I recently had the pleasure of hearing one of my plays read by a great group of actors at a reading organized by two producers and a director who I know and trust. The actual work that went into this -- one rehearsal, a mailing, some phoning up of commercial producers, etc. -- all went unusually well and so the experience is one I'm sure I'll look back on fondly.
Having said that, there was one thing that just stuck in my craw.
The theatre where we held the reading could not have done more to make their space more unpleasant to visitors. Upon arrival, we were confronted by a pile of trash bags, which by the stench of things, must have been lingering for days waiting to be hauled outside. Two administrators of the space seemed poised for a fight at every turn which left my producer feeling more like a couple's counselor than a producer at times. And the overall feel of the place was so neglected that no matter how committed to the work we were, we just couldn't help feeling a bit depressed every time we set foot in the place.
Now I've run a theatre company before and I know how hard it is. Volunteers are a necessity and they can be uniquely unreliable. I know... But, really, when you can't be bothered to take out the trash, pick up a broom every now and then or change the toilet paper in the bathroom, maybe it's time to stop doing what you're doing and step aside.
When I have people over to my house for dinner or a party, a meeting or whatever, my primary goal upon opening that front door is to MAKE MY GUESTS FEEL WELCOME. I offer them a seat, offer to take their coat, offer a drink, use of the bathroom, whatever I can do to make them feel "at home." Isn't that the least we can expect of our theatres? That they should do the same for the artists who rent or are invited (as we were) into their space for a short time? To say nothing of the audience who pays for the privilege...
We all know that the financial woes of Off-Off-Bway are too numerous to name here but there are some things that don't cost a penny. Simple tidiness and friendliness go a long way. There is nothing more sad than spending an evening in a theatre that feels as though it's been forgotten by the folks inhabiting it.
Call me old-fashioned but I think a clean and welcoming environment are almost as important as the play itself. Because if the environment is so messy, so disorganized, so completely chaotic, no one in your audience will ever be able to just see and hear and absorb the work. Edward Albee once offered playwrights the following advice. (I paraphrase)
"The most important thing you should carry with you through this difficult career that is playwriting is this. Always have the AC turned up full-blast for 30 minutes prior to your performance. A cold theatre keeps an audience awake. A hot stuffy theatre puts them to sleep." I agree with Mr. Albee in this instance.
And I would add: A smelly theatre makes them wish they could escape.
