So - I went to my camp reunion: if you know me well, then you know I went to camp for a total of ten summers - six as a camper and four as a counsellor. Six decades of campers and counsellors were in attendance: about 300 people, from as early as 1955 up to folks who are still there.
Like at any gathering of non-theater folks, I find it difficult to explain to the layperson what we do.
I will now summarize the conversation I had approximately 17 times this weekend.
RANDOM ALUM: Hey Hal. Are you still acting?
HAL: No, I became a director about 15 years ago
RA: oh. Do you direct movies?
H: no, I am a theater director.
RA: Oh. Which theater do you direct?
H: I am a freelance director. I direct at regional theaters and off broadway.
RA: Anything I would have heard of?
H: probably not.
RA: Do you ever direct on broadway?
H: No. Not yet.
RA: OH. Well, we saw hairspray last month and loved it.
To RA's credit, he/she is truly trying to make sense out of what I do and is genuinely interested. But it is a reminder of how challenging it can be to explain what we do.
7 comments:
Regardless, don't stop coming to the reunions. It was great seeing you. -Bagelman
Regardless, don't stop coming to the reunions. It was great seeing you. -Bagelman
Heh. Try that same conversation about being a dramaturg.
Also in fairness, your answers weren't exactly flowing with follow up information.
If you know what I mean.
I know - I come off as a big meanie. But I am only trying to encapsulate how it feels on my end.
I don't think you came off as a meanie, but as you noted, there was some curiosity about what you do - and that's a good thing.
My bigger problem is trying to explain to people WHY I try to do theatre.
But that's another post.
Nice pic, by the way.
Nice shorts, ch!
love
cousin beck
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