Behind the Scenes: A Delicate Balance
Added 2021-10-24 20:48:57 +0000 UTCMr. Snapper and I have decades of stage experience. We've produced, written, directed, and performed in many works throughout our years. There's an interesting challenge that we've faced from all sides: a small audience.
I produced a show in North Hollywood for some months a decade ago. I thought people in the Valley (home of porn) would love to come out to a small theater for Sunday night burlesque. The show wasn't so late that it messed with making it to the office in the morning, and not so early that people weren't ready for entertainment.
I couldn't fill the house, no matter what I tried. (I found out that the stage manager for the theater was hiding my promotion when I wasn't there, but that wasn't the only factor for the small houses.) Turns out that Valley people were family people, and they weren't turning out for tassels on a Sunday night. It didn't matter how much I spent on Facebook ads or how many friends I comped, I couldn't fill the place. It was frustrating as a producer and a performer.
No matter how many people are in the audience, you still have to give them your best.
Mr. Snapper and I ran into a challenge as a hosting pair for a couple of small audiences. You want to give them the best, most entertaining show you can. You also have to acknowledge that the show is a bit more intimate.
Where is the balance? How much intimacy and acknowledgment is enough for the audience before they feel singled out and uncomfortable at a burlesque show? This is something I'm trying to resolve. Any thoughts?
