The Two Dirtiest Words in Theatre
Jay McAdams | Jan 27, 2012 | Comments 11 |
One of the biggest insults to a professional theatre is to be called a “community theatre”. Your average Joe in small-town America who goes to see Arsenic and Old Lace at the local American Legion Hall doesn’t understand why that’s a problem, but theatre people sure know the difference. Even we 99-seat theatre rats here in L.A. consider ourselves to be professional. I know I do. And I certainly consider our shows to be professional. So whenever we’ve been referred to as a community theatre, no matter how innocent the intent, it always gets my hackles up. The nerve!
Having just returned from a professional international theatre conference in Austin, I was feeling particularly professional. On my first day back to work I noticed Willie, a local homeless man who lives around the theatre, leaning against a wall with a couple of guys gathered around him. I went to make sure everything was okay. Willie, it turns out, was soaking wet from the rain and shivering so badly he couldn’t even hold the cup of coffee I put in his hands. Hypothermia, I figured. I went into our costume shop and pulled some dry pants and a shirt for him. I couldn’t find any socks, so I went to the store next door and bought a few pair. Eventually, we called the paramedics, who loaded Willie into the ambulance and took him to the hospital. I gathered his smelly wet blankets, slung them into his shopping cart and rolled them into our parking lot to keep them safe.
Shortly thereafter, a bruised mother from the community came in with her kids seeking refuge from a domestic violence situation at home. One of my staff played games in the lobby with the kids while another staffer listened to the mother, comforted her, and counseled her. The oldest child spelled out words in Scrabble like SAD, HURT, and ANGRY. It was tragic, though I was honored that this mother recognized our theatre as a safe place where she could come in an emergency. She’s never bought a ticket to a show here, but this told me that she holds our theatre in high regard.
I realized that I’d spent half of that first day back to work dealing with these very urgent community issues. Not production logistics for our show in rehearsal. Not marketing our new school show. Instead our work was to help members of our community with things which had nothing directly to do with theatre. I wondered if any other theatres were dealing with these types of things on that day. Probably not. But we are about community, I thought, so it makes sense for us. We are a (gulp) Community Theatre. Those two dirty words, which have always made me bristle and get defensive… now I wore them like a badge of honor.
Filed Under: Featured • jay mcadams • Ponderings
I like this so much Jay. It speaks to the realities of how theatre can be part of a community.
Beautifully written, Jay! Your articles always touch me and this one especially! Thank you for sharing!
There are theaters of all types and some that integrate their community, rain or shine. It’s less about labels than practices. Nice work, Jay.
Dear Mr. McAdams,
I read your piece with great interest. I always thought the disparaging term ‘Community Theatre’ was something to do with the difference between amateur and professional; those who get paid, however little, and those who don’t. I have worked in both worlds and I read your article with a smile on my face. Theatre is and always should be an integral part of the community it serves, regardless of whether the workers within it are paid or not. Bravo, sir, you have my respect and admiration. Your gesture of gentleness and concern was precisely what the words ‘Community Theatre’ should mean, and not the condescending term it has sadly become.
We’ve missed you over here at the Lemon, Jay. And now I remember why.
I echo all of the comments above, Jay. A wonderful article.
Lovely, sir. We inhale our neighbors’ lives so that they may breathe more easily, because if we’re not in this together, we’re in it alone. Also because we can’t help it. A theater exists specifically to explain a community to itself.
Way to go Jay. It’s all in the tone. If they had said that you were a “Community Theatre ” that goes beyond the duty of theatre, it would have been more complimenting…but your actions certainly proved the word “Community” is a badge to be worn with pride.
Thank you Jay for all you do! Community is so important in every theatre, whether it be Broadway or a Middle School Auditorium. Theatres and the artists in them make the world shine so much brighter, and that certainly includes small 99-seat professional theatres throughout Los Angeles.
Oh Jay. This is lovely. Theatre is community. We are all one aren’t we. Thank you so much for sharing. You’ve been my hero for a long time.
So inspiring.