Theatre Geeks

Theatre Geeks' first news podcast The first biweekly news report on theatre happenings around country and the world, hosted by Dave Dufour.  This is an experiment, and does NOT replace our regular Dave-John-Marcia roundtable discussion.  This news rundown and commentary will appear between the bi-weekly shows that feature all three of us. Following are all the links referred to in the show. Death of a Salesman Revival on Broadway Favorite Ethel Merman Moments Original London Cast of Les Miserables told that royalties on original cast album will cease Mythbusters on stage (review) The Mythbusters guys talk about their stage show Should theatre leave more to the imagination? -- Write to Dave with your thoughts on this one. Naked Boys Singing closes the curtain (finally). Tony Award Winning Memphis will be broadast on PBS William Shatner to tour his one-man show Pecha-Kucha night in Chicago is March 6 AACT Events National Conference http://www.aact2.org/event/NYC Regional Festivals http://www.aact2.org/events/event_list.asp?show=&group=&start=5%2F31%2F2010&end=&view=&cid=3108 State Festivals http://www.aact2.org/events/event_list.asp?show=&group=&start=5%2F31%2F2010&end=&view=&cid=3107 Music provided by Music Alley

Actress (and Marcia's daughter) Deirdre Lovejoy joins us at the Bristol Opera House, Bristol, Indiana for a special series of three podcasts in front of a live audience of fellow Theatre Geeks.

Making your shows sound better Using the correct music and sound effects can make a big difference in theatrical productions, but there are some problems and pitfalls, both esthetic and legal. The Geeks discuss some of the issues and decisions that have to be made about the use of sound and music in community theatre productions. Music for this episode provided by Music Alley at http://www.musicalley.com.

Are your rehearsals open?  Maybe they shouldn't be. Rehearsals are the time for casts to bond with their directors and each other, and hone their performances without interference.  But in community theatre, family members, significant others, friends and even casual visitors sometimes feel they have good reason to drop in and even provide feedback.  The Geeks discuss why (and how) to be firm about the "closed rehearsal" rule. Music provided by Music Alley. Mevio {Mevio-6c912ad1b44a172f9d3e65ee1f3c044b}

Seeing more theatre is important to becoming a better actor, director or techie. Sometimes in community theatre we become very wrapped up in our own projects and don't seem to find the time to see other theatrical productions, be they professional or amateur.  Dave, John and Marcia discuss how seeing all kinds of theatre, good or bad, helps us become better performers and technicians. Music for this episode provided by Music Alley.

Anyone who's worked in the theatre has had experience with the actor who's really a backstage director, the latecomer, the cast member who is disruptive and makes the rehearsal process more difficult and less fun for the rest of us.

Tips for Actors Doug Lunn and Annette Kaczanowski join us for a third (out of four) sessions to talk about acting, creating a character, and making the play better as an actor no matter how big your part is. Music provided by Music Alley.

We continue with Doug Lunn and Annette Kaczanowski, discussing how a music or vocal director deals with different audition situations, rehearsal confrontations, and more. Music provided by Music Alley

In the first of four episodes with guests Doug Lunn and Annette Kaczanowski, the Geeks discuss the process and challenges facing vocal directors of musical comedies. Music provided by Music Alley

Miss Indiana Jackie Jerlecki joins us for a second episode to talk about how her experience in the Miss America Pageant system dovetails with her performing arts and theatre aspirations.  Do young women learn about performance as participants in pageants?  Get an inside look from Jackie. NOTE: There is some static in this episode that was not evident when we were recording.  Most of the session is clean and clear so we've left it intact.   Music provided by Music Alley.

Back in April at the Indiana Community Theatre League festival in Kokomo, we interviewed Larry Creviston, Chairman of the AACT National Festival, which will be in Carmel, Indiana (just North of Indianapolis) in June of 2013. Finally, here is that conversation between Larry and the Geeks.  Larry tells us about some of the new developments in Carmel's community theatre scene, and some of his initial plans for the festival. Find out if you have to be crazy to take on a project like this! Information on AACT Fest 2013 can be found at  www.carmelrepertorytheatre.com. Music provided by Music Alley.

Miss Indiana, Jackie Jerlecki, joined the Geeks to discuss her public service platform, which, incidentally, involves theatre!  This is the first of two episodes with Jackie, who is also choreographing Elkhart Civic Theatre's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.   NOTE: There is some static at several points in this podcast that was not apparent when we were recording.  We apologize for this, but most of the conversation is clean and clear, so we're leaving it intact.   Music provided by Music Alley.

Discussion of if, when and how to update older material. Can you? Should you? It depends. John, Dave and Marcia put their collective brains to the problem. Send us YOUR thoughts. Music provided by Music Alley.

The geeks share some of their favorite personal stories of on-stage bloopers that are sometimes funny, sometimes not. We all have them. Why not share some of yours with us for an upcoming episode? Music provided by Music Alley.

Many scripts are surprising lacking in information about staging, set design, and other details.  This challenges the director and cast to do their research and even re-invent the play to fit a particular theatre and troupe.  The Geeks (John, Marcia and Dave) provide some insights and personal experiences based on shows they've directed and/or designed. Music provided by Music Alley.