Comments on: Lost Post: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/lost-post-planes-trains-and-automobiles/ Creating art. Not waste. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:09:43 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Lindsay Jones responds | The Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/lost-post-planes-trains-and-automobiles/#comment-357 Lindsay Jones responds | The Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:39:43 +0000 http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/?p=185#comment-357 [...] I recently posted a previously unpublished entry entitled Planes, Trains, and Automobiles on the trouble with the abundance of travel in American theater I asked my friend Lindsay Jones to [...] [...] I recently posted a previously unpublished entry entitled Planes, Trains, and Automobiles on the trouble with the abundance of travel in American theater I asked my friend Lindsay Jones to [...]

]]> By: On Localism | The Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/lost-post-planes-trains-and-automobiles/#comment-355 On Localism | The Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:35:59 +0000 http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/?p=185#comment-355 [...] the) generalist versus (the idea of the) specialist*, I’d like to make sure that the gist of my original post comes through loud and clear: maintaining the current paradigm of the nationally (or [...] [...] the) generalist versus (the idea of the) specialist*, I’d like to make sure that the gist of my original post comes through loud and clear: maintaining the current paradigm of the nationally (or [...]

]]> By: Lindsay Jones responds « ecoTheater http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/lost-post-planes-trains-and-automobiles/#comment-311 Lindsay Jones responds « ecoTheater Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:53:30 +0000 http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/?p=185#comment-311 [...] recently posted a previously unpublished entry entitled Planes, Trains, and Automobiles on the trouble with the abundance of travel in American theater I asked my friend Lindsay Jones to [...] [...] recently posted a previously unpublished entry entitled Planes, Trains, and Automobiles on the trouble with the abundance of travel in American theater I asked my friend Lindsay Jones to [...]

]]> By: On Localism « ecoTheater http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/lost-post-planes-trains-and-automobiles/#comment-305 On Localism « ecoTheater Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:11:16 +0000 http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/?p=185#comment-305 [...] generalist versus (the idea of the) specialist, I’d like to make sure that the gist of my original post comes through loud and clear: maintaining the current paradigm of the nationally (or [...] [...] generalist versus (the idea of the) specialist, I’d like to make sure that the gist of my original post comes through loud and clear: maintaining the current paradigm of the nationally (or [...]

]]> By: lawler http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/lost-post-planes-trains-and-automobiles/#comment-302 lawler Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:46:54 +0000 http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/?p=185#comment-302 Agreed. But, (yes, but) I don't want to be a complete exclusionist, and I think there is room for the specialist in a new model of theater. This is what I'm trying to say: specialists can exist, because in reality most specialists (certainly including Lindsay Jones) are creative artists outside of their specialty, and can be part of an ensemble, local, tribal (what have you) theater company while still focusing on their specialty. I simply don't think it needs to be a total black and white issue. Agreed. But, (yes, but) I don’t want to be a complete exclusionist, and I think there is room for the specialist in a new model of theater. This is what I’m trying to say: specialists can exist, because in reality most specialists (certainly including Lindsay Jones) are creative artists outside of their specialty, and can be part of an ensemble, local, tribal (what have you) theater company while still focusing on their specialty. I simply don’t think it needs to be a total black and white issue.

]]> By: Scott Walters http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/lost-post-planes-trains-and-automobiles/#comment-301 Scott Walters Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:52:56 +0000 http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/?p=185#comment-301 You say: "many artists want to be specialists, will always be specialists, and will never embrace the idea of the generalist — what then?" What then, indeed? There are probably many people who want to be horse-and-buggy drivers, but there isn't a huge call for them. As long as the theatre remains focused on the specialist, it will continue its downward slide into economic disaster and social irrelevance. Harsh? You bet. The model doesn't work. The idea that theatre as it is currently configured is a "business" is laughable -- it is a business like playing Lotto is a business. You say: “many artists want to be specialists, will always be specialists, and will never embrace the idea of the generalist — what then?” What then, indeed? There are probably many people who want to be horse-and-buggy drivers, but there isn’t a huge call for them. As long as the theatre remains focused on the specialist, it will continue its downward slide into economic disaster and social irrelevance. Harsh? You bet. The model doesn’t work. The idea that theatre as it is currently configured is a “business” is laughable — it is a business like playing Lotto is a business.

]]> By: lawler http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/lost-post-planes-trains-and-automobiles/#comment-296 lawler Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:48:34 +0000 http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/?p=185#comment-296 Of course I think you're on to something Scott, and I know how you feel about specialists. But (perhaps playing devil's advocate), consider that many artists want to be specialists, will always be specialists, and will never embrace the idea of the generalist -- what then? I had a rather lengthy email conversation with Jones about all of this, and I don't think we need to eliminate the specialist in order to solve this problem. But maybe we must reduce the number of specialists. It occurs to me that (depending on the size of the region), a certain number of specialists could be gainfully employed on a regular basis by simply contributing to the theaters (and other performing arts organizations) in their region, minimizing travel immensely. The hardest part of Jones' argument to swallow for me was the implication that talented designers simply do not exist in certain parts of the country -- that's nonsense. If these so-called specialists chose a region based on where they wanted to live, rather than where they believed they had to live (to find work), they could create the theater they wanted where they wanted, knowing that other talented artists would be there too, right? Of course I think you’re on to something Scott, and I know how you feel about specialists. But (perhaps playing devil’s advocate), consider that many artists want to be specialists, will always be specialists, and will never embrace the idea of the generalist — what then? I had a rather lengthy email conversation with Jones about all of this, and I don’t think we need to eliminate the specialist in order to solve this problem. But maybe we must reduce the number of specialists.

It occurs to me that (depending on the size of the region), a certain number of specialists could be gainfully employed on a regular basis by simply contributing to the theaters (and other performing arts organizations) in their region, minimizing travel immensely. The hardest part of Jones’ argument to swallow for me was the implication that talented designers simply do not exist in certain parts of the country — that’s nonsense. If these so-called specialists chose a region based on where they wanted to live, rather than where they believed they had to live (to find work), they could create the theater they wanted where they wanted, knowing that other talented artists would be there too, right?

]]> By: Scott Walters http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/lost-post-planes-trains-and-automobiles/#comment-295 Scott Walters Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:29:41 +0000 http://ecotheater.wordpress.com/?p=185#comment-295 There's a piece missing here -- or rather, an underlying assumption that needs to be brought up to the surface for examination. Lindsay Jones wants to make his living as a specialist -- a sound designer. So his analysis is probably correct, at least to some extent, given his assumptions. I would assert, however, that such specialization is not desirable for the regional theatre. I don't think that regional theatres can afford to have people around who do only one thing, whether that one thing is act, direct, design, or market. While a specialist is likely to have more skills than a non-specialist by virtue of focusing solely on one thing, such "narrow-casting" simply assures that a migrant life is necessary. If I am operating a regional theatre tribe, I am willing to trade that extra virtuosity that a specialist brings for a multi-disciplined artist who will maintain an ongoing relationship with the company and with the audience. There’s a piece missing here — or rather, an underlying assumption that needs to be brought up to the surface for examination. Lindsay Jones wants to make his living as a specialist — a sound designer. So his analysis is probably correct, at least to some extent, given his assumptions. I would assert, however, that such specialization is not desirable for the regional theatre. I don’t think that regional theatres can afford to have people around who do only one thing, whether that one thing is act, direct, design, or market. While a specialist is likely to have more skills than a non-specialist by virtue of focusing solely on one thing, such “narrow-casting” simply assures that a migrant life is necessary. If I am operating a regional theatre tribe, I am willing to trade that extra virtuosity that a specialist brings for a multi-disciplined artist who will maintain an ongoing relationship with the company and with the audience.

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