I've Got an Idea

I've been trying to go see more live theater. I'm an actor, I know lots of actors, so I should go see more live theater than I do, right? Try to stay current with what various companies and performers are doing so I'm more a part of the scene than a random, casual participant, right? It makes sense to me, anyway.

What I'm learning from seeing more live theater, though, is that I have very interesting or odd thoughts about the shows afterward. Things that your average viewer might not notice, and I don't know if that is because I'm going in to it with a different perspective (having done theater since I was four years old) or because I'm just plain odd, but it gave me an idea.

Please note: there is nothing about this idea that precludes my dream of being a full-time actor. This is an idea for a backup plan.

I would like to create a job for myself, and I would call it a freelance artistic consultant (or something to that effect). I would like to be the sort of person that theater companies call in at some point in the rehearsal process (when or how often is up to them) to watch the show and ask questions about it in the hopes of making the performance better.

Now, I know most theater companies have an artistic director, and I want to make it clear that I do not intend to step on anyone's toes. I also know that a lot of theaters invite critics or adjudicating boards to come see their productions for feedback, reviews, and in the hopes that it will inspire others to come see the show. That's not what I would do. I would hope to position myself within the theater community as an ally, another set of eyes to have on a show. I wouldn't be there to tear anyone down or destroy careers with a bad review. I would be the one to say, "That character's arc is unclear to me," or "I love the feel of the space, but that light is blinding everyone in section 12." That kind of thing. I would like to be just another set of eyes on a production - an outside, unaffiliated set of eyes - who might notice things that had otherwise been missed - and I would present my opinions very much in the form of, "I noticed this and you are welcome to take that if you want and run with it or tell me to go piss up a tree." My intention would always be to help.

I realize that a lot of theater types can get sensitive about this kind of thing, and can be sensitive about taking the opinion of a stranger into account when it comes to the creation of their art. But I know when I wrote and directed my own musical, it was helpful to have an outside set of eyes on things to let me know if the points I was trying to make were coming across clearly or not. I also know from writing and directing my own musical that after a while, you know the script so well as the director that if your actors are mumbling through certain parts or getting so quiet they can barely be heard, you start to fill in those blanks because you know what is supposed to be there so you might miss something seemingly minor. And wouldn't it be nice if someone said, "Great show, but I couldn't understand a word of what Character Z was saying in scene 6," before the show opened so that when the critics and adjudicating board members show up for opening night, they don't have to notice such things and can instead focus on how brilliant you all are?

I honestly don't know if this is the kind of service anyone would be interested in, what with egos and time considerations and the pressure of having an outsider view a non-finished performance. But I think if I could present myself as non-threatening, friendly, and genuinely wanting to help, I could be a great asset to the the theatrical community. I've been at script readings (early drafts of plays) and been able to provide valuable feedback to the playwrights, so I think my input could be useful in some instances. And since I'm an outsider, there would be no harm in telling me to buzz off because my ideas don't fit with the theme of the play. That's a perfectly acceptable response.

But I think I could be useful in this capacity. We all want to make great theater. I'd like to help out with that if I can.

To all of my theatrically inclined friends, if there was such a service available to you, would you want to take advantage of it, or do you think I'm off my rocker?