Gaian Theatre Company: We're Turning Five Years Old?!

Which of these recent Tony-winning plays and musicals would you love to see Gaia-style?

Book of Mormon	32.1%	[ 26 ]
Memphis	2.5%	[ 2 ]
Billy Elliot	9.9%	[ 8 ]
In the Heights	6.2%	[ 5 ]
Spring Awakening	29.6%	[ 24 ]
War Horse	9.9%	[ 8 ]
Red	3.7%	[ 3 ]
God of Carnage	4.9%	[ 4 ]
August: Osage County	1.2%	[ 1 ]
The Coast of Utopia	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Total Votes:			[ 81 ]

[Cascara]

What I don't understand is how this used to work. We would have shows when school was in session and shows when summer was going on and we made it work. People showed up. People put in the time.

Schoolwork and vacations didn't change, so what did? During the school year people say that they can't do shows because of homework, and during the summer people say that they can't do shows because of vacations/real life things. I've given up on going out with friends to do things because it's a GTC night -- because I'm willing to commit to the show. I've scheduled group projects around GTC nights. I schedule my homework around GTC. (And really, two hours out of the evening imo isn't that big of a loss.)

That's the most confusing thing about all of this. Somehow we used to have actors and audience attending, making the GTC a part of their daily schedule because that's what it SHOULD be, but no one apparently does that anymore.

[Arqueete]

You're talking like I'm accusing everyone of not getting involved and dropping their lives for GTC. I never said that. I was saying that that is just what the situation is -- people who used to do shows are busy and there is not much of a new generation of GTCers coming in to replace them.

It was great to see the enthusiasm from some new people who came in through LSOH and I missed when we had casts full of that kind of attitude, and if we could get a new pool of actors who feel that way I'd be happy to continue helping the GTC to function. The problem is just finding enough of those people and if they're out there.

[K` the warrior]

There are talented people like that out there. Problem is, they probably never heard of this place before. Heck, I've been around since 05 and I barely found out about GTC like 1 year ago. So again, you need to advertize this place in a way where you'll be able to reach out to all kinds of potential actors. It might be hard and it might be tiring, but if you wanna keep this place open, that's probably what you need to do.

And I'm saying you because, at the end, if you're not here, there's no GTC. Sure, you might give the ownership to someone else, but it'll be different. Believe me, YOU created and defined GTC. Therefore, only you an keep it alive. Of course, you'd need help and really, it's pretty cool that you ask everyone to give their input, but you're the leader so you have the last word. So you need to think if you're willing to go through all that in order to revive GTC, even with everyone's help. Are you willing to go look for new actors? To advertize the place? To give up even MORE hours of your time? To keep setting up the plays?

[Scaura]

Quote:

What I don't understand is how this used to work. We would have shows when school was in session and shows when summer was going on and we made it work. People showed up. People put in the time.

Schoolwork and vacations didn't change, so what did? During the school year people say that they can't do shows because of homework, and during the summer people say that they can't do shows because of vacations/real life things. I've given up on going out with friends to do things because it's a GTC night -- because I'm willing to commit to the show. I've scheduled group projects around GTC nights. I schedule my homework around GTC. (And really, two hours out of the evening imo isn't that big of a loss.)

I don't think any of us really understand. But I, personally, can't arrange things around the GTC. I've tried, and I've failed. For now, I just don't want Arq depending on me when I can't schedule things around the GTC. I know some others feel the same way.

Quote:

You're talking like I'm accusing everyone of not getting involved and dropping their lives for GTC. I never said that. I was saying that that is just what the situation is -- people who used to do shows are busy and there is not much of a new generation of GTCers coming in to replace them.

I wasn't trying to accuse you of anything. I was just trying to point out that the GTC takes up a lot of my time, and I can't do it anymore, which leads us to what you just pointed out. And really, probably the only way to attract new people is to advertise.

So, this leads into what K was talking about. He's right. Personally, I think advertising more would be the key to having more people volunteer. Expanding our advertising outside of the Chatterbox would be better for us, I think. We have a limited number of people on hand right now, so maybe a possible advertising idea could be performing a small scene/skit in Towns, Rally, etc.

Things among those lines could help us get more people noticing the GTC.

[Aleksandra Molokov]

Scaura

So, this leads into what K was talking about. He's right. Personally, I think advertising more would be the key to having more people volunteer. Expanding our advertising outside of the Chatterbox would be better for us, I think. We have a limited number of people on hand right now, so maybe a possible advertising idea could be performing a small scene/skit in Towns, Rally, etc.

Things among those lines could help us get more people noticing the GTC.

See, the thing I think that's being missed is that advertising is not the cureall for the current woes here. More advertising and exposure can't hurt, it's true, but the big important issue is how do we attract the people who are willing and able to put time aside to rehearse and perform?

We can advertise until we turn blue in the face, but it's not going to matter one bit if there are no reliable actors there to perform.

If we can find a solution for that, then bit by bit, the pieces fit and the GTC Machine advances.

[Lord_Angelus_Flameheart]

Aleksandra Molokov

We can advertise until we turn blue in the face, but it's not going to matter one bit if there are no reliable actors there to perform.

See that's also a problem right there. You're NOT going to find reliable actors. Things happen whether it's power outages, connection issues, etc. Plus, there's the fact that schedules change on a daily basis. One day you might not have anything important and can attend and the next day, you're so busy you can't even look at the computer, let alone worry about a rehearsal or performance. Also, there's the fact that Gaia is not the end-all be-all of everyone's existence. Siteing myself as an example, I'm probably on Gaia a total of 5 minutes (Daily Chance, Aquarium, clean out junk in inventory, check my subscribe forums for any new posts). After that, I usually don't come on. So, if there's a suddenly schedule change and it's decided to have a rehearsal tonight instead of the next day when it was scheduled, then I won't know about it until the next day.

No actor is reliable. That's why theater was built upon the ground of spontenaity. You either roll through it or you let the s*$*t hit you in the face.

[Aleksandra Molokov]

Lord_Angelus_Flameheart

See that's also a problem right there. You're NOT going to find reliable actors. Things happen whether it's power outages, connection issues, etc. Plus, there's the fact that schedules change on a daily basis. One day you might not have anything important and can attend and the next day, you're so busy you can't even look at the computer, let alone worry about a rehearsal or performance. Also, there's the fact that Gaia is not the end-all be-all of everyone's existence. Siteing myself as an example, I'm probably on Gaia a total of 5 minutes (Daily Chance, Aquarium, clean out junk in inventory, check my subscribe forums for any new posts). After that, I usually don't come on. So, if there's a suddenly schedule change and it's decided to have a rehearsal tonight instead of the next day when it was scheduled, then I won't know about it until the next day.

No actor is reliable. That's why theater was built upon the ground of spontenaity. You either roll through it or you let the s*$*t hit you in the face.

I'm not saying that everyone in GTC should be glued to the screen and ready to jump at a minute's notice for rehearsals/performance. I work a full-time job, other people here also work, have school, or both school and work. And obviously unexpected things come up, that's the nature of the beast.

What I /am/ saying is that it's possible to find a core of people who, in general, have the time/ability to go to rehearsals/perform. Maybe not necessarily /every/ single show and rehearsal, but enough that they can feel confident in their role and perform the best they can.

It has actually happened before, having reliable actors and as Arq mentioned in an earlier post, it was that way for the GTC for a long while.

The GTC is not the be-all and end-all of my existence, but when I make a commitment to it, I make a point of being online, checking Gaia and be sure that I'm ready for rehearsals and performances. If I'm going to be doing this, then it behooves me to be responsible and show up when and where I'm asked.

I don't think it's unreasonable to be held to this standard. Performing is fun, but you know, you have to put in work to make shows successful. Barring glitches and whatnot, our shows are well-done because we have put time and effort.

If everyone thinks 'Oh, it won't matter if I don't show up', then no one shows up and nothing gets accomplished. Just food for thought.

[Venessa Maerie]

I wish I could do these, but I'm never online long enough and wouldn't be able to..

[nerdynicole]

i love it

[hybrid_hero]

We wanna do this at the Theatre that I work at!!

[AshesFallen]

omg, you guys are on hiatus again?!

>.<; feels guilty...

I love your shows, and try to show up (on this or mule) as much as possible... but haven't since towns was out of order...

recently I saw you guys auditioning again with a full schedule for two shows, but alas, my mom forced me to find a summer job.

I did understudy for Rent a couple months back

was hoping to get back and maybe audition again during college this fall...

well, still, best of luck GTC!
edit: isn't starting a guild a lot of gain gold??

[GunBANG]

I haven't posted here in a year, and I'm glad I'm still subscribed.
I used to be Pokemon416, and back in '08 I played Princeton in Avenue Q.
You may remember me, you many not.
But anyway, that's not the point.

I would be more than willing to help the GTC out, auditioning, coming to performances, anything.
I can't make promises though, because a schedule can change in a heart beat.
I don't think you should close the GTC for several reasons.

• There's tons of people out there who don't know about the GTC. And I can bet you, some of those people would be very interested in the GTC.
  
• From what I've noticed, Gaia hasn't been as active as usual. Usually, about 90k Gaians sign in a day. I've only seen about 70k Gaians sign in this summer (I don't really think that this really makes sense, but regardless).
  
• You should try advertising more. It can work miracles if the right people see it. (:

GTC, I wish you the best of luck.
You'll be able to get through this, I know you can.
(:

And Arq, I've always admired how much responsibility you've taken on in the GTC.
It's incredible.
The scripts, the costumes, planning, everything.
Incredible.
The few performances I've done with you guys, have been outstanding.
(:

And one last thing...
Thank you.

[AshesFallen]

I agree with the Ninja Camel - We love ya, Arq!