Anyone into Theatre or the Arts?

[nate1714]

I work in theatres as a designer (lighting, sound, scenic) and have noticed a lot less people attending shows in the past few years. Yes the economy is partly to blame but, there has to be another reason. Are the Arts just not cool anymore? Just frustrated and looking for BF to solve my problems (as usual).

 

[BA_Colt]

It's the economy. I was a full time scenic painter and now just do it from time to time. The large shop (150 people) I used to work at switched over from mostly a scenic shop, corporate theater, trade shows, and museum shows to mostly custom millwork and even with that they laid off 3/4 of the staff.

 

[Frostyfingers]

I love the arts. :thumbup: I attend several local theaters when I get the chance, but as a full-time student with a job and a fiancee, I don't get much time. I don't get a chance to go to a lot of museums, as I live in a rather rural area, but I have been to museums in Louisville, Chicago, NYC, D.C., and several other cities.

So in short, it's a time/money thing for me. I do feel that the arts are in decline, though, for lots of reasons. Kudos for keeping them alive.

 

[gazz98]

I didn't vote, I'm between the first two choices.

I love museums although I admittedly like an Air/Space/Military/Maritime museum or Greenfield village type vs the typical art/sculpture museum. I love the Smithsonian in DC.

I will visit an art gallery on occasion too. Art is hit or miss with me. Some I love, but I just don't get the fingerpaint stuff that looked like it was done by a 4 year old or other similar type off-the-wall type displays.

I would enjoy the theatre more if I had a bigger bank account. I like the broadway stuff but can't afford the broadway prices. I have seen some of the cheaper, local, amateur theatre and it too was either very good or bad depending on the production. I have an appreciation for the folks who can do that type of stuff tho.

I think the economy is mainly to blame. I would also point out that the theatre and art budgets are usually the first to be cut in most school districts too. The typical modern day teenager probably hasn't been exposed to the theatre and arts like a 30 something like myself. Besides, they are glued to the tv with xbox, wii, etc. or on the internet all day.

 

[gundude73]

yeah this poll is in absolutes. i like museums but i dont spend all my time at them. it also depends on the museum. now one i would love to go to is the National Firearm Museum. now that would be fun.

 

[mwerner]

We generally try to get to the local big "theater" at least once a year, the Fabulous Fox.
Usually, the kids give us tickets for Xmas.
We also try to get to at least a couple of local productions as well; we have some really nice local theater companies.
Last thing we saw was called "Tomfoolery", a staged review of Tom Lehrer songs.

We also try to get in a trip to the St. Louis Art Museum at least yearly, and we'll hit any of the big exhibitions that come through....As well as a couple of local art shows.

So...Yeah. I've dabbled with painting and sculpture myself, sold a few things over the years.

 

[kozak6]

As a student with no car and rapidly decreasing amounts of money and time, it's rather difficult and often not worth the effort and money when it's even possible to attend such things.

I'm open to the idea of theatre, but the above problems have always been near unsurmountable.

Art is hit or miss with me. Some I love, but I just don't get the fingerpaint stuff that looked like it was done by a 4 year old or other similar type off-the-wall type displays.

And this is a tremendously large factor for me too. If I have to go so far out of my way, I need to see something more interesting than blue rectangles and drunken paint splatters.

I really enjoyed ceramics and sculpture in high school, but it's not possible to take any of those classes without changing majors and a completing another year of prerequisites first.

I do have some of my grandfather's metal casting equipment I've been meaning to figure out, though.