TheatreAddict.com - Bakersfield Drama Blog

Whoa, whoa, whoa... I am definitely not using the History of Rock and Roll or the Spotlight as an example of shortcomings in the theatre community.

This is about living up to our full buzz potential, remember?

The truth of it is, I consider the show a friend and a good example of positive things in the theatre community. This is why I chose it to point out examples of how we can create more buzz...and recall I am primarily addressing the theatreaddict movement and asking for more involvement in what I am trying to do (using podcasts and blogs to get the word out).

Yes, there is a tendency in theatre in general to remain insular, and yes that exists somewhat in Bakersfield...but you're right, the Spotlight and HR&R are examples of those bad habits being thrown to the wind. I am fully aware of how hard the cast the cast has worked to sell the show and it has worked! There is a buzz in Bakersfield about it. I simply used them as an example to point out a few easy things that we can do to create more media buzz. That's all...

I'm trying to grow a medium that will always be there for theatre to use. So when the TV stations don't have room to put you on, or when a show just doesn't have that kind of appeal we will always have our own means, our own loudspeaker to shout to the moon about the projects we're working on. I want theatreaddict.com to exist 10 years from now, and by then I may have kids and will have passed it along to someone else to run.

Anyway...I hope my real points (all positive and loving) weren't overshadowed by an assumed criticism. As I said, I simply want to begin a dialogue about using these new mediums to buzz about theatre. The theatre community has really opened up in the last few years, there is sharing and a mutual love going on that is beautiful. The time is ripe to explode the whole theatre scene into mainstream Bakersfield and I want to start working on that now...with you.

And while I am readdressing this whole subject... One reason I wanted to bring this up now is because I see the upcoming "bakotopia" theatre feature as a real opportunity to expand the notoriety of local theatre, and I want you (the theatre community) to take advantage of it with me. Bakotopia is going to be reaching out to us, promoting us, and basically inviting us to start using their site. Bakersfield.com and bakotopia.com have free blogs and are starting communities that are a bit like a mix of myspace and craigslist. The thing is...how cool would it be to have someone browsing the Bakersfield Californian's website and find your blog about your show, and then come to see it? Or perhaps a musician looking at bands on Bakotopia might take a step into local drama.

These are opportunities that are coming our way, and I want to be sure that we are all primed and ready to take advantage. That's all!

Hugs and kisses to the cast of History of Rock & Roll. You know I love ya. I wouldn't never do ya like that, baby.

posted by TheatreAddict.com  # 11:44 AM