Theatre That Works
Posted on | March 30, 2009 | 8 Comments
UPDATE 9-17-09: The grand experiment has evolved – read what happened to TTW here.
Here it comes, folks – Theatre That Works. Read on for the skinny on my new web venture, and how you can contribute right this instant!
TTW grew out of my experience of 3 years writing this blog. In that time, I’ve increasingly found myself wanting to write about a wider range of personal projects both in theatre and out, as well as longer pieces on the theatre more akin to traditional journalism. In the past few months the number of projects I’ve gotten into – in social media, arts marketing and management, the world of commercial acting, and more – has multiplied, and my list of Chicago-theatre-specific stories I want to investigate has gotten ever longer. So it seemed like a good opportunity to split the Gordian knot once and for all.
The aim of TTW is a lot like that of the Chicago Theatre Database – to share information about the community with the community. Where the CTDB compiles the dates and names, TTW compiles the stories. The slate – and the site – will be developing for a while, but here are the bullets:
- Interviews We’ll be sitting down with the hardest working people in town to find out where they got started, how they make it happen and what keeps them going.
- Features There are a million stories in the Windy City, and not all of them have to do with financial problems or capital campaigns.
- History Chicago’s theatre community is a nation of immigrants. It’s time we all got schooled about when Shakes was above a bar and John Malkovich had hair and pissed onstage.
- Other fun stuff - I have some ideas about fun features for the site, some of which will be rolling out in the near future – like a Twitter round-up from behind the scenes of the weekend’s rehearsals, auditions and performances and a Battle of the Show Blurbs. Stay tuned!
One thing you won’t be seeing is reviews. Frankly, I think there are more than enough people willing to tell you whether a show is worth seeing. (And we’ve all been in bad shows – who needs their nose rubbed in it by their friends?) What interests me is the conversation – what does a show make you think about when you walk away, how does it affect your day, or your work? The intersections of artist as audience is something I want to explore – not thumbs angled in judgement.
As you can tell, I’m very excited. Hopefully, we’ll start publishing this week (technical issues permitting) – and I’ve already talked to a few folks who are known for their pen as well as practicing the performing arts, who I think will lend a great perspective (as well as sustainability).
So please check out the site-in-progress, and follow us on twitter. There’s going to be plenty of stuff to do!
Photo Call
Theatre That Works wants to tell the story of Chicago theatre is words and pictures! We’re looking for production photos, rehearsal photos, set or prop construction photos – we want them all, provided they’re dynamic* and high-quality. To find out more, drop me a line!
*When I say dynamic, I am particularly ruling out everyone’s standard “2-5 people staring meaningfully” production shot. There better be something going on in the photo, either compositionally or physically.
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8 Responses to “Theatre That Works”
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March 30th, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Parodies of reviews, then.
“This review was written by an angry business man, circa 1951.”
“This review was written by a honeybee.”
“This review was written by a committee of sitcom writers.”
“This review was written by Franz Kafka, whilst he suffered from a nasty absinthe hangover.”
March 30th, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
You know, Roach – that’s actually a hilarious idea! Do not be surprised if that actually shows up.
March 30th, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
Dan, I can’t wait to see how this pans out. This is really exciting. Expect contributions from me shortly!
March 30th, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
Excellent idea. Dan, the ideas you have that allow us look at our past while making sure Chicago theater “steps sweetly into the future, foot by foot” are wonderful. Glad you’re here and working on our side. – This comment was made by an I
Love You Drunk Who Quotes the Show She’s Working On.
March 31st, 2009 @ 10:24 am
Sounds like a great idea. I’ve been running London Theatre Blog for over 4 years now, it’s a multi-author, multi-media site so if you need any help just drop me a line.
Came to your blog via a tweet by Nick Keenan by the way. Best of luck with this venture. I’ll add it to our resources section.
March 31st, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
Well- We have our little conversation the other night…and then you roll this out…interesting. Alright, all kidding aside, this is fantastic. I’d love to be of service in any way I can. This and the Chicago Theatre Database are a couple of sweet ideas that are long overdue. Nice work.
April 2nd, 2009 @ 9:42 am
Thanks everybody! I’m very excited about the project – there are some design issues to be overcome first, but expect the first posts to be up within the next couple of weeks!
September 17th, 2009 @ 9:02 am
[...] or happened, to Theatre That Works, the working-in-chicago-theatre-online-magazine-type-thing I launched with much fanfare back in April. Well, the short answer is: life happened. But lest you misunderstand, let me be clearer: the work [...]