TheatreAddict.com - Bakersfield Drama Blog
Rants, raves, and musings about the Bakersfield Theatre community by yours truly - a real life theatre addictFriday, March 17, 2006
Site launch and the holes that need filling
I've been working on getting the calendar updated this week and it's pretty much complete for March & April. March is more than halfway over which means we're getting closer to the official release of TheatreAddict.com. All that is really left to do is starting the process of going out and getting content to add. When I think about it sometimes it is awfully overwhelming; going out and reviewing shows and publishing pictures and podcasts, not to mention maintaining an extensive calendar with tons of local events. It's never-ending.
But, on the other hand, it fits me like a glove. I like to keep track of all the stuff happening and it's really fun. It's rewarding to provide something to the community that wouldn't exist (at this point) without me. Before now, there was no place (be it website or print publication) to quickly see all of the theatre events in town. Sure, the Californian lists events but never every one, not even close. The county website has a listing of events but only ones submitted to them and no one knows about it or has the time to submit. Some theaters have websites, lots don't. Seat Of Your Pants Productions sends out great weekly emails listing all of the theatre in town each week, but his list is mostly theatre people who know anyway. The list isn't advertised on any website because the only theatre websites that exist belong to single theatre companies. So in essence, the general public is left to rely on the local papers and TV news to find out about shows, or go on a google goose-chase looking for theatre websites.
In fact, for most part the only people in Bakersfield who know about ALL of the theatre in town are people like me, theatre addicts who become connected in the theatre community because they spend all of their time on stage and going to see shows. To anyone else the theatre community is fairly innaccessible. I'm sorry to say it but it's true and I'll show you why...
I consider myself pretty average. I work full time and I live in Kern County. I don't subscribe to the paper, and even if I did I wouldn't have time to sift through it every day to find out about upcoming shows, and even if I did the Californian doesn't always list every show. (Not their fault entirely as press releases aren't always sent, but that's how it is). So if I was an average Bakersfieldian, how would I find out about shows? I wouldn't.
The problem goes like this: First, not very many people are interested in the first place. There is a huge population out there who just doesn't know or care about live theatre, and very little is done about this. Second, if they do care, the information isn't there for them to find. A handful of them run across showtimes in the media or stumble across an up-to-date website and a seat in the house is filled. I have to assume that there are others who don't find the information and consequently, miss out.
I want this website to be an instant passport, so that any person on the street can quickly and easily become an involved supporter. It has to be a good thing for someone to be able to jump on this site, quickly see what shows are playing, and call and make reservations. Just like that. On one page I can see all of the shows that are playing on a certain day. I see that a show I want to see is playing at a certain theater, and on another page ALL of the information is listed about that theater. That's got to be good for something.
http://www.theatreaddict.com/listings.htm
On one page you have instant access to all of the info on BCT, Spotlight, Empty Space, Gaslight, BMT, Stars, NOR, Rabobank, The Fox, and the CSUB & BC theatre departments. Addresses, phone numbers, websites, email addresses, ticket prices, seating capacity.
Accessibility to information, at least for anyone who can manage to find their way to theatreaddict.com in the coming years, is taken care of. The next step is to get the word out to everyone else, and I think this effort should help there as well. Anyone who catches a glimpse of this large bustling community of thespians will surely be pleasantly surprised at all of the high quality shows going on every weekend, and it will be my goal to put that story in everyone's faces until it's digested by the masses.
Today, an all-inclusive theatre calendar, tomorrow the world!
But, on the other hand, it fits me like a glove. I like to keep track of all the stuff happening and it's really fun. It's rewarding to provide something to the community that wouldn't exist (at this point) without me. Before now, there was no place (be it website or print publication) to quickly see all of the theatre events in town. Sure, the Californian lists events but never every one, not even close. The county website has a listing of events but only ones submitted to them and no one knows about it or has the time to submit. Some theaters have websites, lots don't. Seat Of Your Pants Productions sends out great weekly emails listing all of the theatre in town each week, but his list is mostly theatre people who know anyway. The list isn't advertised on any website because the only theatre websites that exist belong to single theatre companies. So in essence, the general public is left to rely on the local papers and TV news to find out about shows, or go on a google goose-chase looking for theatre websites.
In fact, for most part the only people in Bakersfield who know about ALL of the theatre in town are people like me, theatre addicts who become connected in the theatre community because they spend all of their time on stage and going to see shows. To anyone else the theatre community is fairly innaccessible. I'm sorry to say it but it's true and I'll show you why...
I consider myself pretty average. I work full time and I live in Kern County. I don't subscribe to the paper, and even if I did I wouldn't have time to sift through it every day to find out about upcoming shows, and even if I did the Californian doesn't always list every show. (Not their fault entirely as press releases aren't always sent, but that's how it is). So if I was an average Bakersfieldian, how would I find out about shows? I wouldn't.
The problem goes like this: First, not very many people are interested in the first place. There is a huge population out there who just doesn't know or care about live theatre, and very little is done about this. Second, if they do care, the information isn't there for them to find. A handful of them run across showtimes in the media or stumble across an up-to-date website and a seat in the house is filled. I have to assume that there are others who don't find the information and consequently, miss out.
I want this website to be an instant passport, so that any person on the street can quickly and easily become an involved supporter. It has to be a good thing for someone to be able to jump on this site, quickly see what shows are playing, and call and make reservations. Just like that. On one page I can see all of the shows that are playing on a certain day. I see that a show I want to see is playing at a certain theater, and on another page ALL of the information is listed about that theater. That's got to be good for something.
http://www.theatreaddict.com/listings.htm
On one page you have instant access to all of the info on BCT, Spotlight, Empty Space, Gaslight, BMT, Stars, NOR, Rabobank, The Fox, and the CSUB & BC theatre departments. Addresses, phone numbers, websites, email addresses, ticket prices, seating capacity.
Accessibility to information, at least for anyone who can manage to find their way to theatreaddict.com in the coming years, is taken care of. The next step is to get the word out to everyone else, and I think this effort should help there as well. Anyone who catches a glimpse of this large bustling community of thespians will surely be pleasantly surprised at all of the high quality shows going on every weekend, and it will be my goal to put that story in everyone's faces until it's digested by the masses.
Today, an all-inclusive theatre calendar, tomorrow the world!
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