Episodes

Susan Whitby joins us again to talk more about her adventure helping daughters Maddie and Audrey launch their careers on TV and radio in Hollywood. Music provided by Music Alley Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

Midwest mom Susan Whitby tells you what to expect when your children want to take the show business plunge Susan Whitby (center) with daughters Maddy Whitby (left) and Audrey Whitby. Susan Whitby joined us for the first of two episodes to talk about her daughters, Audrey and Maddie, who, after starting out in community theatre in Indiana, have moved on, with her help and five years in Los Angeles, to become successful on the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and more in Hollywood. But it wasn’t easy...

There are some rules about play production — breaking them can result in getting your show shut down. Our friend and entertainment lawyer Gordon Firemark recently published this blog post on how producers can make sure they don’t get their show shut down. Gordon’s insights sparked a conversation between the Geeks. Authors and play publishers set down a lot of rules about how you’re supposed to produce their plays. Rules can be both artistic and pertain to the marketing of your production, and y...

The Geeks share a few tips and tricks for fighting colds and other ailments that can play havoc with your performance. Music provided on this Bastille Day (as we’re recording this) by Music Alley. Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

Smoking onstage and its alternatives Depending on your venue, audience and local laws, producing a script that requires that characters smoke can be problematic. Where smoking is prohibited in public places it is sometimes allowed in stage performances, but audiences may still not accept it or approve. Some audience members may be sensitive to smoke, and some venues, such as schools, may not allow smoking under any circumstances. What to do? The Geeks discuss the question of smoking onstage and...

Food onstage can sometimes be a challenge Whether it’s staging a family dinner or dealing with a variety of beverages, food onstage is a special class of props that has its own set of issues and potential pitfalls. The Geeks talk about their experiences (some good, some not-so-good) with food onstage and how to reduce the problems. Music provided by Music Alley. Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

Be respectful of both your audience and your fellow actors The Geeks have talked often about the annoying things that some audience members may do that hurt the theatregoing experience for everyone. This time, they delve into the topic of backstage etiquette for both cast and crew. Sometimes little things can cause large problems, even when we may not intend them to. Talking, whispering, being in the wrong position, not being in position at all, etc., are all matters of professionalism, etiquet...

What kind of director are you? What kind of director is best? Directors come in all styles — from overly easygoing (REAL smooth) or difficult bordering on abusive (REAL sharp). Where’s the sweet spot on the contiuum? The Geeks discuss. Music provide by Music Alley. Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

Stratford Festival’s publicity director Ann Swerdfager joins the Geeks Stratford Festival’s production of Hay Fever is just one of the wonderful productions this year. We’ve mentioned the Stratford Festival plenty of times on Theatre Geeks, but it certainly bears repeating that Ontario’s longtime Shakespeare (and a whole lotta other theatre) festival is one of the theatrical gems of North America. Just a hop and a skip from the USA midwest, and a pleasant drive from either Detroit/Windsor or N...

Which is better: bad theatre or no theatre? Actor Robert Miller joins the geeks for a second session and one of our most lively debates ever. Dave recently saw a quote that stated that we need more theatre over all, good and bad, and that the bad begets good over time. We’ve all seen bad shows. Is it better to see a poor production, or are we better off with no theatre at all? Very interesting discussion. What do YOU think? Listen to this episode and then send us your opinion via our feedback ...

This week the Geeks are joined by Robert J. Miller, a former member of the local (Elkhart Civic Theatre) troupe and now a professional actor. Bob is about to play Tevye in a regional production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Wagon Wheel Theatre in Warsaw, Indiana. We talk to him about the value of the community… Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

Sold Out Run‘s Clay Mabbitt gives the Geeks, and YOU, some great tips for community theatre success. Clay Mabbitt of the Sold Out Run Podcast It’s not often we get to speak with fellow podcasters, but here, for the second show in a row, we’re talking to someone who produces a podcast related to the performing arts. Clay Mabbitt, of nearby Indianapolis, produces the Sold Out Run podcast, which focuses primarily on the marketing of performing arts, including theatre and musical events. In this ...

Keith Tomasek talks about stratfordfestivalreviews.com, the “Rotten Tomatoes” of the Stratford Festival Visitors to the Stratford Festival have a friend in Keith Tomasek. Keith is the creator, editor and curator of Stratford Festival Reviews (http://www.stratfordfestivalreviews.com), a website that aggregates reviews of all the productions at this outstanding institution in Stratford Ontario. Visitors to the website (who accumulate around 1300 page views per day) are able to see what critics ac...

Are summer musicals still important to community theatres? We hear reports that some community theatres go on a little hiatus in the summer. For others, the summer musical is still a main event. How does your community theatre come down? The geeks talk about the pros and cons of the big summer show. Music provided by Music Alley Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

Many community theatres operate by the financial seat-of-the-pants. Does yours? . . . → Read More: 122 Fighting the community theatre budget battle Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

In another audience etiquette episodes, the Geeks talk about audience members who don’t do their “homework” when it comes to knowing what kind of show they’re going to see, being prepared for possible “mature” content and not being taken by “surprise” that leads to indignation. We’ve been around long enough to know that there probably isn’t a show out there that won’t offend someone at some time, but often as not, the offended party has only himself to blame. Most theatres will note in their pro...

The Geeks discuss the high- and ever higher-tech state of theatrical productions and wonder if “enough” is actually too much, and whether technology helps or hinders a community theatre’s creative approaches. Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

What can you do to deal with backstage hanky panky and other disruptive “stuff” in community theatre? Community theatre is a great social activity, but problems do arise when behaviors that may (or may not) be ok away from the theatre become distractions or even liabilities within a cast. While we can’t regulate people’s feelings, we can set guidelines that make for a better experience for all. The Geeks discuss dealing with bad behavior, and more importantly, preventing it. Send us YOUR feedba...

Is the term “actress” outmoded? The Geeks have been accused of being a little “old school” at times (whatever that means), and all three of us remember when the term “actress” was the standard way of referring to a female on stage. In this abbreviated episode, the Geeks discuss why and when the terminology appeared to change, and whether or not it’s ok to still use the older term. What do YOU think? Is this even a debate worth having? Should those who say “actress” be subject to a social smack...

Are awards nights at a community theatre a good thing or a bad thing? After a peculiarly breathy beginning, the Geeks get down to the business of awards. Some community theatres have an annual in-company awards ceremony honoring best actors/actresses, directors, etc. Some may feel that this only breeds internal jealousies and bad feelings. Others may feel it provides an incentive for quality in all aspects of production. The Geeks tell you what they think. Now, what do YOU think. Let us know vi...

Community theatre was Colleen Williamson’s springboard to an exciting life performing on cruise ships. Colleen Williamson Colleen Williamson joins us for a fascinating talk about her life as a cruise ship actress, singer and entertainer, that started over 20 years ago. Possessed of a great singing voice and natural acting ability, Colleen was urged by a friend to audition with a cruise ship line’s entertainment arm. Today, she travels much of the year, to places most of us only dream about, an...

Theatre Geeks talk about their theatrical influences in this episode of the long-running theatre podcast. . . . → Read More: 115 Theatre under the influence Theatre Geeks - community theatre and the performing arts

Snowed in? Snowed out? How does your community theatre deal with serious winter weather? Dave in front of our theatre earlier this winter, when snow threatened our production of Almost, Maine. The Geeks know first-hand about how winter can disrupt rehearals and even keep patrons away. Recorded live at Evan’s Sidewalk Cafe, we offer a few things to think about when weather gets in your theatre’s way. First of all, follow the law. When law enforcement says stay off the roads, don’t schedule reh...

Tom Myers talks choreography with the Geeks Choreographer Tom Myers How is choreography for community theatre different from what you might see professionally? Recognizing that not everyone in community theatre is a trained dancer while still challenging performers is a balancing act Tom Myers is very familiar with. The veteran choreographer for community and high school theatres talks about the issues that he faces in putting a great dance number on the stage with non-professional talent. To...