Audiences Without an audience, there can be no theatre.

Audiences As I mentioned in my lecture, theatre is a “social occasion.”

Audiences It is important to ask, who makes up the audience at a modern theatre.

Audiences In ancient times, work and all activities would stop for a theatrical performance. Everyone in the village or even the city, would stop what they were doing to attend a performance.

Audiences But nowadays, theatre patrons tend to be two types: - Late middle age or older ( since their children are out on their own ). - Young people who do not have families or many obligations.

Audiences Attracting an Audience: Although there are exceptions, there tend to be two types of theaters in America today:

Audiences Attracting an Audience: Although there are exceptions, there tend to be two types of theaters in America today: * Those that host touring productions * Those that sell subscriptions to a season

Audiences Attracting an Audience: Although there are exceptions, there tend to be two types of theaters in America today: * Those that host touring productions

Audiences Those theatres that host touring companies ( like the Forrest in Philadelphia) have the advantage of having great publicity and shows that generally appeal to audiences. But, their shows tend to be expensive and do not make any creative leaps.

Audiences Theaters that have subscriptions seasons have the advantage that they get their money up front and are guaranteed an audience. Those who attend the shows are also comfortable with each other and tend to know each other.

Audiences Theaters that have subscriptions seasons have the advantage that they get their money up front and are guaranteed an audience. The drawback is that if a show goes badly or well, the season cannot be altered.

Audiences Public Relations: In Elizabethan Times, theatres were not permitted in the city limits of London. Thespians had to set up their stages/theatres outside of town because merchants complained that their apprentices ran away to see the shows, and preachers complained the shows made people idle and immoral.

Audiences Public Relations: Nowadays, however, theatres are often in parks or other open spaces and are a welcome addition to the community. Some are on college campuses and most provide some parking facilities.

Audiences Unlike theatres in the Renaissance which had to have shows in the afternoon, most theatres try to make their shows accessible to all and usually have their performances start between 7 and 8 p.m.

Audiences Most theatres try to make their shows accessible to all and usually have their performances start between 7 and 8 p.m. Knowing that many people like to eat before a show, some theatres now offer a dinner too.

Audiences Small theatres have the hardest time attracting audiences because they usually have trouble scraping up money for publicity. Even if a show does well through word of mouth, it make take too long for this form of publicity to work. The show may be closed before the positive reviews have brought in the audiences.

Audiences To get around this problem, small theatres sometimes pay attention to a specific kind of audience and develop plays for that group. For example, women’s plays...

Audiences To get around this problem, small theatres sometimes pay attention to a specific kind of audience and develop plays for that group. Or plays for a specific ethnic group.

Audiences Serving the Public: There is a popular misconception that theatre is “arty” and therefore run by people who are not practical or efficient. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Audiences Most theatre companies run on a very tight budget and often their members are asked to perform a variety of jobs. In fact, a constant problem with small theatre companies is that their personnel overwork themselves.

Audiences Some theatre companies combine their performances with education. For example, some theatres connected with universities will offer classes in acting, lighting, and set design.

Audiences Some theatre companies combine their performances with education. Many offer summer camps in theatre.

Audiences Other theatres assert that they can make the most positive impact on their audiences by making a social or political impact.

Audiences The Group Theatre in New York during the 1930s insisted that theatre could work as a social collective that could stage plays of social significance. A scene from one of the most important plays from the group, Golden Boy.

Audiences They wanted it to be the kind of theater that had a naturalistic and highly disciplined artistry. They were pioneers of what would become an "American acting technique," derived from the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavski.

Audiences The company included actors, directors, and playwrights. The name "Group" came from the idea of the actors as a pure ensemble; there were no "stars." In the ten years of its existence, the Group Theatre produced works by many important American playwrights.

Audiences Some theatres focus on making the actors have a controlling voice. Some try to develop the skills of new directors and playwrights.

Audiences Others focus on specific fields in the world of theatre such as: Mime theatre Mime theatre Puppet theatre Puppet theatre Clown theatre Clown theatre Poet theatre Poet theatre