Today I experienced the first ever Broadway Industry day, where people who work or wish to work within the theatre industry gathered to talk about how to better increase the fan experience. One of the main topics was about understanding the difference between fans, and fans who buy tickets. An often echoed discussion point was that many fans because of time, distance, or money, do not get to attend a Broadway show. Interesting for me for a few reasons. One, that is precisely what the panel I am moderating on Saturday is about, making sure to be a vibrant part of the theatrical community where you live, because art and creativity and community can happen anywhere. Even more important though, is that for years I was that fan who did not buy tickets.
When I was 12 I learned about a musical that had just opened on Broadway called the Secret Garden. I remember we had an awesome music store near my house where you could listen to the cd on headphones before you bought it. A very novel thing in 1991! So I walked over to the store and listened to the Cast Album. I got to the song The Girl I Mean to Be, and with tears streaming down my face, I walked to the counter and bought the album. I spent most of the time from 4th grade on listening to cast albums, seeing community theatre and high school theatre, and dreaming of this far off place called Broadway. I bought books about the theatre, and read everything I could. I had a subscription to Playbill Magazine. I remember quite clearly that the first thing I searched on this new awesome thing called the internet, after my dial up connection finally went through, was about Broadway Theatre. I looked forward to the Tony Performances ALL YEAR LONG. I took my first trip to NYC when I was 18 and became a ticket buyer. I saw 7 shows that trip, and cried the whole plane ride home. Eventually, my passion had me living in Brooklyn for a few years and spending all the time I could seeing shows. I am back in Utah now, and work on spreading my love of theatre through criticism and pushing local theatre companies to grow and build their communities with their art. I come to NYC once a year, and relish in the chance to be a fan who buys tickets, but am glad to know that the industry understands that not all can buy tickets, and a fan is a fan, no matter where they live.
Tonight, I saw a fantastic show called The Play That Goes Wrong, and I will say that this show was an example of how to treat a fan. Because funds are limited on such a trip, we had gotten discount tickets for the top balcony. Without giving too much away for those who may get the chance to see this (which, if it is ever done near you, GO SEE IT), I will just say that it is a bit interactive, and a prominent cast member came and chatted with some of us up in the "cheap seats". It was a humorous interaction, and warmed my heart to see that they remembered that we want to connect, even from up high. Much to my surprise, moments later my theatre going companion and I were told to gather our things, and were escorted by the afore mentioned cast member to two of the finest seats in the Orchestra Section. What a wonderful surprise and moment for us. How awesome for the theatre to understand that increasing our experience would be worth it to us. I am a theatre critic in my hometown, but when I come to NYC, I am just your average fan. I was so thrilled to be given such a pleasant experience, but even more thrilled to know that this type of experience is happening for fans all over. My first two trips to see Broadway shows happened because I saved money for a year to make it possible. As ticket prices increase and Broadway becomes a thing that can sometimes see out of reach, I am grateful that BroadwayCon recognizes the fans that may not be in the theatre seats, and that shows like the Play That Goes Wrong value the guests that come, no matter where they sit. Most of all, I am grateful that artists understand that their work connects us, whether through tears or laughter or fear or empathy or all of the above.
Look around your community, go see a show, go be in a show, go write a show, or find another way that you can be part of this world that is far larger than 41 theatres in midtown Manhattan.
When I was 12 I learned about a musical that had just opened on Broadway called the Secret Garden. I remember we had an awesome music store near my house where you could listen to the cd on headphones before you bought it. A very novel thing in 1991! So I walked over to the store and listened to the Cast Album. I got to the song The Girl I Mean to Be, and with tears streaming down my face, I walked to the counter and bought the album. I spent most of the time from 4th grade on listening to cast albums, seeing community theatre and high school theatre, and dreaming of this far off place called Broadway. I bought books about the theatre, and read everything I could. I had a subscription to Playbill Magazine. I remember quite clearly that the first thing I searched on this new awesome thing called the internet, after my dial up connection finally went through, was about Broadway Theatre. I looked forward to the Tony Performances ALL YEAR LONG. I took my first trip to NYC when I was 18 and became a ticket buyer. I saw 7 shows that trip, and cried the whole plane ride home. Eventually, my passion had me living in Brooklyn for a few years and spending all the time I could seeing shows. I am back in Utah now, and work on spreading my love of theatre through criticism and pushing local theatre companies to grow and build their communities with their art. I come to NYC once a year, and relish in the chance to be a fan who buys tickets, but am glad to know that the industry understands that not all can buy tickets, and a fan is a fan, no matter where they live.
Tonight, I saw a fantastic show called The Play That Goes Wrong, and I will say that this show was an example of how to treat a fan. Because funds are limited on such a trip, we had gotten discount tickets for the top balcony. Without giving too much away for those who may get the chance to see this (which, if it is ever done near you, GO SEE IT), I will just say that it is a bit interactive, and a prominent cast member came and chatted with some of us up in the "cheap seats". It was a humorous interaction, and warmed my heart to see that they remembered that we want to connect, even from up high. Much to my surprise, moments later my theatre going companion and I were told to gather our things, and were escorted by the afore mentioned cast member to two of the finest seats in the Orchestra Section. What a wonderful surprise and moment for us. How awesome for the theatre to understand that increasing our experience would be worth it to us. I am a theatre critic in my hometown, but when I come to NYC, I am just your average fan. I was so thrilled to be given such a pleasant experience, but even more thrilled to know that this type of experience is happening for fans all over. My first two trips to see Broadway shows happened because I saved money for a year to make it possible. As ticket prices increase and Broadway becomes a thing that can sometimes see out of reach, I am grateful that BroadwayCon recognizes the fans that may not be in the theatre seats, and that shows like the Play That Goes Wrong value the guests that come, no matter where they sit. Most of all, I am grateful that artists understand that their work connects us, whether through tears or laughter or fear or empathy or all of the above.
Look around your community, go see a show, go be in a show, go write a show, or find another way that you can be part of this world that is far larger than 41 theatres in midtown Manhattan.
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