Theatre Geeks

Many scripts are surprising lacking in information about staging, set design, and other details.  This challenges the director and cast to do their research and even re-invent the play to fit a particular theatre and troupe.  The Geeks (John, Marcia and

Mary Olendorf, a 68-year veteran of community theatre, from New Buffalo, Michigan, talks about her years in theatre, the festival system, and the value of community theatre. This is an interview Dave did during the Indiana Community Theatre League Festiv

Theatre Festivals allow for some collegial competition between community theatre groups. In this show, recorded before the Indiana Community Theatre League competition, John, Dave and Marcia talk about the pros and cons of such festivals, along with some

Dave interviews the cast of one of two productions of Martin McDonagh's The Pillow Man at the Indiana Community Theatre League Festival

The Geeks interview Ross Rowland, Past President of the Indiana Community Theatre League, and active festival adjudicator in the USA and internationally.

When the adjudicators (judges) at a theatre festival evaluate the competition, how do they make their evaluations?

Sometimes talented actors can become difficult to deal with, for director, crew and fellow cast members. The diva, or prima donna, can be a special challenge.

What to do about those pesky cusswords?  Many modern plays have explicit language, unlike most of the classics we grew up with.  With changing artistic standards, community theatres often have to make the choice to produce or not produce a particular pl

In this episode of Theatre Geeks, we have more with children's playwright Kevin M. Reese and the Geeks: Dave Dufour, John Shoup and Marcia Fulmer.  The gang talks about the differences between children's theatre (theatre performed for children by adults)

A visit with playwright Kevin M. Reese Children's playwright Kevin M. Reese joins the Geeks for a lively conversation about the art, craft and business of writing, selling and producing plays for kids.  Kevin is the owner of KMR Scripts in the Wichita, K

Donors are the lifeblood of many not-for-profit organizations and community theatres are no exception.  Join the Geeks, plus Rick Ellis and fund-raising/not-for-profit expert Kristin Schwerha-Scott as we discuss the development, care and feeding of your

Youth theatre and children's theatre represent great opportunities for community theatres to grow their audiences and train the next generation of players at the same time.  This week, in the second of three episodes from Elkhart's Daily Grind, the Geeks

The Geeks present their picks for community theatre "must do" plays and musicals.  Classics, contemporary shows, comedies, tragedies, reviews;  they're all candidates, but which will be blessed by the Geeks?  Guest Geek Rick Ellis joins us in this epis

Audience etiquette takes center stage as John Shoup, Dave Dufour, Marcia Fulmer and guest Geek Randy Zonker vent about the things some theatre patrons do to make things less enjoyable for other patrons.

What's the first thing your patrons judge  your theatre by?  It's not the quality of the play.  More likely, it's the cleanliness of  your restrooms, the competence of your box office staff, and the friendliness of your ushers.  These are all part of

In community theatre, lighting is often considered something of a (no pun intended) dark art.  Many theatres consider lighting last, when  it's an integral part of creating moods, adding texture and content, and moving the play's action forward (besides

The Geeks discuss what directors can and should do when the auditions don't bring in enough or the right kind of actors for a particular production.

Guest Geek Rick Ellis joins John, Marcia and Dave to discuss the concept of experimental theatre, what it is, how it started, why theatres should undertake experimental productions and more. Theme music comes from Al Phlipp and the Woo Team via Music All

Holiday shows are a staple of many community theatres' seasons, and they come in all levels of complexity and cost.  But why do them at all?  Don't we get enough holiday spirit from every other corner without feeling like we absolutely have to mount a h

Theatre techies are often given a snub by the actors onstage. In community theatre the tech crew are may be thought of as those folks who come into the production late in the game and just slow down a couple rehearsals for the "real stars" of the show.  

Joining the cast or crew of a play production is a lot like a marriage.  You have to commit to the enterprise, and fulfill your commitment.  Community theatres can't usually fire you or flunk you, so they depend on everyone who volunteers to come throug

One of our listeners, Ashton, asked the geeks to talk about the differences between high school, community and college theatre.  A lot of theatre geeks were originally bitten by the "bug" in high school and decided to stay with it, even if they may nev

How can you make the most of that small role?  And what should you do when you have lots of time before your next entrance?  These and other vital questions are addressed by the Geeks. Also: We announce the winner of the cap contest! Music provided by

(http://www.theatregeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/1169978_73864232-300x225.jpg)Stage managers and their crews are some of the most under-appreciated, yet indispensable personnel on any show.   In addition to giving the anonymous backstage workers a

(http://www.theatregeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/iStock_000009828417XSmall-300x199.jpg)Every actor gets stage fright at one time or another.   The important thing is dealing with it.   In this episode, the Geeks discuss why we have stage fright, in