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Regional theater in the United States

March 08, 2023

A regional theater or resident theater in the United States is a professional or semi-professional theater company that produces its own seasons. The term regional theater most often refers to a professional theater outside New York City. A regional theater may be a for-profit or not-for-profit entity and may be unionized or non-union.

Overview

Regional theaters often produce new plays and challenging works that do not necessarily have the commercial appeal required of a Broadway production. Companies often round out their seasons with selections from classic dramas, popular comedies, and musicals. Some regional theaters have a loyal and predictable base of audience members, which can give the company latitude to experiment with a range of unknown or "non-commercial" works. In 2003, Time magazine praised regional theaters in general, and some top theaters in particular, for their enrichment of the theater culture in the United States.[1] Some regional theaters serve as the "out-of-town tryout" for Broadway-bound shows, and some will even accept touring Broadway shows.

The types of plays which are staged at regional theaters vary dramatically. While some are devoted to the classics, others only produce new work, or American work, or something else entirely.

Many regional theaters operate at least two stages: a main stage for shows requiring larger sets or cast, and one or more other stages (often studio theaters or black box theaters) for smaller, more experimental or avant-garde productions. In addition to box-office revenue, regional theaters rely on donations from patrons and businesses, season ticket subscriptions, and grants from foundations and government. Some have criticized regional theaters for being conservative in their selection of shows to accommodate the demographics of their subscribers and donors.[2] However, regional theaters are often much more experimental than commercial theaters are.

Theaters that develop new work, like the Alley Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, McCarter Theatre and Berkeley Repertory Theatre, often work to move their productions to Broadway venues in New York. They may also educate young audiences through educational outreach programs. Cooperative programs with nearby university theater programs are also common at regional theaters. For example, the Asolo Repertory Theatre is a member of LORT and partners with Florida State University in operating the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.

The two major organizations that help to maintain the general welfare of resident theater in the United States are the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and the Theatre Communications Group (TCG). These organizations encourage communication and good relations between their members and in the community, as well as promoting a larger public interest and support of regional theater.

There are currently 74 LORT theaters located in 29 states and the District of Columbia.[3] LORT acts on behalf of its members in matters pertaining, but not limited to; collective bargaining with unions such as Actors’ Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, representation before government agencies on problems of labor relations, and the handling of disputes between members and their employees or union representatives.[4][5]

Similar in purpose is the Theatre Communications Group. TCG’s mission is to “increase the organizational efficiency of our member theatres, cultivate and celebrate the artistic talent and achievements of the field, and promote a larger public understanding of and appreciation for the theatre.” TCG’s constituency has grown to encompass more than 700[6] members throughout the United States. TCG also publishes the American Theatre Magazine, the ARTSEARCH online employment bulletin, and dramatic literature.[7]

In recognition of the importance of regional theaters in America, the American Theatre Wing gives a Regional Theatre Tony Award to one regional theater each year during the Tony Awards. This recipient is selected based on a recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association and receives an award grant of $25,000.[8]

The Little Theater Movement

In the second and third decades of the twentieth century, there was a push to get away from the conservative, mainstream ideology of Broadway.[9] The Little Theatre Movement was a precursor of the Regional Theater Movement; it was started by theater artists who were concerned that not enough emphasis was being put on experimentation and social issues through the dramatic arts. The belief that theater should be about artistry and not about commerce drove this movement out of New York City. Almost every major city now has a regional theater. The movement altered the face of the American stage and allowed room for new works and new audiences.[10]

Success and controversy

When the first national organization of nonprofit theaters was formed in 1961, there were only 23 regional theaters in the U.S. By 2003, the number of regional theaters had grown to 1,800.[1]

As non-profits, they rely heavily on donations from patrons, and some theaters have been accused of "pandering to the audience," subordinating their artistic ideals in order to please audiences and receive donations.[11] However, nonprofit theaters are under substantially less pressure than commercial theaters. In major markets like New York and Chicago this issue is much less prevalent, as there are dozens of small semi-professional theaters that produce new and experimental work without needing to sell many tickets, as they do not pay most of their artists.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Zoglin, Richard (27 May 2003). . Time. Archived from the original on September 9, 2009. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
  2. ^ Whitehead, Jaan. "Art Will Out"[1], American Theatre, October 2002.
  3. ^ "Who We Are | League of Resident Theatres". lort.org. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  4. ^ League of Resident Theatres, <www.lort.org>
  5. ^ "For Institutions: Is Art the Bottom Line?"[2], American Theatre, May/June 2003.
  6. ^ Group, TCG: Theatre Communications. "TCG: Theatre Communications Group > Membership > Membership Directory". www.tcg.org. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  7. ^ Theatre Communications Group, <www.tcg.org>
  8. ^ "FAQ - About". TonyAwards.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  9. ^ "Composing Ourselves": The Little Theatre Movement and the American Audience, Dorothy Chansky. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2004
  10. ^ Gussow, Mel (1987-09-01). "Regional Theater Prospering". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  11. ^ Dower, David. "Putting the Regional in Regional Theater." Arena Stage: New Play Blog. 11 April 2009. <http://npdp.arenastage.org/2009/04/putting-the-regional-in-regional-theater.html>

External links

  • Theatre Communications Group
  • League of Resident Theatres
  • American Association of Community Theatre

March 08, 2023
regional, theater, united, states, regional, theater, resident, theater, united, states, professional, semi, professional, theater, company, that, produces, seasons, term, regional, theater, most, often, refers, professional, theater, outside, york, city, regi. A regional theater or resident theater in the United States is a professional or semi professional theater company that produces its own seasons The term regional theater most often refers to a professional theater outside New York City A regional theater may be a for profit or not for profit entity and may be unionized or non union Contents 1 Overview 2 The Little Theater Movement 3 Success and controversy 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksOverview EditRegional theaters often produce new plays and challenging works that do not necessarily have the commercial appeal required of a Broadway production Companies often round out their seasons with selections from classic dramas popular comedies and musicals Some regional theaters have a loyal and predictable base of audience members which can give the company latitude to experiment with a range of unknown or non commercial works In 2003 Time magazine praised regional theaters in general and some top theaters in particular for their enrichment of the theater culture in the United States 1 Some regional theaters serve as the out of town tryout for Broadway bound shows and some will even accept touring Broadway shows The types of plays which are staged at regional theaters vary dramatically While some are devoted to the classics others only produce new work or American work or something else entirely Many regional theaters operate at least two stages a main stage for shows requiring larger sets or cast and one or more other stages often studio theaters or black box theaters for smaller more experimental or avant garde productions In addition to box office revenue regional theaters rely on donations from patrons and businesses season ticket subscriptions and grants from foundations and government Some have criticized regional theaters for being conservative in their selection of shows to accommodate the demographics of their subscribers and donors 2 However regional theaters are often much more experimental than commercial theaters are Theaters that develop new work like the Alley Theatre Long Wharf Theatre La Jolla Playhouse McCarter Theatre and Berkeley Repertory Theatre often work to move their productions to Broadway venues in New York They may also educate young audiences through educational outreach programs Cooperative programs with nearby university theater programs are also common at regional theaters For example the Asolo Repertory Theatre is a member of LORT and partners with Florida State University in operating the Florida State University Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training The two major organizations that help to maintain the general welfare of resident theater in the United States are the League of Resident Theatres LORT and the Theatre Communications Group TCG These organizations encourage communication and good relations between their members and in the community as well as promoting a larger public interest and support of regional theater There are currently 74 LORT theaters located in 29 states and the District of Columbia 3 LORT acts on behalf of its members in matters pertaining but not limited to collective bargaining with unions such as Actors Equity Association United Scenic Artists and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society representation before government agencies on problems of labor relations and the handling of disputes between members and their employees or union representatives 4 5 Similar in purpose is the Theatre Communications Group TCG s mission is to increase the organizational efficiency of our member theatres cultivate and celebrate the artistic talent and achievements of the field and promote a larger public understanding of and appreciation for the theatre TCG s constituency has grown to encompass more than 700 6 members throughout the United States TCG also publishes the American Theatre Magazine the ARTSEARCH online employment bulletin and dramatic literature 7 In recognition of the importance of regional theaters in America the American Theatre Wing gives a Regional Theatre Tony Award to one regional theater each year during the Tony Awards This recipient is selected based on a recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association and receives an award grant of 25 000 8 The Little Theater Movement EditIn the second and third decades of the twentieth century there was a push to get away from the conservative mainstream ideology of Broadway 9 The Little Theatre Movement was a precursor of the Regional Theater Movement it was started by theater artists who were concerned that not enough emphasis was being put on experimentation and social issues through the dramatic arts The belief that theater should be about artistry and not about commerce drove this movement out of New York City Almost every major city now has a regional theater The movement altered the face of the American stage and allowed room for new works and new audiences 10 Success and controversy EditWhen the first national organization of nonprofit theaters was formed in 1961 there were only 23 regional theaters in the U S By 2003 the number of regional theaters had grown to 1 800 1 As non profits they rely heavily on donations from patrons and some theaters have been accused of pandering to the audience subordinating their artistic ideals in order to please audiences and receive donations 11 However nonprofit theaters are under substantially less pressure than commercial theaters In major markets like New York and Chicago this issue is much less prevalent as there are dozens of small semi professional theaters that produce new and experimental work without needing to sell many tickets as they do not pay most of their artists See also Edit Theatre portalCommunity theatre List of LORT Member Theatres Regional Theatre Tony Award Broadway theatre for the other main category of American theatreReferences Edit a b Zoglin Richard 27 May 2003 Bigger than Broadway Time Archived from the original on September 9 2009 Retrieved 2008 05 30 Whitehead Jaan Art Will Out 1 American Theatre October 2002 Who We Are League of Resident Theatres lort org Retrieved 2018 10 03 League of Resident Theatres lt www lort org gt For Institutions Is Art the Bottom Line 2 American Theatre May June 2003 Group TCG Theatre Communications TCG Theatre Communications Group gt Membership gt Membership Directory www tcg org Retrieved 2018 10 03 Theatre Communications Group lt www tcg org gt FAQ About TonyAwards com Retrieved 2018 10 03 Composing Ourselves The Little Theatre Movement and the American Audience Dorothy Chansky Carbondale Southern Illinois University Press 2004 Gussow Mel 1987 09 01 Regional Theater Prospering The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved 2022 09 02 Dower David Putting the Regional in Regional Theater Arena Stage New Play Blog 11 April 2009 lt http npdp arenastage org 2009 04 putting the regional in regional theater html gt External links EditTheatre Communications Group League of Resident Theatres American Association of Community Theatre Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Regional theater in the United States amp oldid 1108107546, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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