An anonymous author once wrote, "The Earth without art is just 'eh'." While your message was heard loud and clear throughout the vast expanse of the world's cultures, I hate to break it to you, Anonymous, but some of small town America seems to have missed the point. Here are just a few of the things I have learned from working as a theatre artist in a small southern "all-American" town.
1. If you want it done, do it yourself!
It can be frustrating when you find yourself hunting down the props you told your actors to obtain four weeks ago as you enter final dress rehearsal, but, hey, you get to play the part of the hero and sometimes that's not such a bad gig!
2. What is this thing you call "budget"?
You know you're in small town America when your only budget comes from the chicken-que you had last weekend and the concession sales of last season's shows. But, hey, that's why they call them "starving artists," right?
3. "I know it's your opening night, but we need the stage for a board meeting!"
I can't even begin to tell you how many times my high school theatre department was kicked off of the stage on final dress in lieu of a board meeting or Christmas party. Get used to being put on the back burner, even when you're the performing artists in the performing arts building.
4. Set pieces can come from anywhere.
I once made a tablecloth out of crinoline and hunted down old tree limbs on the side of the road to use as stump seating. Don't underestimate the ability of a designer on a budget... ever.
5. The same goes for costumes.
Just give me some material and duct tape and I can make just about anything.
6. Theatre class and automotive class can share a classroom, right?
It wasn't so bad until one of the shop kids nailed a sandwich to the wall and blamed it on us so that we couldn't use the adjoining construction room. 32 high school students trying to rehearse in 120 square feet along with seven tables - What could go wrong?
7. Sometimes your hard work goes unappreciated...
...but the people who truly matter always know.
8. Show dates between theatre companies always seem to overlap...
...even when there are only two companies in the entire community.
9. Arts vs. Sports - a fight that's never won.
When they announce every sports participant by name, surname and event over the intercom during second period, but putting up a poster for this weekend's show is considered clutter. I guess the Friday Night Lights will always overpower the spotlight in some towns. What're ya gonna do?
10. 'Ohana' means 'family', and 'family' means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.
Even though working with little to no resources can be frustrating, the fact that theatre is a rare beast in my town just works to bring those who enjoy it closer together. Not enough roles for the people who showed up to auditions? Just create a small character or a new position in design! We never turn anyone away because we believe that everyone has something to offer. We grow together as artists and in turn our little theatre community flourishes in its own little way. We always cheer each other on from the sidelines when one of us manages to find a spotlight. Once you're in the theatre family, you're in for life. My theatrical journey in our little town has dragged me through every aspect of the theatre world, feeding my passion and confirming that I want to be a part of this crazy world for the rest of my life, doing whatever I possibly can. I couldn't be more proud of my theatre roots.
