TheatreAddict.com - Bakersfield Drama Blog

I was excited to see lots of interest today as I "hit the streets" to talk about the site. Stopped by Channel 29 earlier to chat with them. It was really fun and the short segment they cut just aired on the 5 O'Clock news. A bit harrowing (I hate watching myself) but it was awesome to get some attention for TheatreAddict.com which in turn will be giving attention to local theatre. The people in the newsroom seemed genuinely interested, which is awesome, and asked lots of questions. Had a fun moment when I mentioned MySpace and asked how many of them used the site. The entire newsroom staff looked around, giggling with those knowing looks. Guilty! A room full of myspacers (like me). I just found myself a bunch more peeps for my friends list. Thanks a bunch to the people at 29 for the interest and call me anytime! I'm happy to come down and talk theatre whenever.

Then, this afternoon the wife and I stopped by Tailgaters to talk with N.L. Belardes. I'll be appearing on his Buck City Podcast when it is released later this week. N.L. is a great guy and one of my inspirations for starting this whole thing. He inspired me to see how creative use of technology (like blogs & podcasts) can become a powerful promotional tool to bring attention to the arts. N.L. has been doing this for years and has made some big waves in the local music scene. When I saw what was possible I instantly saw how important it was to focus this movement on local theatre, which remains polarized as a community and ignored by locals who just don't know about all the cool stuff going on. I told N.L. a few months ago that I wanted to be "the N.L. Belardes of local theatre." I think we are both complimented by that idea.

Read N.L.'s short article about my TV appearance today on his blog by clicking here.

I am glad to be getting the word out and am happy that people are seeing the opportunity this offers local drama, but most of all I really want local theatre people to know that this is your website. I'm going after this attention because this effort is meant to start a revolution up in here, and change the way Bakersfield sees local entertainment. Today I fired the opening shots, and in the coming months and years I hope to wage a full scale assault on the consciousness of Bakersfield until theatre gets the attention it deserves.

More to come, theatre addicts. Check out the calendar, go see some shows, and send me your thoughts! Peace out and talk to you again soon.