tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85088516103085180552024-02-18T21:24:26.437-08:00Director's Notes BlogThoughts, Rants and Observations about the Western New York Dramatic Arts sceneUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-69290010827374209822014-03-23T19:42:00.002-07:002014-03-23T20:26:19.419-07:00The Way of the Dodo Bird; Print Media<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>"I believe they, and all forms of print, are dead. Finished. Over. Perhaps not in my professional lifetime, but certainly in that of the youngest people in this room</i></b><i><b>"--Dan Okrent, Editor for Time, Inc, in his lecture "The Death of Print Media?" (2000)</b></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>In the days of figuring out which direction a liberal arts degree in English would take me, a decision to take up several Journalism classes nearly shaped a major in the field. </b><b> The </b><b>idea that words needed to be structure into fact and presented in a format limited to space was like a Marine drill sergeant barking out discipline to the fragmented pseudo-poetic and public schooling influenced writing style in my early 20's. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Inspired by this writing discipline and career calling, I rounded up a few anti-Reagan cohorts, rustled up a manually operating printing press then launched an anti-establishment paper appropriately called <u>Sparks</u>. </b><b>Whether the topic was supporting the El Salvadorian FMLN or a column featuring "Ask Ol' Joe", the paper hit the campus with resounding "thwack" as the paper provided an alternative viewpoint to the mainstream campus newspaper.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Life was good with four issues out until one day I found sitting next to a Physics major named Gus. With his black horned rimmed glass and an appearance that had rooted ancestry to modern-day hipsters, Gus started a conversation about technology and how it will change our lives; what else does one do on a morning of cutting classes, drinking six cups of coffee and smoking cigarettes? </b><b>"Are you familiar with a network interfacing linking all computers? It is called the World Wide Web?" Asked Gus.</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With caffeine ripping through my brain causing heightened sensitivity, I feigned knowledge. "Why sure; its all part of Richard Nixon's attempt at spying on the nation. It was called the Wire Nation plan-". </span></b><br />
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<b>Gus dismissed it. "No, this is real and happening right now." He then proceeded to tell me about how we will all be able to sign into it, access information, share and communicate ideas by it. "It'll change how we do everything." He proudly exclaimed. </b></span><br />
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<b>I dismissed it. "Yeah, well, that sounds like Nixon's plan." </b></span><br />
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<b>The conversation stuck with me for the rest of the day. A week after this discussion, I walked away from <u>Sparks</u> and the following semester I switch my major back to Creative Writing.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b><b>Much to my financial chagrin I did not have a Mark Zuckerberg moment, but recognized the "Web" was for real and felt it <i>was</i> the way of the future, of how we will communicate and, yes, share ideas and news with each other. Most importantly, I realized all that we were learning about communication in the early 90's could very well become obsolete by the 21st century. </b></span></div>
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<b>The modern-day "birth" of the Internet is not known. The US government began to research ways to build network exchanges between computers in the 60's ( Richard Nixon, anyone?) with most commercial research occurring throughout the 80's and firmly established by the mid-90's as according to the <u>National Center for Educational Statistics</u>,<i> Internet Access in Public Schools and Classrooms 1995-2005, </i>indicating the use of Internet in classrooms went from 3% in 1995 to 92% in 2002. </b><b>After an online social page from Harvard became a household name by 2007, the Internet was fully entrenched into our daily lives and Gus' prediction, inevitably, proved right. </b></span><br />
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<b>Most importantly, an entire generation has now become dependent on the Internet to conduct almost every facet of their lives including how they obtain their information and news. For a Millennial to read a newspaper from front to back is as unlikely as it was for Galileo to rely on a Bible for charting the solar system. </b></span><br />
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<b>As the 21st Century awaits the death of print media, interesting questions are raised for theater companies as they place value on the influential marketing impact of this dying medium for a new generation, and, additionally, does this unimportance effect the individual who's career it became to write reviews for this Dodo bird. </b></span><br />
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<b>According to a Communic@tion Management Inc.<a href="http://media-cmi.com/downloads/CMI_Discussion_Paper_Circulation_Trends_102813.pdf"> report</a>, daily and Sunday papers saw a nearly 60% to just above 30% decline in paid household circulation from the period of 2000 to 2013. Conversely, in a <a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/social-media-user-demographics_b38095">Mediabistro.com report</a>, usage of social networking tools being dominated by the age group from 18 to 49. A 2012 <u>Poytner</u> online article by <a href="http://www.poynter.org/author/jsonderman/">Jeff Sonderman</a>, <a href="http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/175619/the-one-chart-that-should-scare-the-hell-out-of-print-media/">"The one chart that should scare the hell out of print media"</a> shows a rapid decline in print media revenues from 1996 to 2009 with the Internet rising and surpassing in 2008. Sonderman also points out the decline of advertisement spent on print and radio revenue with TV, Internet and mobile saw a dramatic increase in spending. </b></span><br />
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<b>If both print-media circulation and spending on ads are down indicating a shrinking market of users, and if Internet use is on the rise among an younger generation, how can a theater company effectively gage where to spend marketing dollars. </b></span><br />
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<b>That is the risk and reward, but for companies who do not have the resources are at print media editor's benevolence for exposure. With that, for a company targeting a younger audience base, does it matter whether or not a presumed older demographic reading a newspaper knows about a production. Ideally, yes, because the exposure could potentially sell tickets, increase patronage and build audience diversity. </b></span><br />
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<b>Potentially, but that is giving too much empowerment and credit to a dying medium. </b><b>With an increasing amount of online media sources, multiple social media sites and good ol' fashion email blasts, a company can hone in on building patronage based on their creative vision and not diversity. </b></span><br />
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<b>So where does that leave the raptor offspring of the dodo bird known as the print media critic?</b></span><br />
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<b>If readership is shrinking and is an older market, who exactly is the critic trying to write for and what theaters should be reviewed? Additionally, in the age of Yelp, Facebook and other means of <a href="http://westendwhingers.wordpress.com/">online public opinion site</a>s, how much weight does a print media critic carry? That review is stagnate whereas public opinion sites offer ongoing critique that aids in countering negative reviews. </b></span><br />
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<b>Editors may argue that the critic is providing "news" to the masses and without the review folks would be uninformed about theatrical productions, or that those offering blogs or posting online reviews on social media lack any knowledge or expertise of the subject. </b></span><br />
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<b>Theater journalist Keith Tomasek confirms this in a 2012 <u>Huffington Post</u> blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/keith-tomasek/social-media-theatre-critic_b_1605975.html">Theatre Reviews Need More Than a "Like"</a> "As much as I believe that more than one or two people attending a performance might have important and interesting interpretations of the show, I value the knowledge and expertise of the professional critic." Tomasek continues. "For example, amateurs, publishing hasty, post-show "thumbs up" type comments online, are rarely able to differentiate between an ambitious performance that fails and a smaller scale show that succeeds in its humble aims." </b></span><br />
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<b>Not so, according to online blogger (and Boston theater reviewer for 40 years) Jack Craib, of <a href="http://southshorecritic.blogspot.com/">South Shore Critic.</a> </b><b>“I love theater and I try to be positive in my approach,” Craib quoted in an online <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2014/02/23/social-media-spreads-word-for-local-theater-troupes/r9UCPTVSp7AgVf8D5hNIkJ/story.html">Boston Globe article</a>. “I see my role as promoting theater and I’m rarely overly negative. Luckily, there are some great companies in the area, and most of what I see is very good.”</b></span><br />
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<b>Perhaps the over-enthusiastic audience member will get carried away with a tweet, a Facebook post goes above and beyond reason, or the Yelp company review page is flooded by posers, the use does not devalue the importance of social media influencing the demise of print-media and the critic's importance in shaping public opinion. </b></span><br />
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<b>Print media naysayers will keep fighting as evident in News Corp. Chief Executive Robert Thomson <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2013/sep/25/entertainment/la-et-ct-news-corp-robert-thomson-20130924">2013 exclamation</a> "Print is still a very powerful platform...The value of print certainly should not be underestimated." </b></span><br />
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<b>Some are more accepting of the fate of print media by understanding the power of utilizing the Internet by professional journalists, artists and the theater going public. "Already some artists and critics are benefiting from interacting with theatre lovers who relish Twitter, blogs, and Facebook posts by opening dialogues directly with them." Said Keith Tomasek. "This could be bad news for marketing professionals who earn a living manufacturing popularity, but good news for artists, audiences and professional critics who might reclaim some of the authority that was lost during the rush to social networks."</b></span><br />
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<b>No matter what rationalizing pleas remain, print media will inevitably become extinct. Responsively, t</b><b>heater companies should then dramatically shift using financial resources for advertisement in newspapers and seek out online sources of social media including discovering ways of creating new means of marketing and promotion once found effective in print media. </b></span><br />
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<b>Otherwise, companies will join the dodo bird and print media in relevancy. </b></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-38155729120541786772013-12-30T23:03:00.002-08:002014-02-03T07:14:54.423-08:00Honey or Sour Grapes<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The Director's Notes Blog has been silent for most of 2013. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The main reason is the Blog's decision that if there is nothing positive to say then keep quite. I've been told one attracts more bees with honey and not with sour grapes (Although I've seen yellow jackets dive and dunk into numerous glasses of wine that's been left out for a day). </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>So, for the past year DNB has bitten its lip for the sake of playing nice instead of posting some sort of gripe or concern about how fucked up the Buffalo theater's status quo is. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Until I recently read an article by <u>The Buffalo News</u> resident theater critic, Colin Dabkowski entitled "Gusto Looks Back at 2013" in which DNB's favorite agenda journalist writes about how the theater scene has seen rapid growth but has seen a downgrade in production values mainly due to a diluted talent pool. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Dabkowski's post has me scratching my head in wonderment into what he is tying to get at?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Clearly, he makes a general statement that the talent pool is supposedly diluted because of the increasing amount of theater companies in town. Adding that the addition of Lazarus Arena, "The region’s greatest opportunity for creative collaboration and audience building (710 Main Street)" has "buzzed to life in the past year but has understandably not yet realized potential. It has, however, hosted excellent local productions for the first time since 2008, including Road Less Traveled Productions’ Circle Mirror Transformation and Clybourne Park."</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Uh huh. 710, through Rod Less Traveled, has perserved the diversity and theatrical integrity of Buffalo theater, but has not reached its "full potential" after spending 2.1 million to raise the dead? </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Colin Dabkowski has not seen every theatrical production. He reviews shows he finds <u>personally</u> engaging, high-profile, or seemingly needs to dissect for public humiliation. He has missed several well-done productions done by lesser-known and newly established companies. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Dabkowski even admits to using a <u>Buffalo News</u> colleague to provide insight into other productions he has not seen. "...he saw many more attempts at original or innovative productions from new and established companies, and that he took this as a positive step whether or not they came off perfectly." </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>As a result, Dabkowski has not seen the complete utilizing of young talent who have been capable in their execution of roles. His article refuses to identify that there has been an explosion of new talent on WNY stages because of the increased opportunities. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Instead, Dabkowski choses to highlight the slipping of quality due to "the region’s buzzing and highly Balkanized scene has continued to add new companies at a rate that belies the current atmosphere of tepid funding and population decline." </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Indicating Buffalo audiences have keen noses for theatrical amateurism, Dabkowski throws around "amateur" as if it is a negative quality. If there is any negative connotations about being an amateur, that can be reserved for the community theater companies who have done more to dilute the talent pool and spread out the entertainment dollar with their populist theater productions. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>One can't wield a "professional" and "amateur" scale for Buffalo theater. All Buffalo theater companies are, in varying degree, SEMI-PROFESSIONAL, and what separates each company is their budgets. The distinction between what is <i>good</i> theater and <i>bad</i> theater cannot be determined by a misusing the definition of dramatic arts professionalism. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The discrepancy can only be determined by money, and there is a great budget discrepancy between the established, tenured Buffalo theater companies and those groups who are just starting out or been around for 1o or less years. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Low budget companies don't have the resources (because grant and government money is mistakenly going to their high-profile peers) to dedicate to production values. Additionally, unlike their predecessors, these type of companies have to pay some sort of rent to produce works. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>As a result, these low-budget companies have to be resourceful in numerous ways including finding unknown or underutilized talent for productions. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Yet, despite all this, these companies keep producing works. And surprisingly, these productions are better than what one might see in off-Broadway or varying distances away from Broadway productions. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>That's the positive angle you can take from 2013. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Congrats to the new companies Dabkowski mentions, Raíces Theatre Company fills a niche, Buffalo Public Theatre is utilizing a performance space in need of revitalization and paying rent to maintain it, and a new generation company that casts Buffalo veteran actors. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Their presence can only add to a great cultural tourist selling point nobody wants to use when pushing the wonderfully diverse dramatic arts scene. That strategy is reserved for the Shea's billboard bombardment or Musicalfare's Randy Kramer's attempts at being the only spokesperson for Buffalo theater. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Hello status quo. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sadly,<u> The Buffalo News</u> does not have a consistent history of being supportive of original or innovative works. And now added is the fact too many theaters are making for amateur productions. </span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Respectfully, Colin Dabkowski has been adamant it is not his or his newspaper's job to sell tickets. True, but there has to be care when an article puts into the public light that the Buffalo theater talent pool is diluted because of too many theaters and therefore production values are "amateur". </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Because that type of article creates an illusion for Buffalo, Western New York and Ontario patrons the only type of theater to attend in the city is what <u>The Buffalo News</u> cites as being "professional", and that measurement is rooted in agenda journalism, school ties and critical cronyism. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>That honeycomb only attracts flys. </b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-14142256661995105252013-06-26T21:38:00.000-07:002013-07-11T08:20:03.560-07:00Labor of Love<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>An exercise in well-written journalism is on display in the 2013 May/June issue of <u>The Harvard Magazine</u>. Nell Porter Brown's <a href="http://harvardmagazine.com/2013/05/leading-man">Leading Man</a> focuses on established film and stage actor, Nick Wyman, and his fight to "expand opportunities" for entry-level aspiring actors and professional actors. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Wyman has been part of the theatrical labor of love game since first graduating from Harvard in '72 with 15 broadway credits, regional appearances, commercials and film roles including the part of terrorist Mathius Targo in <i>Die Hard With A Vengeance</i>. Receiving his AEA card from a traveling production of <i>Grease</i>, Wyman has remained active in the union and became AEA president in 2010. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>A post Wyman does not receive any compensation for, but is as committed to the position as much he would on a stage or film role. "I realized the people making the decision had a direct impact on my life and livelihood." Wyman states in the article. "I am enough of a control freak that I wanted to be part of that decision." </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>In Western New York, union actors find little to no work within a season, and so lack the incentive or look outside the area for work. Although the region boasts of having 22 <i>professional </i>theater companies, a scan of the production programs will show a lack of AEA actors, stage managers or directors. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Semi-professionals and amateurs will often find a check at the end of a nine-week commitment that barely scratches an one-week, minimum-wage-job, paycheck. Although some companies will compensation near-union wages, and the allure of working at an established WNY theater for $1,000 may entice most actors in this region, when one considers the amount of unpaid rehearsal time, transportation costs, lost hours from the "real" job, the reflective scale of labor to pay is skewed as well. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>For the region AEA has setup a special appearance agreement that pay is based on a particular company's "tier" (One to Four) structured on box-office revenue:</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk-rvDPhfXjFC_P-pbKMD4UqsbommoGAnH7_yfNHmoALjIlPcUIfspfjRE-vBWkXtsmm8uVuEaiTUv94GGjdBCnY1G7_0GqI68qhZ3-ivs9xImzuQu-ICeF4n_KfULMthyphenhyphenEkOqSRk5B4/s1600/SA_Rulebook_Buffalo_Rochester_12-14-stiers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk-rvDPhfXjFC_P-pbKMD4UqsbommoGAnH7_yfNHmoALjIlPcUIfspfjRE-vBWkXtsmm8uVuEaiTUv94GGjdBCnY1G7_0GqI68qhZ3-ivs9xImzuQu-ICeF4n_KfULMthyphenhyphenEkOqSRk5B4/s320/SA_Rulebook_Buffalo_Rochester_12-14-stiers.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbPq94PD9zEc90ozPLmDP4YZEtVCpsTWugUsRDMtGMcwhltckVLQCKlbg6g3_e_oIMzYXdjp0D5MIRBf7b5hgu7VgYBy10TtquHcQ4m2olhsxmKPggETuf4PY2jIgg82vtpaGOaaO2N8/s1600/SA_Rulebook_Buffalo_Rochester_12-14-salaries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB9THb2ryN8L1QicHn9DTSnVzPjPwGUMCCy2Vvhy5sbLTm_4_u6phbyeySNtsWVlL_bddFYTOmjHzOeEe9JJQqmyZfKJj5-n0VRcN-Ahgq7PXCaBr9HGaUo_duE09vqTgKEIfnbj0-Hc/s1600/SA_Rulebook_Buffalo_Rochester_12-14-catagories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB9THb2ryN8L1QicHn9DTSnVzPjPwGUMCCy2Vvhy5sbLTm_4_u6phbyeySNtsWVlL_bddFYTOmjHzOeEe9JJQqmyZfKJj5-n0VRcN-Ahgq7PXCaBr9HGaUo_duE09vqTgKEIfnbj0-Hc/s400/SA_Rulebook_Buffalo_Rochester_12-14-catagories.jpg" width="400" /></b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXHgtO4fmBGndIrGnbYN0cu0uQPF-33bLogI_EVvD9HAuBbfWVGBlHx9XFWEDDaqQF5RY2uxUXVOd32mynX22YD4iJr6iFeE_NK2jXgTcwEc6zaAhil6JxND9xKSh0QZGBoEfXpdu5zA/s1600/SA_Rulebook_Buffalo_Rochester_12-14-rehearsal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXHgtO4fmBGndIrGnbYN0cu0uQPF-33bLogI_EVvD9HAuBbfWVGBlHx9XFWEDDaqQF5RY2uxUXVOd32mynX22YD4iJr6iFeE_NK2jXgTcwEc6zaAhil6JxND9xKSh0QZGBoEfXpdu5zA/s320/SA_Rulebook_Buffalo_Rochester_12-14-rehearsal.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>If an AEA actor is called into a Tier One theater, a company then would pay $1,392 for 7 weeks of employment. Additional cost would come in the form of whether or not the company has a payroll service and/or includes health care into the deal. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Sounds respectful?</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>The $174/week is less than the $181.25/week an individual working a minimum wage job at 25 hours/week. The $226/week at the Tier Two company can be compared to the 30 hours/week minimum wage paycheck of $217. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>This would explain why an AEA actor wouldn't find the incentive or turn down work in a Tier One or Two theater company. Work at a higher tier company makes more economic sense and if a Tier Four company is bringing in an union actor, chances are this would be for a major role worth the creative challenge and economics. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Western New York theater is not a region saturated with AEA actors. Those who carry a "card" and are in demand will find work at the higher Tier companies. What the region has is a deep pool of semi-professional and amateur actors who are just as talented but lack the union label. If a company is faced with making a decision between hiring an AEA actor at $2,500 or bring in an non-union actor at $1,500, the latter choice is a matter of economics and, truthfully, a "no brainer". </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>What this economic imbalance means is that companies with deep pockets can offer in-demand, semi-professional actors contracts that are $1,000 below equity scale (and will not pay for rehearsal), offer $700, for rehearsal and entire production, to actors in secondary roles, then give $400, same schedule, to gleeful out-of-college and amateur actors for ensemble work. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>The pecking order fallout continues. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Semi-professionals and amateur actors then chose to take roles for $700 over a chance to play a major role in a company that can only pay $300 per show leaving companies to cast those who are either truly committed to their craft but have great day jobs, or unproven, unknown talent established companies won't risk the investment on. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>In the article <a href="http://harvardmagazine.com/2013/05/leading-man">Leading Man</a>, Nick Wyman understands the "economic difficulties and downward pressures" facing companies and the AEA as both strive to find a decent working wage. He also understands that companies are in the awkward position of now having to field commercially accessible works to remain financially viable. These companies are generating profit but creative new works are being ignored. In the process, more emphasis is placed on profit and not opportunity. "The rich get richer and the poor go out of business." Wyman states in the article. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>I recently spoke with an young actor about taking roles for a company that doesn't pay as well as the established theaters. The actor informed me that although the roles presented in the past were challenging (and through recognition brought other opportunities) the pay was not worth the time and commitment involved. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>It was about money. Fair enough. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Later in the month I saw this actor doing a local TV commercial, and knew the pay for doing this spot and perhaps others was a lucrative opportunity overshadowing any creative, craftsmanship. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>It <i>was</i> about money. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>In the theater business there is a fine-line between the work being a labor of love and receiving compensation for craft. The idea that in Western New York theater there is this salary cap which companies measure for value, and the remaining pay-scale is based on illusion, has to be reevaluated. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>If the AEA operates in Western New York Theaters, then all theaters should adhere to the union pay-scale based on the tier system. All actors should then demand to be paid fair wage otherwise refuse to work in that particular theater. Unfortunately, going back to Wyman, the commercial companies would remain rich and those who seek to bring originality to stage would go out of business leaving several talented non-union actors less opportunities to follow their craft. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>The other option would be for tier one and two companies to agree to set a unified pay-scale for non-union actors. This would allow continuation of opportunities, wage-friendly scales to counter the downward pressures facing theater, and the elimination of mercenary actors only looking for the best paycheck not challenge. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Theater is a labor of love, and those in the business do it because there are no other choices as best described by Wyman in the article, <i>Leading Man, </i>"We do this because we are junkies. We have to. We've gotten a taste of this in elementary or high school when we were on stage and people laughed, applauded or cried, or that most of precious audience moments: utter, breath-holding silence."</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>This <u>is</u> theater, but if an actor can skillfully provide all what Wyman says then a reward should be given. The challenge for Western New York theaters is to start agreeing on what this reward should amount to. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>In the end such an agreement can only strengthen the theatrical community and continue to provide opportunities to both union and non-union actors, stage managers and designers.</b></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-32850390027743399112012-09-12T14:13:00.001-07:002013-05-21T11:15:59.270-07:00A Bread and Circus Worth $60 Million<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The Director's Notes Blog is back from a wonderful summer hiatus.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love the fall. For me this period of the year marks an end one season but the beginning of another one. Arts organizations announce their upcoming programs, fans and AC are off in favor of more cooler nights for sleeping, and one of this nation's favorite past-times gets underway as the ol' pigskin is kicked-off from the tees of Pop Warner sandlot leagues to the overpaid, gladiators who don NFL licensed and Nike sponsored gear.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As strange as this may sound from a blogger who dedicates his time on writing about topics that surround arts organizations, I deeply love football. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seriously. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Get me a good game of college ball or a rivalry between pee-wee leagues or high schools, and I am into it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Indeed, football has a place in my heart...and schedule book. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't know why. I never experienced going to a large high school or grew up in a metropolitan area. Our "midget" football teams were part of small farming communities going by the names of Brocton Bulldogs, Ripley Eagles and the Sherman Cowtippers. These small towns fielded squads of 25 or 30 kids, with numerous players holding defensive and offensive positions, or scrupleously known to innocently go "both ways". </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rivalries did exists but nowhere on the magnitude of two large schools going at it over the past fifty years. No sir, these games were played under dimly lit fields or in daylight with hometown crowds topping out at 350 with packs of kids playing "kill" behind the bleachers. League champions took home $1.50 "gold" plated statues of facemaskless players in some unmovable Heisman contortion. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I read about the recent opening of a $60 million dollar high school football stadium in Allen, Texas, a small suburb outside of Dallas, my jaw hit the floor. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Approved by a school board of 5,000 student in May 2008, this state-of-the-art stadium will host the Allen Eagles, <a href="http://alleneaglefootball.com/">a high school team noted for excellence with state championships</a> displayed in the trophy case. This highly touted program generates 15,000 to 20,000 fans per game and filled the sprawling Jerry Jones' (owner of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys) <a href="http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/">Taj Mahal 100,000 seat stadium</a> with 50,000 fans during championship games. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With a high school band numbering 800 there is no doubt this is big-business in Texas. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But is this necessary? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Although this was part of $120 million bond package that included a modernized performance arts center worth nearly the same amount, was it necessary to spend this much money on a football stadium at a time when nearly all school districts in American are making deep cuts to budgets and the laying off teachers. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, to the "state-of-the-arts" performance arts center because of the long reach of influence this has on the student body and, ultimately, the community, but, a football stadium? I don't understand how that will benefit the entire Allen student body. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course it is a matter of economics and part of that Texas mentality of "big, big, bigger" pride, but one cannot help but to think about the ever ongoing arguement to whether or not sports should be a tax-funded program in the educational system. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let's just assume that the Allen school board decides to not fund construction for a new stadium and reinvests the $60 million into developing a job-training facility? Or creates a research facility for student to devise new energy technologies? Either possibility would result in a well-trained student body prepared for the 21st century.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What then to do about all those rabid fans clamoring over their Eagles? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Much like cultural institutions, a majority of funding for a new stadium can could from the private and business sectors with members of the football team and coaching staff coming up with creative fundraising events. If these efforts fall short of the $60 million, then as is the case with cultural institutions, the stadium will have to be built with limited funds and within budget restraints. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Unfortunately, the Allen Eagles stadium has been built, opened the 2012-13 season and currently is 2-0 heading for another state championship. I am sure the next new $60 million dollar stadium is in planning, precidence has been set, and some school board is itching to have their monument to amateur football. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And built it they will. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Meanwhile, American children lag far behind in science and mathematics, their communicative skills are being reduced to 145 word tweets and do so as communities continue to undervalue the importance of Arts in education by approving budgets that cut programs and teachers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh well, right? We have our bread and circuses under the Friday Night lights, and do so in 60 million dollar comfort. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong><i>Matthew LaChiusa is the Executive/Artistic Director for the American Repertory Theater of WNY and is a avid football fan. His passion for the game came from his father Louis and his uncle Steve Nichols from his Pop Warner "midget football" days as a member of the Westfield Golden Hawks</i>.</strong></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-64993856236625072642012-06-01T11:45:00.001-07:002013-08-07T05:49:45.575-07:00The Lazarus Arena<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">In early May 2012, an announcement that WNY regional production house, Shea's Performing Arts Center, was purchasing the 710 Main Street fossil called Studio Arena. A collective "yea" was raised among the community as the lifeless shell of the once proud LORT house had new life breathed into it.</span> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/answers-expected-on-former-studio-arena">Curtain will rise again at Studio Arena: wivb.com</a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This prompted a positive reaction from numerous representatives from the Buffalo Theater community as all saw some sort of benefit to be had by this resurrection. Spokesperson and board-member for every conceivable Arts agency, Randall Kramer jumped at the PR opportunity and happily announced "Its an exciting day for theater, but also for arts in Western New York." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Scott Berhand, who's company Rod Less Travelled had the distinctive honor of being last production that closed the doors on Studio, generically exclaimed "...a big win not only for the theater district but also for the entire theater community." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How so? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shea's Executive Director, Anthony Conte indicated the <i>new </i>theater would accommodate production companies from Cleveland, Rochester and, even, New York City. "The key on our part is to assess, evaluate, if we think XYZ show can sell in Buffalo" as Conte indicated the focus is to sell tickets and not originality.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This would mean Lazarus Arena would be importing productions and exporting revenues (minus the portion of what Shea's takes out) to communities outside of Buffalo. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not so the case as Conte also indicated that local theaters and college companies will be included into the production scheduling. The stipulation is that a 625 seat theater will certainly require local theaters and college companies to have XYZ shows to fill atleast 200 per night to cover costs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Again, not sure how this will benefit Buffalo Theater. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Perhaps those local theater representatives most overjoyed about this announcement will be the only ones with an active part in bringing in their own productions. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And why not? If you're aiming to fill 625 seats on a nightly basis to cover the production cost alone, then safe XYZ bets are sing-along, jukebox musicals or celebrity endorsed (or casted) productions. Hell, that model worked well for Studio Arena in the past why not follow the same plan again?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Right? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is acting method to understand a role by looking at the "sub-text" of a script. This in-between-the-lines method assists the director and actor in gaining a sense of the character and scene, thus having insight into story's bigger picture and the characters placement within it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is the "sub-text" of having Lazarus Arena back among th</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e living theater scene? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lost ticket revenue. All those lost-souls Studio subscribers who sought out other companies and supported them in the absences of Lazarus Arena will now funnel their money back to this establishment (providing they're still alive). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lost Public and Foundation money. Having the reputation through Shea's parental affiliation, this <i>new</i> production house adds its tin-cup to the thinning soup-line of public and foundation money and will get a greater, warmer portion than the ones in the back of the line. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Placed in a region of shrinking populace, the emergence of another entertainment source furthers dilutes the artistic diversity this city prides itself on. If there was a sense that Buffalo was on an economic rebound and a hard-factual indicator the population was on the rise, this rising of a dead dinosaur would seem appropriate. This is not the case. There is not enough dramatic art supporters to spend money on Lazarus Studio and then find the resources to attend lesser known companies putting on diverse and unfamiliar works. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">An argument could be made that those patrons who actively look for diverse and unorthodox theater will continue to support theater who maintain this creative mission. For these companies, the existence of the <i>new</i> Studio will not effect their box-offices. It just means companies are left to fight among themselves for the "scraps" of these particular patrons' support. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally, when it was mentioned that theater companies would rather sell 625 seats instead of 90, there is an underlying message sent to Western New York theaters. Pack the patrons in, put on safe XYZ shows with celebrities or out-of-town talent, and don't spend your money on diverse and/or unfamiliar works (unless these have been commercially successful elsewhere). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With all that said, alongside the giddy automated generic responses, some sort of positives takes should be taken from this Lazarus taxon. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The job creation from the resurrection will mean several folks will find employment as box-office people, lower-teir admin positions or production crews (providing the Local #33 is brought back). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Having the "lights back up" on 710 adds a nice touch to Main and is crucial to the rejuvenation of downtown Buffalo. This boost could mean increased profits for local businesses resulting in an increase of job opportunities for out-of-work waiters, dishwashers, bartenders and pan-handlers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hotels could see an increase in stays as out-of-town performance companies need to house their imported talent for a performance's run. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And... I'm running out of positives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Who knows what type of impact this will have on the community? No official studies were made public, no questionnaires were submitted to the community, no polls, no input and no plans were to be seen. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgq2lXF97E5eHnBu4eb0a-j8qobsOCrLz-6feZfZYGY35W040xpLs71culWRug655yAho7CMXdTNby_mQlbI3cQ_1wu27JDf-5MzFNsMNxERGaXTqS7tOyFEIIxRBy-_UuxC5MjYVJ94/s1600/Comedy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgq2lXF97E5eHnBu4eb0a-j8qobsOCrLz-6feZfZYGY35W040xpLs71culWRug655yAho7CMXdTNby_mQlbI3cQ_1wu27JDf-5MzFNsMNxERGaXTqS7tOyFEIIxRBy-_UuxC5MjYVJ94/s320/Comedy.jpg" width="281" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just a solo 2.1 million dollar bid for a building left dark for the last four years. Faith would have us to believe that the business plan put into place to secure that much money would be more than the vague, generic responses to this public announcement. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Still Anthony Conte is confident with some sort of plan in place to bring Lazarus Arena to the forefront of Buffalo theater, but echoes the gamble of such a venture, "We still will be taking a certain amount of risk." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No doubt. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A 2.1 million dollar risk in which the rewards are uncertain? Anyone for a trip to the Seneca waterfront casino. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">C'mon Lazarus, roll a lucky 7.</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JuNN6-EkJSo?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></span><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-50040801676146694792012-04-18T16:26:00.002-07:002012-04-19T06:47:48.750-07:00Spending Resources & Building Audiences<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This past September when the Artistic Director for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_Actors_Studio_Theatre">The Carolina Actors Studio</a> Theater, Michael Simmons came to Buffalo to take in a production of ART's <i style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.artofwny.org/1112season/FloydCollins/FC.html">Floyd Collins</a></i>, he told me something insightful about the way he runs his theater's marketing and promotions. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"I get $500 per month to spend on marketing," Simmons said while being interviewed for the <a href="http://wnyvoices.info/wnyvcs/archive/arch.html">Voices of WNY Artists Internet Broadcast</a>. "I chose to return that money back to the theatre." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Amounting to $6,000 per year, I promptly questioned why he would chose to return this opportunity to promote his productions.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Simmons pointed out the number one source of advertisement that gets folks into the door is simply word-of-mouth. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In addition to this approach, a local well-known restauranteur once told me that when starting up a food-business that you should invest $1,000 in initial promotions to get the folks into your place and let word-of-mouth take care of your advertisement from on out.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So, its not the shiny package; its what is inside. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Fast-forward to February 2012 and while driving on the 33, I spotted a billboard for a local theater's special event/fundraiser First thought that popped into my mind was "that's expensive" and then a trickle-down thought was "where did they get the money for that considering everyone is bitching about how strapped they are in the wake of Erie County budget cuts and a weakened economy." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Was this a line-item in the budget approved at the beginning of the fiscal year, or was it a sudden windfall of cash that enabled the theater to take out a high-profile billboard on a highly trafficked road.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If its the latter, I understand sometimes a show brings in a couple of extra dollars and a quick decision is made to promote a future show or event with this surplus money. Of course, the shrill hoot of Michael Simmons is being heard in North Carolina, but, each company has its own way of spending resources and building audiences. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Spending resources and building audiences.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Realistically, and contradictory to Simmons, an Arts organization has to divert a portion of its revenue into some form of marketing or publicity. This investment can come in the form of postcard and posters while other expensive advertising outlets include the dead-tree media, radio and/or online sources. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">WNY cultural organizations cannot rely on the local media sources to consistently give previews of works and productions, so inline with what the restauranteur said, there has to be an initial push to get folks interested in the work and through the doors. After the show, providing its good, these folks will go out and tell their friends to catch the production. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In 2009-10, the American Repertory Theater of WNY spent about $482 in snail-mail postcards, posters, brochures and other marketing items. Budget constraints or windfalls did not allow ART to do any additional beyond-budget promotions or marketing for the remainder of the season. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Comparatively, more established theater companies invested a higher amount of resources into marketing, publicity and advertisement. The amounts gathered through 990 statements on <a href="http://www2.guidestar.org/">Guidestar </a>indicate these companies, despite being in the middle of a "budget crisis" show a considerable amount of money given towards advertisement. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In the 2009-10 fiscal year, the less-established Road Less Travelled spent $17,366 in 2010 on marketing, publicity and advertisement. Conversely, two heavier hitters in the WNY theater community, Musicalfare and Irish Classical Theatre Company spent, $66,495 (Musicalfare) and $67,766 (Irish Classical) on these budget items. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Against those numbers, smaller companies and independent artists cannot compete for the public's attention. Leaving them </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">to rely on less-reaching social networking, email blasts (most likely blocked as spam), posters (with a two-day shelve life) and other highly resourceful yet inexpensive means of promoting productions. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What can be done?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Cultural organizations have popped up in Buffalo claiming to be an advocate for the Arts in WNY. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">These groups could create a "bulletin board" ad for local media sources. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">For example, the <a href="http://theatreallianceofbuffalo.com/"><u>Theatre Alliance of Buffalo</u> </a>(TAB) requires members to place a comprehensive group schedule in their programs so patrons see what other companies are doing. Its effective because it draws attention to other productions and may send these patrons to see the work. The downside is that one has to be a member of TAB to reap this benefit, but the template could be used for other organizations. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, as of 2012, none of the cultural agencies have taken the initiative to create a promotions program for smaller companies and independent artists.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://greaterbuffaloculturalalliance.com/">Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance</a></u> boasts on the website "proud to represent the community of WNY" but does not offer any means for small companies or artists to promote upcoming works. It does list the steering committees members with web-links, but no other sources of promotion are sighted. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The newly formed <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ASIwny">Arts Initiative Services of WNY</a> has a Facebook page that folks can post information they've already pasted on their pages, but haven't seen any opportunity offerings for companies or artists for dead-tree, online or radio media. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The playing field remains uneven.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Ultimately, a theater company or arts organization has every right to reap the benefits from a successful season, a well-planned fundraiser or community donations based on reputation, and spend this money in whatever way it sees fit. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The question of <i>fairness</i> comes into play only when funding comes from public or independent fundraising groups relying on donations given in a random manner. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In a balance process, public money or donations from independent organizations, for example, <a href="http://www.giveforgreatness.org/" style="text-decoration: underline;">Give for Greatness</a>, should result in an equal share of this distribution. Each company receives "X" amount (nothing more or less), and they can spend the gift in whatever manner best serves the company. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Another process needs to be implemented is lesser-than companies and independent artists receive a bigger portion of funds to, at the very least, be on advertisement par with their contemporaries. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">By getting funds reflective of their established peers, to be strictly spent on marketing, advertisement and promoting, these companies will have a greater opportunity to become more visible and increase ticket revenues. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This would be the first step in leveling the playing field and add more diversity to WNY's cultural scene. As for the bigger economic picture, the broadened range of entertainment could act as an economic catalyst, in terms of generating cultural-tourist dollars, and stimulate growth for both private and public sectors. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Not sure if this could become a reality. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Foundations look to reputation and familiarity, Public money follows the same route and independent fundraisers will implement some formula that benefits those with bigger budgets. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Who truly suffers in this disparity are the actors and designers who put in hard-work and effort to present top-notch theater only to find small houses as a reward. There are great productions are being overlooked because the of the lack of funds to market the work in a broader means. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Indeed, Michael Simmons has a point in saying word-of-mouth is a powerful tool in promotion. Simply allowing smaller companies the same promotional opportunities to bring in more "mouths" isn't some difficult paradigm shift. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It just takes the vision to see that this region benefits when the "Haves" include the "Have Nots". </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eVD5YXpFMBA?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-28001172801623233772012-02-10T13:29:00.000-08:002012-02-11T05:58:10.708-08:00A World of Twit<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How can we describe the first decade of the 21st century?</span> </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>One could always "tag" a photo of it and put the picture on <i>Facebook</i>, but FB is becoming so...so complicated, lame, obsolete and seems to be following the same irrelevant path as it's sleeping drunk-uncle-on-the-couch predecessor, <i>My Space</i>. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The antiquated email is completely out of the question because who has the time to answer all those bulky paragraphs of words organized into complete sentences</span>? </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>No, the first decade of the 21st Century can be summarized in a mere 140 words or less entry, and the best means for a rapid spitting out of 140 words or less is the choice of Hipsters, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and all Americans alike.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Twitter</i>. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>This fast-food version of social networking has become the most dominant force in communicating abbreviated opinions and loose-change ideologies complete with a new language comprised of non-vowels and substitute spelling. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>A simple "U gt 2 C ths Vd on Utb", is the new Shakespearian language soaring across countless <i>Twitter</i> accounts as one tries to get the message out of some stupid video of a kitten trick uploaded on <i>You Tube</i>. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Indeed, this is the new American language.</span> </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>To get an understanding of how dominant <i>Twitter</i> has become consider the recent Super Bowl XLVI record for most tweeted sports program ever. The matchup between The New England Tom Brady's and the New York Giants recorded over 12,223 tweets throughout the game. An astonishing 10,000 tweets per second (tps) were made in the final three minute. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Madonna's lip syncing mid-game showcase recorded 10,245 tps making that fiasco the first Super Bowl halftime performance to set this mark. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Putting how staggering these numbers are into perspective, one has to look at other events that have (or have not) shaped the world we live in and the amount of tps they received. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Beyonce stuns all at the VMA 2011 awards and <i>Twitter</i> records 8,868 tps in reaction.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tim Tebow's electrifying Jesus enhanced 2012 playoff OT victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers managed even more tps at 9,420. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Notable events but less tps numbers include the death of Steve Jobs at 6,049, the 2011 earthquake on the US East Coast at 5,550 tps and the devastating apocalyptic Earthquake/Tsunami/Nuclear meltdown trio that hit Japan rated 5,530 tps. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>But to truly understand where America's mindset is, one of the most important news stories of the 21st Century only could only manage 5,008 tps. That was on the day that the world found out US Navy Seals killed Osama bin Laden. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>That's 3,860 tps less than Beyounce's revealing maternity secret and 5,237 tps less than Madonna's ridiculous attempt at showing the world she's still relevant. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Some could argue that less folks were using <i>Twitter</i> in May 9th, 2011 than a week ago and therefore less people were scurrying to their Smartphones to tweet this awesome news. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay, sure.</span> </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am going to go out on a solid oak limb and say that this discrepancy is all a matter of priorities. </span> </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Folks want to tweet their 140 bag-o-scrabble word opinion on whether Madonna was truly lip-syncing or MIA really flip-off the camera instead of expressing a political view or opinion on the "disposing" of one of America's greatest 21st century enemies. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Unfortunately, this is the American society we live in, and regardless if one chooses to ignore <i>Twitter</i> or not, this form of internet social networking is here to stay. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>What is increasingly evident is that this form of socialization is becoming the communication norm. Those who find themselves without <i>Twitter</i> accounts will soon become part of online nomadic tribes in search of the "Land of Milk and Conversation". </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Apart from the marketing and publicity end of twitting, can the Arts survive in a world of Twit?</span> </b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>If language is truly being broken down and American society (if not globally) is becoming a world of 140 or less words, will the idea of Art and creativity hold up to this social networking ADD? </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>According to an online article by <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/feb/23/art-twitter-twart">Ruth Jaminson</a> of <u>The Guardian</u>, the possibility that <i>Twitter</i> breaks down an elitist idea that the process of creating art should be confined to studios; furthermore, the finished product can only be seen by those who can only afford to see (or purchase) the work. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Ms Jaminson asks, that by "following an artist (on <i>Twitter</i>) as they create a new work can democratize art or simply demystify the creative process behind it--or both?" </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Bollacks. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Art in whatever form, music to dramatic, needs to be structurally organic in order to draw upon that one quintessential element that connect artist and viewer. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Humanity.</span> </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tweeting about the creative process or sharing the finished work does not replace that simple connection felt when an individual can see, hear, touch or listen to an artist's work. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>This interaction is what bonds us as humans.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>We have to accept <i>Twitter</i> as being part of our lives but it cannot replace the humanity behind creativity. </b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Our ability to communicate has been one of the greatest tools we, as humans, have created. This tool has been instrumental in building some of the greatest pieces of literature, artwork, music and film. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>We cannot allow this ability to be reduced to 140 words or less. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Otherwise we will be in a world of Twit. </b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Matthew LaChiusa is the Executive/Artistic Director of The American Rep Theater of WNY. He does not have a <u>Twitter</u> account but ART does. To follow ART just hit the @artofwny and your <u>Twitter</u> world is complete. </i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-82486445347512152212012-01-11T08:09:00.000-08:002012-01-11T11:09:12.151-08:00A Success Story of Sorts<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As 2011 drew to a close and the New Year was ushered in with dropping balls and cheap champagne toasts, I contemplated the first Director's Notes blog of 2012 to kick off this new set of 365 days. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What big sizzler could I start the New Year with?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A blog about how the <u>Buffalo News</u> Arts reviewer Colin Dabkowski's non-sensical, written near-deadline columns that do absolutely nothing for the WNY Arts Community as a whole? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Nah, that can go without saying.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The over-saturation of yuppie magazines like <u>The Block Club</u> that are comprised of 85% advertisement with the the rest of the glossy garbage filled with cute, psuedo-urban/intellectual articles about the same city faces and the same city places?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Boring, like those magazines. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">How some cultural groups, who receive Erie County public, Fund for the Arts and/or Give for Greatness money, can take out full-page ads or purchase time on billboards dotted along the 33 despite the Cultural Groups facing tough economic times? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Intriguing, but that seems to be status quo. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So there I was, staring out the window at a green January when the phone rang. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">On the other line was an American Repertory Theater of WNY alumni, and a friend of mine. We started the conversation off in a pleasant exchange but their voice began to waver and eventually crack after this person told me about some impending medical news that could have dire consequences. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In the Arts World, we are constantly reminded of the human condition. Once in a while, we come across a work of art or a particular theatrical piece that moves and brings us to closer to humanity without the realism behind it, a la "Art Imitates Life". </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Then there is the real "life".</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When one hears about another's fear of the unknown, in whatever circumstance, this expressed realism truly connects us as human beings. We don't hear the words or see the actions synthesized by an actor, a painter or musician. That emotion is coming from a real place and not some pretended creative action. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There I was chatting with this individual about the possibility of their leaving Buffalo to be with family depending on what the medical report determines. In this conversation there was tears and sadness, but not because of the uncertainty or the potential inevitable outcome. It was because this individual was emotionally burdened by the thought of having to move to join their family and would have to leave friends and this "wonderful" theater community behind. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Real life.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This individual may be faced with mortality and yet it was more emotionally devastating to contemplate leaving this area and all the good things this person has been part of. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What makes this even more compelling is that this individual did not grow up in this region and attend the same high schools or colleges like all Buffalonians. When this person moved to Buffalo, there was nobody they knew and, yet, was able to carve out a great acting career and build a good circle of friends. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">These are the types of human condition stories that fly under the radar yet contain so much richness and speaks volumes about this community.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As we finished our conversation, this personal revelation effected me far more than a play with fake British Isle accents. The obvious effect being eventual mortality and a perspective of one's life while underneath, upon further rumination, the context of this person's story in the region we live. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Despite all the external (and internal) distractions, the Western New York Arts scene is a strong community. Indeed it has as many problems as a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic uncle during the Holidays, but there are some good folks trying to make the best out of this community without having to be seen as the spokesperson for every Arts advocacy group. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And the first thing they do is make the conscious choice to remain in this area. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have faith that my friend will beat this medical setback and return to ART's stage, am proud that this person has included me in their circle of friends, and, regardless of the perceived sadness, find this individual's story somewhat of a success for us who remain in Western New York and continue to be part of the Arts community. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Onto 2012. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-75668058027859318122011-12-12T16:01:00.000-08:002013-08-07T05:53:47.309-07:00Professional: An Overused Adjective?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>There are over twenty theaters in the greater Buffalo region and a dozen or more outside the city limits.</strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>For the average theater goer, every weekend they have a choice of attending a theater specializing in juke-box musicals, a theater that focuses on issues surrounding the homosexual community, a theater that presents works to young minds, or among the theatrical diversity, a pro-union theater that doesn't hire equity. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Plenty of options with something for everyone in this city. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Yet, with all these choices, a patron could easily become disorientated, confused and in search of some clarity to which theater they should attend. To the rescue comes forth a catchy word issued by Buffalo theater groups to help these poor, lost souls find their way to the right company. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>What is this buzz-word foghorn? </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>In a recent interview with </strong><a href="http://www.buffalospree.com/Buffalo-Spree/November-2011/Onstage-Noteworthy-in-November/"><strong>Buffalo Spree Online</strong></a><strong>, a director for a local theater company had to say this about a production of Tracy Letts, "He's a very important playwright in American Theater," stating the obvious, "(our production) may be the first professional production of his work in Buffalo." </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Can anyone spot the catch-phrase? </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Try this, "A Professional Theatre at D'Youville College," or this, "A non-for-profit professional musical theatre dedicated to quality musical theatre." Not yet? Try "Western New York's only professional regional theatre." </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Indeed, the word <i>professional</i> is wielded around like some great tool that separates those theater companies from the lesser-thans, and leads folks through the haze of diversity to their doorstep. By using this bold word, they loudly proclaim, "We pay our actors and therefore our productions are good", and, by golly, the people believe this to be true. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>So.</strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>What is a <i>professional</i> theater? </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Although there are no clear rules outlined in a theater manual, three classifications of professional theater have been defined. The first is amateur theater in which the actor does not get paid, the second is semi-professional theater in which the actor does get paid but not to union scale, and the third is professional theater in which all involve get union pay-scale or are of Actors Equity Association (AEA) and Local Stagehand #33. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>The last Buffalo theater that hired mainly union and belonged to the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) closed its door when Studio Arena filed for bankruptcy in March 2008. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Based on the definition above, evidence points out that Buffalo theaters are semi-professional and, regardless if they pay an actor $1,000 or $10 a show or hire one AEA member and pay the rest a lower scale, the lack of an union pay-scale (including payment for rehearsal time) places them at this classification. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Then is this use of <i>professional</i> misleading? </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>There is the argument that the use of professional indicates a commitment to bringing a sense of quality performances to the stage because those who are on stage have the drive and passion to be actors. The pay justifies their dedication to the craft. In turn, the production benefits from this <i>professional</i> commitment. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Others use the argument that when a actor<i> professes </i>his or her belief in what they are doing, this defines them in the true sense of the word. In turn, this is what makes them a <i>professional</i>.</strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>AEA and Local 33 says a professional is someone who gets union scale. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>The definition of professional is broken down into several explanations. Two definitions that stand out list professional as being "following an occupation as paid job: engaged in an occupation as a paid job rather than a hobby," or to be "very competent: showing a high degree of skill or competence." </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>A third definition can indicate what most theaters mean by being professional, "Businesslike: conforming to the standards of skill, competence, or character normally expected of a properly qualified and experienced person in a work environment-'professional attitude'." </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Ultimately, whatever label is used really doesn't matter. What's in a name? Five years ago not one company spelled theater with an "er" and now there are at least three that do so. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Does the spelling effect what is presented on stage? Absolutely not. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>What matters is the leading of people through this saturated haze of theater diversity by labeling the work presented on stage as <i>professional</i>. This label creates a way of separating one theater from another by having patrons assume that because the work is define as such, this is the type of performances audience should attend; regardless of what work is presented on stage. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By using a misleading label to define some sort of pedigree, theaters that use the word <i>professional</i> deceitfully place themselves in a higher position over their peers, and create a comparison grade for audience and media members. This affects </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">box-office sales, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">theater reviews and the reputation of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lesser-known and community-based theater companies. </span></strong></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Whether or not the quality of works presented could maintain a professional "grade" (as according to the definition), the label should be removed unless companies decide to go completely union and join LORT. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Of course this is expensive and in this economy placing the <i>professional theater</i> label is a cheaper move.</strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Despite whatever label is used, what matters is what is presented on stage. If a theater is presenting solid works with solid acting, they can call themselves whatever they want. If an actor feels he/she is doing the best work and is wholly committed to the role and dedicated to the process, then they can call themselves whatever they want. If the tech crew is providing a solid backbone to every production, then they... okay, you get the point. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Start paying them AEA or Local 33 scale on every production throughout the season, then everyone can claim to be working in a <i>professional </i>theater. </strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /><strong></strong></span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SaEPTPwovYw?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Matthew LaChiusa is the Executive/Artistic Director for the semi-professional American Rep Theater of WNY, Inc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Western New York's only professional regional theatre"comes from the now defunct, and Buffalo's only LORT house, Studio Arena.</span></strong></span></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-44649817504427215172011-11-01T09:17:00.000-07:002011-11-02T13:29:42.106-07:00The Bills Make Me Wanna Shout "F**K YOU"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="250" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PHbnQXsyDrE?rel=0" width="390"></iframe></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Ranking somewhere between The Chicago Bears' ridculous 1985 "Super Bowl Shuffle" and the San Diego "Super Chargers" fight song, the Buffalo Bills' adaptation of the popular 1960's tune "You Make Me Wanna Shout" maintains moderate irritation akin to a small yapping dog. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="246" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x27ykw" width="390"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27ykw_chicago-bears-superbowl-shuffle_music" target="_blank">Chicago Bears - Superbowl Shuffle</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/jpdc11" target="_blank">jpdc11</a></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This regional fight song has been buried over the past few NFL seasons as the Bills wallowed in mediocrity, and, frankly, fans had more to "shout" over the area's NHL team, the Buffalo Sabres, and that team's successes. Woefully to most WNY sports fans, football season ended and hockey season began in October. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Not in 2011. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Roaring out to one of the best starts in almost ten years, The Buffalo Bills have dusted off the vinyl, cranked up the cassette-deck and have begun, once again, to make fans "wanna shout" with this fight-song blaring over the PA. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Buffalo Bills are now being considered contenders.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The early season success is also a great for the fans. Western New Yorkers somehow base civic pride on the regions sports teams' success, and with enough of this civic pride, will begin to view all other non-sports regional events with an approving nod.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Seriously, would the recent Buffalo Architecture Convention been a success if the Bills were 0-6. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Despite all this feel-good giddiness by Western New Yorkers, one man is not happy with the present situation. He's an old-timer, not prone to compromise, but has seen Hall-of-Fame results because of this unwillingness to follow-the-leader. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This man's name even appears on the stadium in which the Buffalo Bills renewed the concept of winning football games. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Ralph C Wilson, longtime owner of the Bills, is not happy with this stadium bearing his name. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Rumors and speculations that Mr. Wilson plans to take the Bills elsewhere have been swirling around for several years. He holds this looming reoccurring threat like a Sword of Damocles as Erie County does everything to make Ralph C Wilson a happy man. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Wilson signs an <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/bradlockwood/2011/10/25/at-home-in-toronto-the-many-futures-of-the-buffalo-bills/">5-year, $72 million, agreement with Toronto's Rogers Center for one game</a> per season and so taking away a home-game. "Not a problem", says Erie County, "as long as you keep the Bills here, Mr. Wilson, take those local dollars across the border." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Wilson refuses to grant naming-rights to the stadium. "No big deal," says Erie County, "we'll make up that 7 to 10 million by giving you another tax-break." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Wilson says negotiating<a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/article612849.ece"> a lease tying the team to WNY</a> depends on upgrades to the stadium, Erie County illustrious czar <a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111027/SPORTS03/111027004/Taxpayers-likely-pay-upgrades-Ralph-Wilson-Stadium">Chris Collins says</a>, "Sure and the unscientific estimate of 40 to 100 million dollars to upgrade will be passed along to WNY and New York State taxpayers." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Wilson says the Bills will hire an outside <a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111021/SPORTS03/111020023/Buffalo-Bills-hire-architectural-firm-conduct-study-Ralph-Wilson-Stadium?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CBills">architectural firm to research the upgrades</a>, Erie County simply bends over and quietly grunts. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So why the regal treatment?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The Buffalo Bills generate roughly 20 million in tax-dollars per year for New York State. There are mixed estimates with the amount of revenue a single Bills game (home or away) pours into the local and regional economies. Between grocery store, bar parties and parking lots cash transactions, the amount is hard to track. One fact is for sure, the Bills, on gameday, generate profit for Erie County and regional businesses. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Enough reason to bow-down to King Wilson?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Although tax figures do show the yearly venue generated to be 20 million, the 1997 lease cost New York State $120 to sign the Bills to stay in Erie County (with $63 million in stadium upgrades). The lease expires in 2013 which amounts to 7.5 million/year over the 16-year lease. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The Bills play 16 games (more if they make the playoffs) in a 12 month season. Although the money generate throughout the one game/week over 4-5 months is positive, there is not a constant flow of income </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">pertaining to the Bills </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">over the remaining 8 months. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And yet King Wilson still gets the royal treatment.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As Erie County and New York State enter into lease negotiations with Ralph C. Wilson, one hurdle to open talks will be the stadium upgrades. The second one is the real possibility that Wilson will ask for more than the paltry $120 million paid in 1997. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">WNY is steaming forward to the Erie County Executive election, so is Collins simply playing the campaign-talk card? Does he really feel, despite his anti-taxing Republican stance, that taxpayers should shoulder the cost of upgrading Ralph C. Wilson Stadium? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Sure, in his mind, its the cost of doing business. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The same mentality Collins shows towards Cultural Groups when he determines some are economically viable than others.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">After all, it's the price of doing (and creating) business. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">But when does this tremendous amount of money given to one business based on the principle of economic viability end? This same business that leases a building open only seven days a year while on the 8th day it pimps-out their product to a glossy city that thinks its trendy to have a NFL (not a regional) team. This same business that the CEO refuses to generate income by charging another business to put it's company name on the building, yet keeps his own name on it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Regardless if one belongs to a Cultural Group or a fan of the Bills, this amount of top-heavy tax-dollar poured into one business has to be concerning, and should require the simple question being raised to whether or not the region can (or should) support a high-priced commodity. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Think about how that tax-free money could go towards improving school systems, roads, developing cultural tourism and assisting small business to succeed. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The honorable movement of Occupying Wall Street has tremendous merit despite whether folks think the effort is revolutionary or foolish. For the movement calls attention to this type of National unbalance we currently (and locally) see with Ralph C. Wilson, his tax-break galore business, and those in a lesser income tax-bracket who struggle to find work. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Maybe the time is right for WNY taxpayers to start occupying One Bills Drive. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">That, or redefine what exactly the Bills "make you wanna shout" for. </span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Matthew LaChiusa is the Executive/Artistic Director of the American Repertory Theater of WNY, Inc. Matthew is a big sports fan of football, hockey and college basketball, and believes corporate America is killing the competitive spirit of these sports. </span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-44839126237936671172011-09-23T08:15:00.000-07:002013-05-21T09:00:26.802-07:00Roger Brucker on FLOYD COLLINS
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger Brucker</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">On September 17th, author of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>TRAPPED! The Floyd Collins Story</u></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">, Roger Brucker took to the American Rep Theater of WNY stage to chat about Floyd Collins, the Great Save Cave and the stories behind this great Americana tale.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Before the performance, Mr Brucker engaged patrons in the history behind Floyd Collins and the characters involved then briefly answered questions. Being elusive in order to not be a spoiler, Mr. Brucker reserved some of his answers until after the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><b> Floyd Collins</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> performance.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Roger Brucker's cave history began at an early age when, according to his website "he hid in closets behind hanging clothes so that nobody could find him...and built his own caves out of card tables, chairs and blankets."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Throughout the 50's & 60's, Roger Brucker began to explore the vast connective tunnels of the Crystal Caves located near the famed Kentuckian Mammoth Cave systems. His mission was to find a link to both underground systems. Successful in his attempts, Brucker, with Richard Watson, authored <i>The Longest Cave</i> in 1976<i>, </i>depicting his efforts in finding connections between the Flint and the Mammoth Cave systems.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Inspired by the caving efforts of regional folk-hero, Floyd Collins, Brucker then set off to explore the Sand Cave system; the same area surrounding the tragic events surrounding Collins. His efforts would be the basis behind the book <i><b>Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins</b></i>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Upon exploring the unstable conditions of the cave, Brucker recalls in his website biography, "It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life." His efforts in the Sand Cave, including reaching the spot where Floyd Collins became stuck, yielded his and Robert J Murray's accurate depiction of the 1925 events surrounding this Americana story.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So much accuracy, that several years later Adam Guettel and Tina Landau used the book as a "Bible" in obtaining information to write the musical <i>Floyd Collins</i>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">American Repertory Theater of WNY was proud to host Mr. Brucker for the evening and both patrons and cast members found his related and relayed stories of Floyd Collins, the Sand Cave and the many characters surrounding this story to be informative, insightful and entertaining.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"This is as close as I'll come to the real Floyd Collins,"said a patron. "Its like having a living history book to fill in the blanks."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Afterwards, Roger Brucker graciously said that the production by ART of WNY was one of the top-two <i><b>Floyd Collins</b></i> productions of the twenty he has seen. "The only performances in the same league as this was the College Conservatory in Cincinnati." He told patrons.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A sprite man in his 80's, Roger Brucker stayed well past the show's end answering questions and sharing his thoughts on the material. At one point, shying away from singing the original Ballad of Floyd Collins instead deferring to the talent on stage for that purpose. "I'm a caver, not a singer." He joked.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">American Repertory Theater of WNY was proud to bring in this accomplished author and truly appreciates the once-in-lifetime experience of meeting a "living history book". ART would also like to thank Mr. Brucker's publicist Fred Anderson for making the arrangements and seeing this absolutely entertaining evening through.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is what collaboration is all about.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhBlAAgsYvFObrp4dllANFS0HlLMvSAk4Cs-xhP0EhSUc2CIlAIu8jvVhr_ePHXPJFM2vleOxqBj8W9T_SUeANdPu_3oS8Kq9NntEVYOOjxY8nNWuLaqWc8rOShkU-ok2q_f16t3pN4M/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhBlAAgsYvFObrp4dllANFS0HlLMvSAk4Cs-xhP0EhSUc2CIlAIu8jvVhr_ePHXPJFM2vleOxqBj8W9T_SUeANdPu_3oS8Kq9NntEVYOOjxY8nNWuLaqWc8rOShkU-ok2q_f16t3pN4M/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Roger Brucker (seated) with cast of ART's FLOYD COLLINS</span></td></tr>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Matthew LaChiusa is the Artistic Director of the American Rep Theater of WNY. He is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to meet Mr. Brucker and share in the history of this great Americana Story. Brucker sent an email a day later expressing his thoughts on the production say <strong>"Its a sleeper show and those who go will see one of the best performances they will ever encounter...Its a show to thrill the soul."</strong></span></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-67730506343789481912011-09-01T11:36:00.000-07:002011-09-02T07:56:54.671-07:00Mark Poloncarz: A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing?<object height="290" style="height: 290px; width: 400px;" width="400"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/SrYwWKuACNo?version=3">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Recently, I received a posting from Facebook about an event that sponsors financial support for Erie County Comptroller, Mark Poloncarz, bid for County Executive against, and loathed by Arts Groups, incumbent Chris Collins. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=238945889482756&notif_t=event_invite">Entitled Friends of the Arts for Mark Poloncarz Fundraiser</a>, this event is schedule at the Cabaret Restaurant featuring "Food Live Music", a cash bar at a cash bar and, most importantly, "meet the candidate" for $25.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">For those in the Arts Community who would like to see a photon torpedo sent into Darth Collins' Death Star backside, the event sounds like a positive step in bringing down the Evil Empire. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">With that said, I am going to sound like a Debbie-Downer, Poloncarz party-farter. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Who is Mark Poloncarz and what can he do for Western New York's Arts Community?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">From his <a href="http://markpoloncarz.com/">website</a>, County Comptroller Poloncarz has been effective in being a "taxpayer's watchdog" and has "called out wasteful spending and irresponsible actions" in attempts to hold government accountable. Additionally, under his watch Erie County credit rating has "increased 4 steps...to the current rating of A2" indicating his background in private-section business has been effective in the overseeing of County budgets. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As he launches his campaign to oust Collins, Poloncarz paints a lovely picture of imagining a better Erie County in his video ads (as seen above) by electing an County Executive who "actually cares" about the taxpayers and will place the people first by "always remembering who his bosses are." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I can see why anti-Collins folks are giddy about this candidate. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">His rhetoric is strong as he understands that Libraries and the Arts are important in creating a better community, "The Arts are one of the basic underlying principles of a strong economy", he states in his website section <a href="http://markpoloncarz.com/enrich-our-community/">Preserving Our Artistic and Educational Assets</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With the local economic impact of the Arts briefly stated, Poloncarz shifts emphasis on the importance of libraries during "difficult economic times" by informing us that "Libraries improve our</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> quality of life </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and act as an essential educational resource." He enforces his belief that a reduction in "economic and educational resources" will lead to less access to these "essential services."</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"A library acts as a lifeline. When people cannot afford books, CD's and DVD's, they turn to libraries." He concludes. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Somewhere in Erie County one can hear a hearty cheer from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://slawny.org/">SLAWNY</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> being raised. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So what about Mark Poloncarz's thoughts on how to better Erie County Arts groups?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We already know about the economic viability of the Arts but he states nothing about HOW he intends to fund (or WHO gets the funding for that matter) the Arts. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Collins also understands the economic viability of the Arts but choses to fund what he believes to be relevant to the County's economic engine. What is going to separate Poloncarz from Collins' platform? A lesser of two Evils? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">How he plans to fund the Arts is an important response and transcends political affiliations, the mentality of "anyone but Collins" and the desperate belief that rhetoric, and not detailed plans, fix problems.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Recently I sent a list of questions designed to have Poloncarz detail his plans to fund the Arts and keep them viable. Two weeks later and I have not received any answer or indication that these questions reached the candidate. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If one is feeling lucky, contact Poloncarz through his website by clicking </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://markpoloncarz.com/voice-your-opinion/">Voice Your Opinion</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and ask for clarity into how (who and why) he intends to fund Erie County Arts. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Ultimately, these question should be answered clearly and directly (without donated $25 for an opportunity to "meet" Poloncarz) before the Arts Community throws its powerful endorsement behind him and any other candidate that asks us to "imagine" a better community. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am not saying Poloncarz is just another politician with a feel-good message as much as stating, simply, that public </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">funding is dwindling away and those in Arts Community have a tremendous stake in who creates policy. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We cannot afford to throw away our endorsement on a politician who has a positive soundbite designed to electrify a disenfranchised voter block. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Buyer beware!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O8m2LpYGV0E?rel=0" width="400"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Matthew LaChiusa is the Executive/Artistic Director for the American Rep Theater of WNY, Inc and is a huge Ramones fan. He also believes that Mark Poloncarz is more "user friendly" than his opponent and has the potential to be a good County Executive. </i></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-46976839879753584202011-06-23T11:25:00.000-07:002011-11-30T06:25:17.677-08:00Old School: Cronus Style<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Beginning with Buffalo State's Senior showcase in February, several student showcases and auditions have yielded a new crop of talent ripe for the opportunity to present their craft on stage. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seeing the audition process of these young folks is rewarding and injects a sense of anticipation for the next season. I also find it refreshing for the simple reasons of renewal and rejuvenation. And there is a true sense of hunger and a willingness to present their best to have a chance being on stage. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This effort reflects the true spirit of what it means to be a professional without a mercenary attitude commonly found with their "established" peers. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yet despite all their efforts and talents, these young faces seldom find themselves on WNY stages unless the theater company has a need to cast younger actors, the theater has to put on a play every month to pay rent or the theater makes a concerted effort to hire inexperienced actors.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And not all of this is bad for those companies who hire these unknown and unproven actors that can't seem to break it into the Buffalo theater scene. Labeled as "Community Theater", groups including John Pirrone's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><a href="http://www.Redcarpettheaterproductions.com/">Red Carpet Theater Productions</a> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and Doug Kern's <a href="http://www.rockinghorseproductions.net/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3366ff;">Rocking Horse Production</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000099;">s</span></a><i> </i>are<i> </i>producing good pieces of theater using </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">untested</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> actors. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Otherwise, young aspiring actors finds themselves with little opportunities in a region saturated by theaters. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Why is this? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The answer can be best that professional Buffalo theaters utilize what is familiar without taking risks. With established actors, a director knows exactly what they are getting. Need a one-dimensional angry Hitler-type actor, just bring in so-and-so. Need a frumpy big-mouth, just bring in so-and-so. It's a simple call-back to read, match-up and the role is theirs, or the role is precast well in advance.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Is the deeper issue a matter of the slow gradual acceptance of what is considered new or unfamiliar among the established Buffalo theater community. If this is truly the case, then no wonder younger actors leave this area to seek work elsewhere after a season or two of small walk-on, resume building roles.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Some fortunate young actors with a great look and talent do find themselves in lead or substantial supporting roles with established theaters. Unfortunately, after a season or two doing the same role at the same theater, these actors relocate in NYC or elsewhere only to be seen a year later doing the same role at the same theater. The direct result of these young actors never being challenged to create or find a role that is different from the previous stint and being told to do what they did in their last role. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And what about the aspiring young directors and playwrights? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Unless they produce a work at the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.infringebuffalo.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Buffalo Infringement Festival</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the opportunity for these young creative minds to get work with established theaters rarely happens. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Buffalo is always overruned by confused youngsters", said local playwright Justin Karcher in a recent online conversation. "Buffalo has the potential to be a generational and cultural hotspot, much like Seattle in the early 90's, but what is holding the city back?"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The factors mentioned above as well as the acceptance of change at a reasonable pace, or a matter of those who sit in established positions eliminate new ideals because they threaten the very foundations in which they sit. Or as Karcher puts it "A geriatric feudalism" that keeps fresh, innovative ways of creativity outside the castle walls because these ideals expose an outdated monolithic artistic system. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is what is "holding the city back."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622932876022594066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uJQYpjxGLbw8YkjX4IvTgspNcwx1j-gJbhMsvS69m9jjBgQTLTI5AylsgdMBPhzj5ha955YzyTaRMb9_-_70gOWCWZGTcjO_H9QFWbCsDVwM4bDyk_stgxu31L7fgszjGwAUAF4z-kM/s320/200px-Cronos_arm%25C3%25A9_de_la_faucille_%2528harp%25C3%25A8%2529_contre_son_p%25C3%25A8re_et_divers_m%25C3%25A9daillons_pierre_grav%25C3%25A9e_crop.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 269px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In order to survive in the 21st Century, the Buffalo Theater community should start embracing of the unfamiliar and unproven instead of swallowing the threat like the Greek titan Cronus did with his children. Recent collaborations are indicating that companies are beginning to understand new and fresh ideas, while utilizing unproven talents, can introduce a new market to the Dramatic Arts and create grant opportunities with these unions.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Broader attempts at collaboration would mean that those in position of power and the BOD's of established theaters would have to relinquish some artistic control to a group of youthful unknowns and unproven actors, directors and playwrights. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That would mean taking a risk and, unfortunately, in this economy and age of financial uncertainty, the "sure-thing" is the best and safe bet.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But despite this unwillingness to embrace new ideas from it's elders, the younger generation is not giving up without a fight. "Buffalo is a lot like Cronus; it eats it young so they don't take over." The playwright Karcher concluded in our conversation. "My voice will find itself and, in turn, attract an audience." </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Karcher's voice is one of many young voices straining to be heard in this city. Despite all the challenges facing them, the younger voice is one of this community's greatest assets. As a creative community, we cannot lose this voice and should do all that within our abilities to produce and advocate it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Otherwise, ask Zeus what happened to Cronus. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Matthew LaChiusa is the Executive/Artistic Director for the American Repertory Theater of WNY. As for practicing what one preaches, ART of WNY's mission is to support a new generation of American playwrights and utilize the region's creative assets including unproven and unknown talent. </span></i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-76244828911328580572011-04-26T20:21:00.001-07:002011-11-30T06:26:58.942-08:00Dabkowski Gets 1 1/2 Stars<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sometimes a person's heart and/or intentions are in the right place, but then, unfortunately through action, they try to offer opinion that ultimately creates damage than actually helping out a cause.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We've all been there.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This can be applied to the recent Sunday article featured in the </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Buffalo News<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Spotlight page written by local theater critic, Colin Dabkowski, mysteriously entitled "</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/columns/colin-dabkowski/article401447.ece"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The</span></span></a></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/columns/colin-dabkowski/article401447.ece"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">aters should pool resources to stay afloat</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">."</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It pains me to write a blog response to this article for two reasons.</span></span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600301872707254402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIQ4Fv1v7aYe2hsH9xh15wITzbhyphenhyphennhstxBYDYqxVcsuYs61EkVN0wQQ2bK-yzuO4XzTLEOQsttVXo3XwF1hqoGPqQUP2ulzu_Ut9ztJUFZunKbHuuHae0_l2_xDogqifN884vUBUtFAo/s200/Dabkowski.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 190px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 140px;" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Firstly, Mr. Dabkowski does a great job with his columns focusing on issues facing WNY Artists and Cultural Groups. Knowing that the only daily newspaper in Buffalo reserves space to follow the local arts is comforting as well as the weekly input of Mr. Dabkowski's articles reflects to the general public an outsider's opinion on a particular subject facing the Arts. This, in turn, offers a fresher (or newer) view on a subject as opposed to hearing the same old Cultural Group representative repeating the same old Cultural Group mantra.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The second reason is the inevitable damning of American Repertory Theater of WNY to a future of 1 1/2 star ratings if Mr. Dabkowski decides to start sending himself to review productions. Perhaps it may be a good time to look into taking out ads in </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Buffalo News<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to soften the blow?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But to be frank, Mr. Dabkowski's article is perhaps one of the most irresponsible and misconceived journalistic pieces authored by this theater critic. If his work was to undergo the same scrutiny his newspaper places on theatrical productions, Mr. Dabkowski would get a 1 1/2 star rating. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let's begin with Mr. Dabkowski's title that suggests the pooling of theater's resources could be a way of "staying afloat." </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As indicated in his article, it is no stroke of brilliance to understand that local theaters </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">should</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> collaborate in order to save costs. Everyone from Herr County Executive Collins to an 60-year-old patron has suggested this mode of operation as a way of saving money. But what Dabkowski fully fails to recognize is that local theater companies shy-away from collaborating because, as recently said to me by a local theater's artistic director one evening at Founding Fathers, "You know that's impossible because everyone is doing their own thing."</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The main reason Buffalo has "a sprawling theater scene" comes directly from the fact that individuals, not being able to practice their dramatic arts, became frustrated with a closed-in theater scene and set-out on their own. If one looks at the past 25-year history of Buffalo theater, there are several examples of this due to the clique-infested, artistically myopic-driven, entrenched feudal system of Buffalo theater. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As splinter groups emerged, the idea of collaboration became less and less appealing. This fostered the practice of these "newer" theatrical companies, who became increasingly established, to become insular, like their predecessors, and force a newer generation to seek establishment of their own companies because of the same reasons. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And so on.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dabkowski fails to recognize this historical point and simply choses to lay claim that a majority of Buffalo theaters open shows that are half-baked and encourages the theater going patron to attend closing night because of the inability of the less-resourceful theater's production to "cohere before the curtain goes up." </span></span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600344887829707330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVopbnF1uzVb6kCy3Xogi1DM-VpGMAZcdGxun0FkaPgYO4Zutn6N5f2hfUcfd1dMHYWp8_tzTampgQ86z3uwtIYJZ5JbrsREttWUqdfptagjKtMqVC_gXWwaQC9htt8LfVXTSNDOXN49w/s320/Untitled.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 150px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 200px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The relevancy of this suggestion (besides driving patrons to closing weekend and creating box-office nightmares) and why theaters should pool resources because of this result is unclear. Perhaps Dabkowski could be sending some sort of plea to those theater companies who have rent-free space to grant rent-free (or a minimum fee of $10/night) rehearsal space with those "have nots" so they can come up with some sort of well-done grilled piece of Filet O' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Steakspeare</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> on opening night.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Akin to a pepper rub, Dabkowski throws around the term "resource" like some tire-gauge of what is good and mediocre theater. Further indicating that because of resources those who "have" can produce a 5 or 6 show season of fully baked theatrical presentations on opening night. Those with less "resources" who attempt to produce the same amount are doomed to mediocre Hades. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I agree with Dabkowski in that sometimes its a matter of quality as opposed to quantity.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The truth of the matter is that those more established theaters with "resources", because of arrangements or deals years ago, pay little to no rent unseen by most of Buffalo's contemporary theaters. In turn, these companies can conduct four to five weeks of rehearsals before the "curtain rises". That money saved on rent (and in some cases utilities) then can go towards talent and tech crews that expedites the rehearsal process. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">With all this going, a company with "resources" should damn well have their shit together by opening.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In these economic times, the deals made to theater companies twenty years ago will not exist again. Any theater company attempting to start up in Buffalo will most likely have to rent or take out a lease on space they will have to modify into a performance room. When Dabkowski mentions that some theaters are "happy to put out six or seven (or more) under-baked productions a year" indicates he does not recognize the fact </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ome companies are forced to pay rent or close up.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now I can hear those Economic Darwinians from the back-row, but this survival game is the same one being played by Collins as it pertains to Cultural Groups who need public money to keep existing. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What's the difference?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Should these types of companies collaborate? Absolutely, and, in essences, reflect what Dabkowski is trying to express. The problem with this comes down to the simple economic fact that in order to pay rent and utilities, these companies would have to ask for numbers that could crush any startup theater companies' budget. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So the choice becomes whether a rent-paying theater should sub-lease to another company with faith that rent and utilities will be paid, actors and staff will be somewhat compensated and whatever resources are not depleted by this joint venture. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Or simply keep producing on their own piece and avoid this uncertainty. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It may be safe to assume that twenty-five years ago when folks were performing in living rooms, school auditoriums, cramped modified spaces, or on the Nietzsche's backstage, the question of being underbaked on opening night was not being raised. Instead the positive statement of "I'm doing my dramatic art and I love it" was being made. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And most likely, patrons and those enamored with the now defunct Studio Arena were making claims that these small, splinter theater groups were mediocre, underrehearsed, had poor production values and were overproducing. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">With that, Mr. Dabkowski should be relieved and happy to see these small underfunded groups never listened to the criticism or he wouldn't have a reference point to deem what is good and mediocre theater.</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/68N0c6WaabE?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';">Matthew LaChiusa is the Artistic/Executive Director for American Rep Theater of WNY. His own work, "Axeman's Jazz" and two other ART productions (Greater Tuna & Last Meeting of the Knights of the White Magnolia) have received 2 1/2 star reviews from Colin Dabkowski. And for the actors, EVERY night is opening night...</span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-2322426061238235622011-04-01T11:49:00.000-07:002011-11-30T06:28:17.788-08:00America the Dumbified<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: georgia;">Besides the now increasingly harrowing weather reports, a recent national report in the past month has caught my attention. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;"><em><strong>Newsweek</strong></em> gave the US Citizenship test to 1,000 Americans to test their knowledge of their country's past and present history. The result yielded a staggering 38% failure among those who were tested. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">To understand the difficulty level of this test, I both took the Newsweek </span><a href="http://www.newsweek.com/2011/03/20/how-dumb-are-we.html"><span style="font-family: georgia;">condensed version</span></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> and the multiple-choice, full version </span><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0104/Could-you-pass-a-US-citizenship-test/Who-signs-bills"><span style="font-family: georgia;">US Citizen test</span></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. With the Newsweek's abbreviated non-multiple choice test, I answered 12-20 questions correctly (60%), and with the multiple-choice format of the US Citizen test was able to correctly answer 86 out of 96 questions (90%). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">Click the links to take the tests and see what I mean. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">Both questionnaires were relatively easy with a majority of answers located in part of my brain not visited since 8th grade history. Several questions I answered wrong because of either getting lost in a number game or a quick rush to hit the check box without taking a second to reconsider the choice. And truthfully, without further excuse, some questions I didn't know or simply fail to recall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">But what about my fellow Americans? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">According to the Newsweek report, 44% percent surveyed did not know the Bill of Rights while 73% of Americans did not know why we fought the Cold War. And among the percentages of failure, the most shocking was that 6% surveyed didn't know what day we celebrate American independence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">Is this forgetful thinking? Or being too hasty in recording an answer? Or is it because of the overwhelming dependency on having information at easy access that Americans are losing track of how to remember simple facts and figures? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">Or care? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">History is a tremendous asset of knowledge. American philosopher George Santayana's classic quote "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it" best summarizes the importance of knowing the past. If society is failing to recognize historic events that shaped the country, what is it doing to remember the history that shaped cultural aspects of the country? That answer can be found without punching into the iPad or Droid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Not too much to nothing at all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">Alarmingly, American children are receiving little to no art or music instruction. According to a 2005 Arts Advocacy report, 40% of American elementary schools do not have an Arts teacher. Additionally, a 2008 Center on Education Policy report noted a 35% decline in "time devoted to music and art instruction since 2002" in part due to the emphasis on standardized testing and districts limiting or, "there are indications that 41 districts or 12% of the nation, do not offer arts instruction at all." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">As a result, these children become adults with little to no understanding of music or art. Combine this with the disconcern with knowing important country history and this makes for a dumb American. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">Fundementally, a dumb American weakens Democracy's effectiveness. For an educated society will learn from past mistakes and refrain from the latter part of Sanayana's quote. The uneducated one will only seek to fill what is perceived relevant through subterfuge which leads to division, intolerance and unacceptance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">If American society can be redirected towards revelant historical knowledge, then the focus can also be shifted to understanding the relevancy of arts and cultural in the community. This enlightenment would replace the talking-head mantra of "because its a way of life" with a base understanding of the historical accomplishments of the Arts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">The late, great American techno-fi writer, Michael Crichton repeated this about history, "If you didn't know history, you didn't know anything. You were a leaf that didn't know it was part of the tree." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">If Americans keep chosing to bury themsleves in the techno-isolation of social networks, the latest gadgets and video game indulgence, then history will be forgotten along with all those cultural aspects that make us civil. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">And with that gone, history will be primed to be repeated. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/M5mjN32G1iI?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="400"></iframe></span></div>
<em><span style="font-family: georgia;">Matthew LaChiusa is the Artistic Director for the American Repertory Theater of WNY, and is a huge American Civil War history geek.</span></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-59315788234509312692011-03-16T11:05:00.001-07:002011-11-30T06:45:27.366-08:00Finally...Transparency<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 21px;">Better late than never.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">Through a posting on regional arts advocacy group's, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/home.php?sk=group_140779599304444"><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Empower Arts Buffalo</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff9900;">,</span> social network page, a representative from the Theater Alliance of Buffalo provided a </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://greaterbuffaloculturalalliance.com/news.php"><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">link</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"> to the Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance's detailing the rationale behind recommending cash-strapped cultural groups that should receive a portion of the recent $430,000 The Fund for the Arts donation .</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">Although the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-size: 130%;">FFA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> press-release associating the donation and the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> is dated February 28</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" style="font-size: 130%;">th</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">, the information was finally made available to the general public as of March 16</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" style="font-size: 130%;">th</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">.</span></span></div>
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">This rationale behind how </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> qualified potential recipients is relatively precise and generally lays out the mathematical equation into how a cultural group was to receive this one-time donation. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">Making clear </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> executed this process fairly, the release says "Every organization on </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA's</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> list received a Erie County contract...whether it was a reduced amount or received zero payment." Stressing to those seeking clarity, "All organizations thus defined were included regardless of whether or not they were members of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">And so the process of </span><em style="font-size: 130%;"><strong>whom</strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> was included is defined.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">The </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> press-release details the mathematical equation of how the money was allotted based on a 20% reduction "across the board" of what may be considered money Erie County was supposed to have provided via contract to selected cultural groups. This was to fall in line with the proposed $600,000 originally slated for the donation. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">This ultimate figure was determined by how much a cultural group stood to lose with Erie County funding and we are left to understand this amount was presented by those who were appealing for a piece of the donation. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">Additionally, the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> determined the allocated amounts based on "organizations actually received funding in 2010," the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> "used that actual (lesser) figure."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">Other mathematical methods of determination included the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">, in cases where the cultural group's amount was zeroed out, "we used the Legislature's approved (not vetoed) amount." </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> also considered when the "Legislature's approved amount was </span><em style="font-size: 130%;">way of whack</em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">," the steering </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" style="font-size: 130%;">commitee</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> "went back to 2009 actual funding or for new applicants used 50% of the Legislature's approved amount."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">And so the mathematical equation of who was getting what was determined.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">Although the press-release issued by The Fund for the Arts (</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" style="font-size: 130%;">FFA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">) was on February 28</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" style="font-size: 130%;">th</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">, I have to congratulate the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> for finally rising to the occasion and presenting something of transparency with this matter. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">And good for the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> for stressing that the decision of who was to receive funding wasn't based on membership but by who was under contract with Erie County for 2010 funding.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">Of course, the question of who was in charge of assembling the list of those who were under contract is begging to be asked. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">Did the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> request from Erie County a list of cultural groups who were targeted for cuts and in turn present a survey or some other source of notification of this process?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">That is unclear, and the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> does not list the groups who received funding from the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" style="font-size: 130%;">FFA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">. The website provided by </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" style="font-size: 130%;">FFA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> detailing the list of recipients is </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.cfgb.org/FFA"><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">not in service</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"> as well. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">As for the mathematical equation, who was in charge of this? Did the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> hire a public accountant and was this notarized? Or did a handful of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> steering committee members determine the allocation for 32 cultural groups?</span></span></div>
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">One item that does remain clear is the curious final note of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA's</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> press-release indicating the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" style="font-size: 130%;">Artvoice</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> Give for Greatness campaign "is using another process entirely." Emphasizing that "other organizations not previously funded by Erie County or recommended for funding by </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" style="font-size: 130%;">ECRAB</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> or Legislature" will be included in the funding process.</span></span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">One may be incline to see this statement as a indication those who were in charge of making the decision of which groups got money recognized that some groups, regardless if the groups were under </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" style="font-size: 130%;">GBCA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;"> membership or Erie County contract, would be purposely left out of the loop. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">This recognition faintly reflects a sentiment that those left out would have to fend for themselves or find other sources of funding faintly resembling Chris Collin's directives.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">Despite this cynicism, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">GBCA's</span> efforts to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">at least</span> piece together their idea of a rationale explanation is a good thing for the overall cultural group community because it gives some much needed creditability to all involved. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">Once <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">credibility</span> is established then perhaps there can be greater recognition and, ultimately, restoration of funding for <strong>ALL</strong> members of the <strong>Artistic Community</strong>.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-18828495980610383652011-03-01T11:06:00.000-08:002011-11-30T06:39:59.381-08:00430,000 Chunks of Bread<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Manna from Heaven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><br />
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">The blessed Israelites received this food from God's merciful grace as they trudge onwards in the great Exodus. The white flakes were supposedly honey-like in taste and gave the noble Jewish tribes a lifeline to keep moving forward in their great quest.<br /><br />A lifeline.<br /><br />In a recent </span><a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article354599.ece"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">The Buffalo News</span></a><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"> article, Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance spokesperson, Randy Kramer, said of the recent $430,000, manna from heaven, donation to help reeling cultural groups, as a lifeline."This very good news. For some groups, this is a lifeline." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Does this mean that "some cultural groups" were on the verge of perishing? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Not perish but, as Saul Elkin of Shakespeare in Delaware Park (despite the looming budget crisis recently held auditions for the 2011 season), said in same </span><a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article354599.ece"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">The Buffalo News</span></a><span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"> article, put the ability to have a theater season, or any other artistic event, "on hold".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">So with a heavy thunk of 430,000 chunks of falling bread, the season for SDP, and 31 other selected cultural groups, was saved by a group of 12 foundations including the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Magaret L. Wendt, the Baird and Oishei.<br /><br />Why the generous move by these community fondations?<br /><br />According to president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, this one-time group donation was to insure groups, who's budgets were effected by Erie County Executive Chris Collin's recent cuts to the Arts, had enough funds to "think through their immediate situation without having an immediate budget crisis." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Although Dedecker points out the groups understanding of the intrinsic value of Arts in the community, she does not list who best represents these values. Instead the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo relied on the Greater Buffalo Cultural Agency to put together a list of those deserving of this "lifeline". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">The GBCA, in turn, presented a list of 32 cultural groups targeted for this manna. The process is unclear in how this group determined who made the list. There is mention of some groups who were to receive a portion of this donation, but the article does not say how these groups got the money. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">The GBCA's website make no formal announcement of this award or details the process of how they assembled a list. Shortly after the <em>The Buffalo News</em> article came out, I sent an email to GBCA's contact page and have not receive a reply to explain this process. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">So how did GBCA determine who made the list?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Several beneficiaries listed in <em>The Buffalo News </em>article, including SDP, Ujima Company, Just Buffalo Literary Center, and the Locust Street Neighborhood Art, are GBCA members. Was this a determining factor in being considered? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">The lack of transparency on behalf of GBCA indicates there was no formal process but simply those with the connections to the group's steering committee had the opportunity to present their case for receiving money. Essentially, anyone outside this group was not included in the process. No surveys, no notifications, no emails or formal meeting were presented by the GBCA to indicate there was a process of determining who may be entitled to this funding. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">I'm not sure this is what the community foundations wanted with this donation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">The 12 foundations believe in cultural diversity as indicated by Ms Dedecker, "The foundations earnestly value the great diversity of the arts and cultural organizations in our community," yet is diversity the true measure of who deserved the financial boost or was it simply those with reputation and a loud representative voice to carry their message. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">What is truly troubling is that with the great efforts of Artvoice's founder, Jamie Moses, and his Give for Greatness, funding, those who are already receiving a portion of the $430,000 are lining up to receive a percentage of this campaign. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Fortunately, a reliable source informed me there has been some balance added to the committee overseeing this distribution, and objectively look at which groups are in true need of a financial boost. This will potentially moderate money flow to more established cultural groups who claim to have bigger financial needs than smaller ones. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Overall, this recent 430,000 blessing strikes me as another example of "have and have nots". Where those part of Cultural Advocacy group inner circles or steering committees have the representative voice to put their hands in the air and shout for their Lion's share. Whereas groups outside these circles, or those who may be members but cannot attend meetings, do not have the opportunity to be heard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Whether or not this is intentional remains up to debate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">What truly should happen with these Cultural Alliance/Advocacy groups is the replacement of cultural group Artistic/Executive directors, who administrate steering and planning committees, with objective, non-cultural, business people. In turn, these individuals can oversee decisions and direction based on sound business decisions, responsibility, vision and transparency that benefits <em>all</em> cultural groups. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Arts community members can still be involved but the conflict of interest dominating the present process would be eliminated. Instead, to influence decisions, these members would have present sound presentations and provide clarity into initiating programs that will benefit all groups and not just their organizations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">A prominent business leader said of these organizations, "I can't act, so don't put me on stage. What makes these <em>Arts </em>people think they can be <em>Business </em>people?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Does he have a point? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Perhaps.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">What he should say on behalf of these Cultural Groups is "practice what your preaching" and be more concerned about what it means to support Arts in the community and not supporting one's art to live in the community. <br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b-v2b7mDELk?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="350"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><em>Matthew LaChiusa is the Executive/Artistic Director for the American Rep Theater of WNY. His proudest accomplishment was working up from a waiter to a manager/wine steward positon at a prestigious Baton Rouge steakhouse.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><em><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;"><em><span style="font-size: 100%;">As of 3/3/2011, GBCA has not posted information on their website or returned email</span></em></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-5452364477160908862011-01-26T07:38:00.000-08:002011-01-27T13:19:01.262-08:00No Goal; Wide Right; Civic Identity?<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Out of the mouths of babes.<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WXx1ELSxAzyF9dO4AjcuqbOddN0e-d6TmSf_hVCj8UFrCjOgrRm3vYoI5v-6jLmrfnpja0aum_gK9LvzPu8pZf_lVKlY5LcOZf14bkhsIi4a_2KMkmpaEJhBhyDqEGW7uz7L-4WpFMc/s1600/hockey+pci.bmp"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 190px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 171px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566531264845363954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WXx1ELSxAzyF9dO4AjcuqbOddN0e-d6TmSf_hVCj8UFrCjOgrRm3vYoI5v-6jLmrfnpja0aum_gK9LvzPu8pZf_lVKlY5LcOZf14bkhsIi4a_2KMkmpaEJhBhyDqEGW7uz7L-4WpFMc/s320/hockey+pci.bmp" /></span></a><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Last month as the World Junior Hockey Championships were underway in Buffalo, the Forward for Team America, Emerson <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etem</span>, tweeted this about the city, "Buffalo is a ghost town!! The worst city ever, it makes Medicine Hat look like paradise, never thought <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ide</span> say that." </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />After this tweet went public and the city and media went ballistic, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etem</span> was prompted to post an apology to his hosting city and the denizens citing weather as a reason why people don't come out. </span></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">So the kid said something stupid on a social network site primed for folks who love to blurt stupid things out into public light. My only concern with this is why is a teenage kid worried about his nightlife being exciting when he should be focusing on winning a Gold Medal for his country? Guess it clearly explains why Team America got trounced by the Canadians. </span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">But does Emerson <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etem</span> have a point? Does Buffalo give outsiders the impression things close-up at 5:00 PM?<br /><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Or is it a matter of the city's and, in greater extent, Erie County's inability to market the vast amount of cultural offerings on any given night, great restaurants & a diverse music scene to visiting folks, regions beyond <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">WNY</span> and even to the people who call this town home? </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I recall a conversation I had with a couple from Central New York. They were staying at the same bed and breakfast in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lewiston</span> and over a wonderful breakfast we began to chat about the Shaw Fest theater offerings and how they enjoyed coming to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lewistown</span> for the performances, the shopping and the great restaurants. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I never forgot their blank expressions when I asked them if they've ever checked out Buffalo and enjoyed the same amenities provided by the Canadian counterpart. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">"We didn't know Buffalo had a theater scene." They said. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Oh sure!" I said, "We also have some of the best restaurants, great shops and about 18 theaters to choose from." I also mentioned Buffalo attractions including architecture, art galleries and a world-class orchestra. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">They innocently replied, "Gosh, we didn't know Buffalo had all that stuff." </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Not from the mouth of a babe, not from a cynical homer and not from a myopic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shawphile</span>. This came from an open-minded, older couple who actively seeks cultural destinations. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">And, of course, the question then becomes, how many of these couples choose to go to places like Toronto or the Chautauqua Institution because they don't know that Buffalo has all this cultural "stuff"?</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6lr2kG-ViaGw58d4uD7wpJiCBpe37soWOhjbIQ-dhO9BFPvjDCtK6ZtztOPZxdAaYnm_Pr4tR7bcghKB1P4J0a4H8gnBn1fFRkKLtWjg-CkGny02HEwiteXlMdmyPj2IkCi0Mrri3tc/s1600/CBCA.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 169px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566872527453086114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6lr2kG-ViaGw58d4uD7wpJiCBpe37soWOhjbIQ-dhO9BFPvjDCtK6ZtztOPZxdAaYnm_Pr4tR7bcghKB1P4J0a4H8gnBn1fFRkKLtWjg-CkGny02HEwiteXlMdmyPj2IkCi0Mrri3tc/s320/CBCA.jpg" /></span></a></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">There are numerous online resource sites for inquiring tourists including the </span><a href="http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Buffalo/Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, </span><a href="http://greaterbuffaloculturalalliance.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, </span><a href="http://theatreallianceofbuffalo.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Theatre Alliance of Buffalo </span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">and several other grass-roots informational websites. Anyone can punch "Cultural Activities in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">WNY</span>" into Google and will get an assortment of events, so why isn't this doing enough to create that great cultural tourist economic engine for the region? </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">In most "destination cities", there is a civic identity. This could be a distinct music scene (Austin), food culture (New Orleans) or a vivid Cultural scene (Toronto). Some cities are known to host international festivals that generate millions of tourist's dollars for local businesses. The best of them have all of these distinct qualities roll into one. In turn this identity builds civic pride felt by each resident and aids in the selling of their cities to outsiders.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">In the past, Buffalo & Erie County have attempted to create civic pride:<br /></span><iframe class="youtube-player" title="YouTube video player" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/he1Y6P9KIpY?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="450" type="text/html"></iframe></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">To the most recent Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau video promoting the 2011 National Preservation Convention to be held in Buffalo:<br /></span><iframe class="youtube-player" title="YouTube video player" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MT11IdWPvfc?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="450" type="text/html"></iframe></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Both presentations do their best in creating feel-good images of Buffalo, and to a certain degree indicate individual pride in a city as well as identifying city qualities, but where do these presentations indicate where Buffalo stands as a community and where the community's passion lies? Eventually begging the question in what does Buffalo truly believe in? </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Buffalo has tremendous assets. </span><a href="http://www.buffalo.edu/ub2020/overview/"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">UB</span> 2020</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, although may be shelved, is a brilliant plan in creating jobs and supporting a top-notch educational institution, </span><a href="http://www.bnmc.org/"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The Medical Campus </span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">is world-class with advanced research and the commercial exportation of these medical finds, and even US Congressman Brian Higgins' diligent </span><a href="http://www.higginsforcongress.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;">efforts in creating an engaging and practical Waterfront</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, contribute to the makeup of this city's positive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">qualities</span>. But how are these great attributes and many others, including a rich cultural scene, being integrated into the bigger picture and how are these resources being utilized? </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">That is the multi-million dollar and the good-paying job creation question. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The answer simply may be that all these educational & medical institutions, businesses, cultural groups need to become more interrelated and gain greater appreciation of the value each group provides. This comes from a cohesive message and economic plan that unites & strengthens all of Buffalo civic assets and, ultimately, creates a city identity. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Once this great meeting of all groups occurs and there is an agreed united message with a comprehensive economic plan, then all those feel-good video promotions and informational websites not only generate that elusive tourist dollar but keep that investment in the community for now and future generations. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Isn't that what legacy about?</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Otherwise, young hockey players who punch into Google to see what's happening in Buffalo will get this:</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><iframe class="youtube-player" title="YouTube video player" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3Rz2a1oMyQY?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="425" type="text/html"></iframe><br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">Matthew <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaChiusa</span> is the Executive/Artistic Director for American Rep Theater of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">WNY</span>. He is dedicated to the preservation of cultural groups and how they can benefit the community in both civic and economic growth.</span></em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-65305404119054103542010-12-07T12:26:00.000-08:002012-12-03T19:37:00.801-08:00Tom Bauerle is a Putz<div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">I am not a big fan of talk radio and a good portion of my dislike comes from the brash, shock 'em approach many of these individuals take as they proclaim opinion on contemporary issues. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">The constant one-sided, perceived "truth" these individuals spew out makes me cringe as these spin-doctors pounce on the First Amendment without any understanding of the consequences of spreading their negativity and misguided information. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 130%;">Unfortunately, we live in a 21st century world where even if truth and fact contrast one's opinion that their belief still has substance. The art of compromise went out with the Y2K threat and we now live in a world with loosely connected pockets of shared opinions and an "us versus them" mentality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">Talk show radio hosts use this their advantage as they throw out subject they have opinions about in attempts to rabble-rouse demographic pockets. </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaHLY7b8-K35yhbm1zeQ9R6993iD64oe6gWelDwH6jXNc8ELFD81EGUed4u2-NvANFL3QS5rjVKgQv-bH9OtRdZpK0R0alGNdgYPkIVwpVVi5m5lmnSb9r2jn5JRce3fzKk09XriR1N4/s1600/AV-TomBauerle.jpg"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550594900047905634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaHLY7b8-K35yhbm1zeQ9R6993iD64oe6gWelDwH6jXNc8ELFD81EGUed4u2-NvANFL3QS5rjVKgQv-bH9OtRdZpK0R0alGNdgYPkIVwpVVi5m5lmnSb9r2jn5JRce3fzKk09XriR1N4/s320/AV-TomBauerle.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 100px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 100px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">I noticed this recently as I was told to catch a segment of WBEN 930's The Tom Bauerle show. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">Apparently, Bauerle was on a tangent about the cuts to WNY Cultural agencies and had recently carried on a discussion with someone in the theater community who commented on Bauerle's anti-Cultural position. Bauerle ripped the caller claiming that the Arts <em>should not</em> receive funding and that those who are in that industry are nothing more than hobbyists. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">A hobby?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">According to Webster's dictionary, a hobby is "a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation." Based on this definition I will speak for myself and say that being in the Arts is not a hobby. Grant it, there is not much money in it and I have to look to other sources of income to survive, but I treat what I do as a job and get no "pursuit of relaxation" with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">Now I have mixed views on Cultural budget cuts, but will take offense to someone calling what I do a hobby, so I called the The Tom Bauerle show.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;"><br />In the ensuing conversation, he maintained those in the Cultural do it as a hobby. I countered to him that some people may feel the same way about on-air radio announcers in an era of online radio services. He disagreed by saying what he was doing "was his job". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">"That is the same way some people feel about working in the Arts." I replied to him. "And some people treat use the opportunities in the Arts to help subsidize their income as well." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">It did not register with Bauerle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">Neither did my point to him that although some creative passions begin as a hobby and with proper funding for venues, these hobbies can turn into full-time jobs. Much like a college student who takes up radio as a hobby and eventually becomes a talk-show host. </span></div>
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<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">Clearly, Bauerle's opinion is set. What truly disturbed me was the callers responding to his show who were echoing his sentiments on the subject. One caller mocked the theater person by calling him a "Thurston Howell type with leather patches on his elbows,"and Bauerle kept feeding this prejudice by creating an "us versus them" mentality with his callers. </span></div>
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<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">The overall point that Bauerle and his callers missed is that those involved in the Arts are not some toy-soldier painting group of intellectuals. We are folks who are dedicated to pursuing our creative passion. We treat what we do as professionals. We get the greatest satisfaction in doing our best, without any hint of relaxation, with our crafts. </span></div>
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<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">True, there is no money to be made in the Arts, but it does not mean we treat it as a hobby. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Most importantly, although some changes need to be made with business models, funding Cultural groups enables them to pay individuals their creative worth. With this, the frequency of paycheck may not reflect a more traditional job, but the concept of getting paid, instead of the work being a labor of Love, qualifies the industry and the creative passion. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Eliminating the idea that what Artists do is a hobby.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">To say someones passion is a hobby because the work does not generate a good income is ludicrous. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">After all, some might believe that being an outspoken, on-air talk-show host for a small AM radio station in a small city with a listenership-demographic comprised of angry white people, technophobes, folks over the age of 60, and ignorant ridge-runners is just a hobby as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 130%;">Right Tom? </span></div>
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<embed src="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/jwplayer.swf" width="480" height="390" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="height=390&width=480&file=http://newvideos.xtranormal.com/web_final_lo/472d09e0-f660-11df-a3ce-003048d69c21_6.mp4&image=http://newvideos.xtranormal.com/web_final_lo/472d09e0-f660-11df-a3ce-003048d69c21_6.jpg&link=http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7776407&searchbar=false&autostart=false"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-70598979572655234782010-10-26T06:48:00.000-07:002010-10-29T06:03:37.199-07:00Erie County Budget Cuts--In the Heart of Darkness<object width="400" height="270"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6p4T7_XI7WM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6p4T7_XI7WM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="270"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">It has been few interesting months for Erie County cultural groups. </span><p></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">The Evil Erie County Empire swept in and Darth Collins imposed his imperial will on the people of the Creative Class. This overlord proclaimed he was cutting funding and the days of free handouts were over for these groups while those he deemed worthy were saved from his lightsaber cuts to the Erie County budget.</span></p><p align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Okay, you get the point.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">Anyone involved in the Arts receiving Erie County funding is up in arms to protest this extreme measure and proclaiming that Collins is taking away quality of life and depriving an economic engine of needed resources. The loudest voices are those who have had a longstanding budget dependencies on Erie County funding and now face the daunting task of filling these huge, and potentially crippling, gaps in their own budgets. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">Although American Rep Theater of WNY has never received Erie County funding, ART retained allegiance to those who faced these extreme measures as well as shared in disgust with Collins' arrogance in determining which cultural groups were worthwhile or relevant. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">As the cries of protest grew louder and calls for unity echoed throughout, it became apparent that those voices who put themselves in a position to be spokespeople for all were actually acting out of self-preservation with an sense of entitlement based on reputation and establishment.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">Indeed, in a recent interview on WECK with an artistic director of a reputed theater company, this individual indicated that those established theater of 20 years were committed to the community whereas some unestablished theaters who "parachute in" or are "hit and run" are not. </span></p><p align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:130%;">I was shocked to hear this comment and, in attempt to gain some clarity, wrote this individual only to get a personal attack detailing my lack of being a team player and "sniping from the sidelines". The overall feel of the response was that I lack the experience and insight to see the bigger picture and that my energies should be spent fighting Collins.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">Okay, fair enough to sling this, but the issue of explaining what was meant by "hit and run" theaters was never addressed leaving me the impression that the big picture is if your cultural group lacks reputation or is unestablished, shut up, sit down, and support efforts to save the budgets of those who are established. </span></p><p align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:130%;">So what is this big picture? </span></p><p align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:130%;">There's the big picture of government. This country is in one of the worst economic downturns since the 1930's, New York State is broke and local government budgets are stretched to provide the common amenities to the public. In light of this, the Collins cuts are necessary evils in the name of governing.</span></p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">The idea that a cultural group should be entitled to have their funding restored means Collins would have to close, for example, a Buffalo General Hospital trauma unit in order to do this. Government 101 says restored funding for cultural programs would mean another program would have money cut or eliminated. What serves the County better? BOCES buses for special needs students or an art gallery?</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Everyone has to tighten their belts in this current economic condition. The cultural groups are a small fraction of those who are suffering. Libraries are being closed, county workers are being laid-off and parks are being closed because of Erie County budget cuts. Overall, everyone is forced to adapt to these present conditions, and, most importantly, nobody should have a sense of entitlement in these times. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">So when a business colleague calls me and tells me "Your people are laying on County Hall steps and there's a Grim Reaper hovering over them. What's up with that?" I shrug it off. "Nothing. Creative folks being creative." </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">I do not begrudge anyone who makes the effort to express dissent. There is tremendous value in the Arts community having a united front. What makes protest worthwhile is the result and how it achieves that goal. For example, restaurants have seen a 2% growth in this economy, why not petition Erie County restaurants to sponsor one boutique theater and one smaller art gallery per year? Corporate sponsorship of the arts in below national average in Erie County, so why not organize boycotts of businesses that fail to support the arts? </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Not sure if holding up small, harmless signs "Stop Cutting Cultural Funding", or wearing Halloween costumes will get Chris Collins to overturn his budget cuts. If anything, it gives those who are outside the Arts another reason not to take us seriously. If the Cultural groups need to come up with a message, it should be an acknowledgement that not one group is entitled to funding because they have reputation or are established. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">To say one Cultural group or another helps improve the way of life in Erie County and therefore is entitled to keep its Erie County funding is arrogant and reflects the same judgemental blindness diplayed by Collins. </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Trauma units improve the way of life in Erie County and that, for me, is the "bigger picture".</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><object width="400" height="325"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WEgqIY7xgtE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WEgqIY7xgtE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="325"></embed></object></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"><i>Matthew LaChiusa is the 2009 winner of the Artvoice Awards Emanuel Fried award for Best Original Play, and is the Eexecutive/Artistic Director for American Repertory Theater of WNY.</i></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-41849111135214827282010-09-27T04:51:00.000-07:002010-10-16T10:22:49.382-07:00Four Seasons and Still Kicking<p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">American Repertory Theater of Western New York is proud to be entering into the fourth season and, as the Executive/Artistic Director for the company, I find this to be an amazing accomplishment. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">In December 2007, just before ART became an official 501 C3, this country entered into one of the worst economic collapses since the Great Depression. To compound the lack of fiscal resources were accelerated cuts in Federal and State funding of the Arts as well as limited investments by foundations and individuals. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Additionally, it was becoming increasingly apparent that established Cultural 501 C3's were the main focus of the public and private sector investments. Whatever crumbs left over were to be greedily fought over by the less prominent Cultural entities. Newcomers who lacked the history and reputation were left to find progressive ways of generating income without this support. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">In this economic climate, Cultural organizations were placed in a Darwinian contest of strength and weakness with the winners being those with the loudest voice and the biggest reputation. Sadly, being the "most fittest" did not amount to being the best in what was presented on stage. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">In this vacuum of quality, ART has been able to survive.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ART does not depend on celebrity endorsements to justify their works nor lives off the reputation set forth by one's grandparents to support the works. ART survives because of the dedication of presenting a good story with a careful eye on presentation without trendy gimmicks or pretension. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">And this approach seems to be working because despite the lack of government funding, deep-pockets for marketing or generations of subscribers, and with several local nominations and an award for theater excellence, ART is still kicking. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Onto our fourth season!</span></p><p align="center"><object width="380" height="260"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PIWWcg0fezA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PIWWcg0fezA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="375" height="250"></embed></object></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I am excited about our fourth season because we have chosen to salute the Golden Age of American Television. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Before American TV gave itself over to programming for ratings and not quality, this creative engine produced numerous and endearing American cultural icons as well as some of the most creative American writers and filmmakers in our pop-culture history which has directly influenced characters, TV show themes and films of the late 20th and early 21st century. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ART has chosen to do three works that all differ in style but best capture the essences of the Golden Age of American Television. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The first in the season is an stage adaption of the classic, Sci-Fi meets Morality Play, Twilight Zone entitled <strong><em>Twilight Zone Redux</em></strong>. Adapted by Drew McCabe and co-directed by Kristin Bentley, three classic TWZ stories are rendered for theater presentation with careful attention to the pathos of each characters as well as dedication to the writing style that made these TV shows classic.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Second show of the season is a homage piece to Alfred Hitchcock written by Gary Earl Ross entitled <strong><em>Murder Squared</em></strong>. Mr. Ross does a wonderful job capturing the nuance of the famed suspense writer but also the film-noir of early American TV. Honest and compelling, this piece is right out of the script-rooms of NBC.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The last production of the season features the semi-biographic story of Neil Simon's experiences as a junior writer for the TV variety show, <strong><em>Your Show of Shows</em></strong>, featuring the legendary Sid Caesar. <em><strong>Laughter on the 23rd Floor</strong></em> mixes both the sharp wit of Simon with the all-but-accurate characterisations of famed American writers, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and Carl Reiner. <strong><em>Laughter on the 23rd Floor</em></strong> is a comedic, historical insight into American TV during a time when networks began to put ratings over quality. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Overall, this season should be entertaining to say the least. Whether you were able to watch these programs or just a gleam in your grand-father's eyes, this fourth season has something for you.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;">We'll see you around. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Matthew LaChiusa is the Executive/Artistic Director for American Rep Theater of WNY and is excited to be co-directing with Robert Ball of Ujima Theater with "Murder Squared"</span></em></strong></p></span><p align="center"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IYTOzbRBphw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IYTOzbRBphw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="375" height="255"></embed></object></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-24252431280111910082010-08-16T16:15:00.000-07:002010-09-07T18:38:46.708-07:00Sports and the Arts<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Came across an article in <i><a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/article97437.ece">The Buffalo News</a></i> that highlighted the career of a high-school football coach stepping down as the Lancaster Central School District's Athletic Director. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">As the district's AD since 1993, Len Jankiewicz has been active in seeing the makeover of Lancaster Central football-only stadium including new lights, bleachers and a press-box as well as bringing a state-of-the-art, 31,500 square-foot community athletic field house. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Additionally under his watch, Jankiewicz has added 28 sports programs including boys hockey, girls lacrosse and other, according to <i>The</i> <i>Buffalo News</i>, "modified sports for girls." </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Although I did not see mention in the article, nor could find specific information in the Lancaster Central School District <a href="http://www.lancasterschools.org/lancaster/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=355267">website</a>, was whether or not Jankiewicz has provided sports programs or extra-curricular activities for district students with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">special needs;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> however, he did work with the Board of Education and town of Lancaster to purchase land for practice fields and refurbished</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"> tennis courts, including new lights, for the typical district students.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>The Buffalo News</i> adds to Janiewicz's accomplishments, "While all these accomplishments can be measured, the list is even longer of things that can't be." </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Really? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I find this hard to swallow when the district athletic program ranks at nearly top of Western New York with an annual budget of $500,000. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Upon investigating how much budget is directed towards the Dramatic Arts, a Lancaster Central School District representative could not provide an exact amount dedicated towards this program stating that the monies are spread throughout programs servicing 6,000 students throughout 8 schools (5 elementary, 2 high and 1 middle school). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Lancaster School District 2010-11 budget lists $1.25 million directed towards co-curricular/interscholastic activities, but lack of further details listed on the online budget and an unreturned phone-call from the school district office did not provide information into where the Dramatic Arts fit into the budget.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Listed online for Lancaster High and Middle schools under <a href="http://www.lancasterschools.org/lancasterhs/site/Directory_List.asp?byType=50">Activities</a> and <a href="http://www.lancasterschools.org/lancasterms/site/Directory_List.asp?byType=97">Clubs/Teams</a>, indicates </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">portions</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"> of the budget provide these schools money for extra-curricular clubs focusing on Dramatic and Performing Arts. Both schools have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"> "Stage Crew" clubs that teach students the fundamentals of stage sound and lighting. The middle school has a "Drama Club" and the high school Activities page lists a "Performing Arts". </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Of the $1.2 million, minus $500,000, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">one doesn't have to be a detective to assume these clubs, and the other</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Lancaster high and middle school's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">64 non-athletic activities and clubs, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">receive less than $500,000 annually. The additional monies are further spread among the other district's elementary and high school programs giving some indication into how diluted the allocations become. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Once again, attempts to isolate the money directed towards non-athletic, extra-curricular activities of the Lancaster School district have yielded unreturned phone calls. I am left to assume these numbers are blurred and therefore difficult to account for. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Now the debate over how a school district should prioritize the budget to reflect a more even distribution of money to non-athletic programs, including Arts programs, has been going on for decades. The question at the core of the debate is whether or not a School district should dedicate more funds to extra-curricular programs that only benefit a small group of individuals with athletic talents. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Proponents of athletics programs state that these programs help students build strong work ethics of teamwork and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="ttp://www.tpgonlinedaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=555:the-importance-of-high-school-athletics&catid=44:high-school-news&Itemid=61">group support as well as promoting physical fitness</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">. Opponents retort that Arts programs build communication skills and benefit a broader range of students including special needs children. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Indeed, there are numerous articles and studies citing the importance of Arts in school districts and the benefits associated with these programs. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://www.newhorizons.org/">New Horizons For Learning</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"> lists over fifty articles, studies and links with their website page </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/arts/front_arts.htm">Arts in Education</a> that detail the benefits of Arts in schools. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Both sides have valid points. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Unfortunately in these difficult economic times, school districts are force to make deep budget cuts to their extra-circular programs. Since we live in a culture that favors Sports over Arts, the latter sees drastic cuts while the former, as with the Lancaster School district, with a $500,000 Athletic budget, a new football stadium, new tennis courts and the addition of 28 sports programs, remains relatively intact. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So yes, <i>Buffalo News</i>, in that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">"while all these accomplishments can be measured, the list is even longer of things that can't be" includes Arts program budgets that are drastically cut or are eliminated. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Just hope that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Len Jankiewicz comes out to more theater in his retirement. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>Matthew LaChiusa is the Executive/Artistic Director for the American Repertory Theater of WNY who happens to be a complete football junkie but strongly believes there needs to be more balance between Sports and Arts at the high school level.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Below is a video of fellow Fredonia State alumni Lisa Brigantino and her talented sister, Lori as they promote their album "Wonder Wheel". With them is Susan Haefner (another FSU alumni and mega-theater talent) as they preform "I Gotta Find Me Somethin." </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><object width="395" height="255"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mRT4fW_3X50?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mRT4fW_3X50?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="395" height="255"></embed></object><br /><br /></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-83043452836165710982010-08-03T12:45:00.000-07:002010-08-06T12:18:29.409-07:00The 2010 Buffalo Infringement Festival<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">On August 1st, the Buffalo Infringement Festival concluded and with closing ceremonies celebrated five years of success.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Curious word "success" when applying it to BIF.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><img style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z96blQ7oXeBLJvQuLJmIcake95CQVn2icgB28T0AD3i_ZfAMwygbiZTCvu9_LBaVU5HugCtwpkmM-VJyg-OD0qf06oGo_YkXE7yt_Ll_wrgQ2Hi9quS3bXfJc7LNdpu9Zp7Sbhlqa9U/s320/infringe_layered_200.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501364882398333186" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">In the beginning, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">success </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">simply meant nobody got hurt, venues didn't burn down and, with small numbers of producers, there was a decent selection of performances. After five years, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">organizers are measuring their </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">success</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> by promotion generated from major sources of print and TV media, more venues committing space, ads are being placed in the festival guide, increases in attendance and proposal submissions.</span></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">Indeed, all those who contributed their time and energy in some capacity to the continuation of the festival have witnessed this event grow from a puny 98 lb. unknown weakling to a highly sought, muscular summer event. The motto of "Art under the Radar" is now becoming an recognizable shout "Art all-over the Radar Map."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Whether or not one was there from the beginning or came aboard last June, those who have put their time, energy and art into this festival can walk away proud with a measure of success.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I recently spoke with Kurt Schneiderman, Executive/Artistic Director for Subversive Theatre and one of the core founding members of BIF. Kurt had to step down from his numerous BIF responsibilities and dedicate his time to administrative duties Subversive Theatre and the duty in his son's diapers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">He too shared his pride seeing this event grow in size, and yet, seemed pleasantly surprised at the rapid ascension of this festival in the eyes of the community. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">When the members huddled in the back room of Nietzsche's on a very cold February five-years ago, none of the organizers expected the festival to reach these heights in such a short amount of time. Founding members such as Ron Ehmke, Scott Kurchak, Lynn Lasota, among others, put their energies into this grass-roots festival expecting nothing more than getting the damn thing on its feet without having a nervous breakdown. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And they did...in both capacities.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Fast-forward five years later and in the sweaty Manny Fried Playhouse with both Kurt and I are shaking our heads in disbelief that the BIF has become a successful summer event. And let me clarify that this amazement isn't based in skepticism that those who took it over lacked the skills to run it but that this bohemian, small-scale artistic event with no creditability, has captured the attention of those who ignored it five-years ago and has given a group of anyones and nobodies hopes of bringing whatever creative thing they do to life. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIh1anoVRPC_oyvdW8irD2JapZ5s30s8OYi8mzuAkjq2RXLh0w2A6bSOfTiUIQI89uIH8v-DP8qu5tr6juhuCE5Ri3o_KNdhFnMNiQFx9DnBS-CfZA7DGek99vJDTiXgGw_8yN8-tYIE/s320/n22033482171_2828.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501365405380819266" /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">This continual survival of BIF, like a cockroach that survives a nuclear winter, speaks about the creative spirit that lurks in the dark corners and alleyways of Buffalo's cultural sprawl.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">Its a voice that says despite the annihilation of funds for artists, despite the age of iPhones and instant gratification, despite a divided nation full of brats and obese people, creativity will not go away. It will simply wait for the opportunity to be presented in a cramped back-room of an bookstore, a parking lot or in someone's apartment.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So keep it going unheard playwrights, performance artists</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">and newcomer actors</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">because this festival was made for you and the other "nobodies" out there with talent and drive.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Five years from now while you hold up an award for excellence, you will remember that BIF gave you the opportunity to show that art under the radar.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>Matthew LaChiusa is Executive/Artistic Director for the American Repertory Theater of WNY and was one of the foot-soldiers for the BIF. Of the two plays originally performed/read for past BIF's, Axeman's Jazz, received an ARTIE nomination for 2007 Emanuel Fried New Play and the other, RED CLAY, won the 2009 ARTIE Emanuel Fried Award for New Play.</i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8508851610308518055.post-32379085721081421422010-07-01T16:13:00.000-07:002010-08-11T13:36:36.610-07:00Happy Birthday You Tube<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">When You Tube first made its Internet debut 5 years ago, the founders Steve Chen, Chad Hurley and Jawed Karim may not expected the impact this video sharing website would have upon the world.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Indeed, in a world of "just add water" instant information, You Tube has provided more accessibility to the world at large. Live video feeds of cultural revolutions in Iran to an over-weight kid busting moves to a hip-hop tune is now available to both the bored housewife in Idaho and the businessman on Wall Street in a last-stance example of informational Democracy.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The power of You Tube has gone beyond being an information terminal.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Countless of individuals have become celebrities through acts of bravery or the stupidest of human tricks, all which are recorded and submitted on You Tube while numerous causes and movements gain support because of a 30 second video blurb that buzzes the Internet and become viral.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">All because of a click of a mouse and a video sharing website. Somewhere in the Halls of Irony Heaven, Andy Warhol is smiling.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">But You Tube has had its share of criticisms. Copyright infringement, government censorship, unlawful representation of people and places, illegal obtaining of images are negative parts of this website. All that remains of human intimacy and cultural dogma has now been dragged into public record by the "eye" of the video camera and the need to "broadcast yourself". We have seen our share of idiocy, apathy, criminality, indecency and crudeness all in the name of online attention by some lonely folks with video cameras.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">On the other hand, You Tube has provided the world with videos of great human accomplishments and riveting social commentary. The 2009 social revolution in Iran gave us terrifying video of the government crackdown and made us cry as a young revolutionary girl, by the name of Neda, died online for the world to see. This compelling video and many others has introduced uncensored, citizen video journalism into our living-rooms. No small wonder that in 2008 You Tube was awarded the George Foster Peabody Award and cited for being "a 'Speakers' Corner' that both embodies and promotes democracy."</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">As is the case with our species, a tool in human hands can either be productive or destructive.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">For creative folks, You Tube has become a great opportunity to present the world their art. Apart from social networking, You Tube has become one of the most effective marketing tools in the 21st century. The need to spend thousands of dollars in radio or TV time to promote one's wares, has been practically eliminated. All one needs to do is upload their You Tube video on a Blog or Facebook and it could be potentially seen by thousands by one simple click.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">One could even go as far as saying You Tube is shaping the way American sees and elects its leaders.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The impact You Tube has on a group promoting a social agenda or an apolitical group to get their message out cannot be overlooked. President Obama mobilized a large group of individuals by You Tube ads whereas the non-partisan, grass-roots organization (and based in Buffalo) <a href="http://www.inafj.org/"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#9e8b15;">I Need a Frickin' Job</span></a> has seen an increase of over 200,000 hits to their website because of their poignant videos (and the media buzz about an INFJ billboard as Obama drove on the 33 to get into downtown Buffalo). The idea that through You Tube a message can reach folks in a more expedient, broader and colorful way than traditional media means is revolutionizing how campaigns are being managed, agendas are being presented and how non-political groups can galvanize a message by a simple 30 second video.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">So, Happy Birthday, You Tube and thanks for five years of providing beautifully profound and socially driving videos, or as Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "Providing a safe home for piano-playing cats, celeb goof-ups, and overzealous lip-synchers since 2005."</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 12.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">---------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:lucida-sans, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><p align="center" style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'lucida sans', verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; ">Below is a video from the <strong><u>Fat Bat Man</u></strong> series </p><p align="center" style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'lucida sans', verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; ">featured by "I Need a Frickin' Job"</p><p align="center" style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'lucida sans', verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; ">Produced by Scott Baker & Filmmaker Jeff Baker</p><p align="center" style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'lucida sans', verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; ">Featuring John F. Kennedy</p></span><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EhQMlm1k6is&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EhQMlm1k6is&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0