Row X guest post by Katya Johanson, Professor of Audience Research at Deakin University, Australia. This is the fourth in a series on Row X will be featuring short essays written by the co-editors of the Routledge Companion to Audiences and the Performing Arts, a major reference work published in April 2022. The series is introduced here.The Companion represents a truly multi-dimensional exploration of the inter-relationships between audiences and performance. Spread over four sections and … [Read more...] about Shorts: Adventures in Thinking About Audiences
“I don’t get it.” Or, The Mystery of the Orange Statues
Clicking through Facebook last month, I saw a photo of bright orange statues on a lush green lawn. 120 orange statues of women in STEM fields were going to be exhibited in the Smithsonian Gardens during March for Women’s History Month, an AP story by Ashraf Khalil read. My analytical mind kicked in and thoughts tumbled. First: “Why are they orange?” Second: “Is there a reason?” Then: “Surely there’s a reason. Bright orange wouldn’t have been chosen without a reason. Was it a … [Read more...] about “I don’t get it.” Or, The Mystery of the Orange Statues
A special time of year…really.
Row X blog by Hannah Grannemann Your audience circled December on their calendar last spring. They didn’t want to miss the holiday show this year. Seeing something earlier than December was possible…they’d have to feel it out…but they would really try to get back to their holiday show. The holidays just weren’t the same last year without a trip to the theater to see their favorite production. Anticipating the show this year would be a little light shining for them through all the uncertainty … [Read more...] about A special time of year…really.
The Hope and Frustration of Understanding Audiences
Row X blog by Hannah Grannemann Sometimes I hear or read an interview with an author, and I immediately add their book to my too-long to-read list. Sometimes the interview is all I need. One of the ways in which I’d like to bring value to you, the readers of this blog, is to occasionally write about academic works that I think have value for arts professionals, the primary audience for Row X. This is the first of those posts. Much of what I read is interesting but, in my view, not … [Read more...] about The Hope and Frustration of Understanding Audiences
“But how is it?” Audience Confidence, COVID and After
Row X blog by Hannah Grannemann “Has anyone been to a show at the Tanger center yet? I know masks are required, but how is it? I have two Littles at home, and my mask has a filter, I just want to be comfortable and safe going there. Please do not turn this into anything political or negative comments, I’m just looking for reassurance…” More than 70 responses followed this question about the new performing arts center on my neighborhood’s Nextdoor page. “They require masks and also … [Read more...] about “But how is it?” Audience Confidence, COVID and After