Theatre Geeks

Festival founder Jessica Hardy tells us all about this unique comedy event Chicago Comedy Film Festival Logo Now in its third year, the Chicago Comedy Film Festival encourages and rewards independent comedy film-makers and gives them a venue in Chicago. A few years ago, filmmaker, actress, Second City alum and improv teacher Jessica Hardy and her husband Brent Kado were making comedy “mockum...

Turns out Indiana Repertory Theatre faces many of the same issues community theatres do, including audience building and retention, dealing with changing demands, new vs old works, play selection and more. Janet Allen of IRT joins us for a fascinating episode of Theatre Geeks . . . → Read More: Indiana Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director, Janet Allen Theatre Geeks - community theatre...

Our old friend Jessica Hardy joins us to talk about the value of improv as a discipline for community theatres. Jessica trained at The Second City, and now teaches improv classes in Chicago and Indiana, and is also the co-founder of the Chicago Comedy Film Festival. Jessica can be contacted about improv training at jessica@chicagocomed&#12...

Are community theatre actors made or born? Can anyone be an actor or does it take something special, an innate talent that only certain people have? How much can training overcome an aspirant's basic nature. Heady questions to be sure, but ones the Geeks are definitely up to answering. . . . → Read More: Are actors made or born? Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

Special performances can benefit your community theatre in ways other than income The Geeks discuss their experience with special performances for corporate and other supporting groups, how they can build audience and provide a different experience for your actors. There are certainly some pitfalls but in general, we think special performances are a good idea. (Notwithstanding Dave’s not-so-...

Your “front of house” staff is your public face — use it well. Marcia, John and Dave revisit the front-of-house.  You know, the part where your audience first comes into contact with  your theatre?  It’s just as important as what goes on onstage, and can have a tremendous effect on your patrons’ experience. PS: It’s our 80th episode !  YAY!!!...

Scot Purkeypile talks about his theatre program at a detention center in Northern Indiana In the third live episode, theatre teacher and actor Scot Purkeypile re-joins the Geeks to talk about a unique theatre program he developed for at-risk youth in a northern Indiana detention center. Hear Scot once again talk about the transformative power of theatre. And of course, listen along as we play our...

"Lucky Guy" goes into rehearsals in January with Tom Hanks and Deirdre Lovejoy in the cast. Deirdre Lovejoy joins the Geeks via Skype in front of a live audience at the Bristol Opera House, to talk about her upcoming run in "Lucky Guy" on Broadway.  Sh

Theatre teacher and actor Scot Purkeypile talks about his work with autistic youth. Scot Purkeypile joins the geeks in the first of three live episodes from the Bristol Opera House. Several years ago, along with his work at South Bend Civic Theatre, he

The Geeks welcome Elizabeth Copeman of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford Ontario, who talks with us about her life in costuming and costuming management.

Kurves a little like "Cheers" from the female point of view Texas author, singer and musician (and former community theatre colleague of the Geeks), Amy Shojai, joins us to talk about her new musical, Kurves.   Set in a women's fitness club, Kurves explo

We need your vote in the Podcast Awards. You can vote once a day, every day until November 15, so show us your support.  VOTE HERE.    Theatre Geeks is in the Cultural/Arts category. EVERY VOTE COUNTS. If you're drawing a blank in some of the other pod

Costuming your crew and letting them be seen is often a way to add interest to your show This week the Geeks discuss tech issues, and particularly the idea of using the stage crew as peripheral characters in some shows.  It can solve some technical issue

Ticket prices too high, too low or just right? The Geeks talk about ticket pricing -- how does your theatre decide? Community theatres are typically much lower priced than professionals, and often the quality of the show is top-notch, even at a lower pric

Staged readings: a great way to introduce your audiences to new genres Most community theatres do fully staged versions of their shows each season, but many troupes also bring staged readings to their audiences.  Should your theatre consider doing so? Th

Rule #1 "Pay your royalties!" Jim Giesel, Artistic Director of The Acting Ensemble of South Bend, Indiana and a working playwright,  joins the Geeks for a great conversation about royalties, why they're important how to stay out of trouble, as well as hi

The Geeks discuss the many many ways an actor can blow a theatre audition.

Theatre Geeks news roundup Here are some snippets of theatre news Dave has gathered from around the world, plus links to the full stories. What sort of person is driven to become an actor?   -- Pacific Standard Plans to excavate and restore Rose Theat

Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune talked with Theatre Geeks about what life is like as a theatre critic and how he views his responsibilities as a reviewer.

End Ovation Inflation! Is the standing O obligatory?  Are you sick of it? John, Dave and Marcia discuss the issue of "ovation inflation," a condition in which even shows that don't deserve ANY praise bring the audience to its feet.  Join the Geeks while

Center Stage Software owners Diane and Bruce Rowe join the Geeks for a lively discussion of Wintix and Webtix automated ticketing systems for community theatres and other venues.  Their Webtix product is an affordable option for offering online ticket pu

This week's guest is Ed Trout, Artistic Director at ComedySportz in Indianapolis, Indiana.  ComedySportz is a national network of improv clubs with a family-friendly approach.  ComedySportz Indy offers training classes as well.  Ed tells us about how C

Knock-Knock, it's Theatre Geeks News Love Never Dies on PBS June 2  http://www.playbill.com/news/article/166595-Andrew-Lloyd-Webbers-Love-Never-Dies-Unmasked-on-PBS-June-2 Car Talk, the Musical  --- Finally, people are apparently so hard up for good

Community theatre is still a bargain This week the Geeks discuss pricing of theatre tickets both for community theatre and professional productions, and of course, we get off on one of our famous tangents as well.  Good conversation on an important topic

News of community and professional theatre Dave's back with more news after kind of a hiatus, but things are hopping with the Geeks, and you'll hear more as the summer progresses. Ovation Inflation -- The New York Times -- this is a pet peeve of Marcia