Theatre Geeks

Wife-Husband Team Shirley Mitchell and Heywood Banks translate classic story into musical Swamp Opera. When Shirley Mitchell wrote the script and lyrics for a musical version of the folk tale “Froggy Went A-Courtin’,” she asked the man she calls “the King of Melody” to turn her words into the songs in “Swamp Opera.” No, it wasn’t Barry Manilow. It wa...

The Geeks’ theatre Christmas gift recommendations – there’s more out there than you realize! What do you get a theatre geek for Christmas? We’re glad you asked! In this episode, the Geeks discuss the myriad possibilities for theatre Christmas Gifts, starting with a couple of books, some apps, some musical cast albums and even some ideas from the world of antiques. Listen in...

Second City Conservatory student Carlie Barr talks about her work and study at the Chicago improv landmark Carlie Barr Second City is well-known as the launching pad for such talents as John Belushi, Joan Rivers, George Wendt, Tina Fey and many others. But did you know there’s actually a school for improv there, where aspiring actors can learn the craft and hopefully, make it to the theatre&...

Comic Dave Kempher shares his humor and his observations on stand-up comedy, improv and theatre Dave Kempher Dave Kempher is a long-time member of the Geeks’ home theatre group, but has also been honing his chops in stand-up comedy and improv for the the last decade. Currently, Dave appears at open mike and other improv and standup events around the midwest region, and has appeared in New Yo...

The legacy of puppetry innovator Martin Stevens lives on in Northern Indiana (and around the world) Bob Walls, Dave, and Martin Stevens’ Cowardly Lion, built in 1966 and still performing. To the Geeks and many others in Northern Indiana who knew him, Martin Stevens was something of a one-man phenomenon. He was a brilliant artist, performer, storyteller and teacher, but it is his puppets for...

What’s your theatre meter? We Geeks got to talking about plays we’ve seen and NOT enjoyed, and realized that sometimes we don’t actually know we’re viewing a turkey until we start receiving certain signals. Basically, these are physical symptoms that, once we become attuned to them, reliably reflect the quality of plays we attend. Find out more as we discuss our play-rating...

Social media tips from our first international guest ! Facebook, Twitter, Google + and the whole panoply of social media can be important tools for community theatre promotion, but using them effectively can be confusing. Our new best friend, Bettina Horvath of Capetown, South Africa, dropped in via Skype to share some thoughts for making these powerful social media work for community theatre. Bet...

A stroll down theatre memory lane with the Geeks Class play circa 1956 What is your earliest theatre experience? Dave teaches an intro to theatre class at Indiana University South Bend, and one of the class assignments is to write a short essay about a first theatre experience, either as a performer or audience member. Such experiencesare very meaningful and make a difference in how one views the...

When do microphones on stage hurt more than they help a performance? Microphones on stage can be a boon or a bane, depending on the production, the house, the point of view of the director and the skill of the performer(s) involved. They can be a technical nightmare as well, and quite often they affect the level of performance. The Geeks get into all of this in this great episode. Theatre Geeks -...

Make your stage photography tell the story and promote your show The Geeks discuss what’s needed in good, promotional stage photography. Whether it’s to record the show’s progress, preserve a record of the set, costumes etc., or for publicity purposes, your photos need to work for you and tell a good story. Midway through the show, “surprise” guest Deirdre Lovejoy pop...

It’s our 100th episode and Lucky Us! Deirdre Lovejoy joins the Geeks! Deirdre Lovejoy joins Theatre Geeks’ 100th episode to talk about her Lucky Guy experience, her new one-woman show, Broadway and more.  Dede (as we know her) was in the cast of Lucky Guy with: Tom Hanks, Courtney B. Vance, Peter Scolari, Maura Tierney et al.  Deirdre, who was once a player at the Geeks&...

Taking a chance on new talent when casting a play Most directors have faced this casting problem: the known quantity, an actor you know gives a good audition. You’ve worked with him before and you trust him. But a new face, someoone you don’t know, gives a better audition. Who (and how) do you choose. The Geeks talk about this common issue and explain how new actors can overcome being...

The Geeks air some pet peeves about audience etiquette Every once in a while we just have to have another audience smackdown. Whether we’re creating or attending theatre, we are very aware of those audience members who are rude, crude, illegal, out-of-order, loud, boorish and just plain annoying. In this episode we talk about some of our most recent audience etiquette observations. Some othe...

Good theatre productions require an eye (or several) watching the “little stuff”. You’re attending a theatre production of Annie Get Your Gun (stay with us here), and you’re enjoying the production numbers but suddenly realize that one of the women is wearing shoes from today. Or that a character’s dress really doesn’t fit very well. or that the set has an unpai...

At an audition, we’re often asked what role(s) we’re interested in, and sometimes, if we’re willing to take another role if offered. What to do? Many actors say they’ll only accept a particular role, but when there are many parts to fill, a director may offer a different part anyway. At times, a director will feel that an actor is better for a role he didn’t request a...

When it comes to wigs and beards, one-size doesn’t fit all Wigs and beards (and other hairy add-ons) require a lot of care in their selection, use, styling, and maintenance, and this week, the Geeks explore their use on stage. Most community theatres have had the experience of an actor or actress who needs a wig for a particular role, but plainly doesn’t look good in it. There are seve...

Theatre critics aren’t always nice, or fair. Is there anything we can do about reviews we don’t like? Episode 94 Lashing back at theatre critics makes for some interesting news stories, and there isn’t a community theatre actor or director who hasn’t wanted to give a theatre critic a piece of their mind. But is it really a good idea? Inspired by this Playbill.com article by...

Miguel Nunez talks about his journey from community theatre to Chicago’s Theatre Scene Miguel Nunez The Geeks got to know Miguel as Michael Natoli a decade ago when he arrived at our home theatre (Elkhart Civic Theatre) with a thick Venezuelan accent but loads of enthusiasm. It turned out community theatre was just one step along the way to a professional acting career. Today, Miguel is a wo...

Some scripts read well, but don’t play well How do you save the show when the script that seemed great when you picked it, starts looking like a disaster once rehearsals are underway? Community theatre play selection is usually a careful process. Selection committees read dozens of scripts, consider their potential casting, and create a season the theatre’s patrons will like. But once...

Community support isn’t always about the dollars — ideas from an expert Community theatres are nothing without community support, but getting it can be difficult. Keith Martin, John M. Blackburn Distinguished Professor of Theatre at Appalachia State University has been helping performing arts organizations get community support of all kinds for more than 35 years. He joins the Geeks to...

Twelve top rated play excerpts competed June 17-22 in Carmel, Indiana Carl Wiesinger and Brent Graber in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde AACTFest 2013 showed the world that community theatre may be, technically speaking, amateur theatre, but it’s often far above “amateur quality.” Twelve community theatres competed at Carmel, Indiana for the American Association of Community Theatre&#821...

Emerging playwrights and unique plays gain exposure and a shot at publication Casey McLain (left) and Amy Marsh of Samuel French, Inc. The Geeks are joined by Amy Marsh and Casey McLain of Samuel French, Inc., in New York, to talk about the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, a competitive play writing festival now in its 38th year. Samuel French, Inc, is the largest of the theatri...

The more you know what to expect in the unusual world of competitive theatre, the better off you'll be. Here are some of our insights. . . . → Read More: Planning for festival competition? Here are some insights from the Geeks Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

Deirdre Lovejoy’s (and Tom Hanks’) opening night and more from Marcia Marcia and daughter Deirdre Lovejoy in New York in April Recorded before this week’s Tony Awards, this episode features Marcia telling us all about the opening of Tony-nominated “Lucky Guy” with Tom Hanks and daughter Deirdre Lovejoy, plus the revival of “Pippin” and more fun in the Big...

Entertainment attorney Gordon Firemark shares insights about music licensing and more. Community theatres often use recorded music as part of pre-show or intermission, and sometimes within productions. All uses of recorded, copyrighted music require some kind of licensing -- a fact that somehow gets "forgotten" by many producers. The way in which a particular piece of music is used makes a differe...