I have just seen a fantastic play. I came to this specific performance because I knew there would be a talk back afterwards. Now, I don’t want to sound highfalutin’ but to me (and many theatre artists) there is a difference between a talkback and a post show discussion. I know this sounds tedious but just hear me out.
This is how the talk back went and how a lot of talkbacks can play out. The play ends and the director and cast come out on stage. Someone moderates and asks the audience if they have any questions for the cast or director. There isn’t any real structure to the talkback or specific questions for the audience prepared ahead of time based on the themes of the play, the directing, or production style. It is really just a sort of question and answer session. Okay, sounds good. That can be fun right? Except, here is where trouble can arise; an audience member decides not ask a question, but rather state an opinion. This opinion is about how they didn’t “like” the way a specific moment or scene happened. They go on to say that “they” would have done it “this” way because “it just didn’t work for me and if you did it my way then it would have been better.” Now the cast and director are slightly offended because they have put a lot of time and thought into whatever it was the audience member didn’t “like.” Next the moderator thanks them for their feedback and tries to move on because what else can they do? Suddenly an actor decides to tell the opinionated audience member why it was “the way it was” and in a tone that says, “back off non theatre person, this is our show and it’s great and thanks a lot for insulting us!” Now everyone is uncomfortable because the audience member retorts with another negative comment. Finally the moderator decides that’s enough for tonight, thanks everyone for coming and we all go home feeling like “what just happened?”
Now, I am not saying all “talk backs” play out this way and that using the term post show discussion will prevent this scenario from happening. I am also not saying the audience shouldn’t have an opinion or shouldn’t have every right to share that opinion. What I am saying is that a post show discussion is a thought out and prepared examination and dialogue that has a structure to help prevent negative scenarios from occurring. A post show discussion involves the audience and the cast and crew in a productive and helpful way, versus a talk back where essentially there is no structure other than “have any questions folks?” A post show discussion is hopefully an opportunity for the audience to engage and feel like their thoughts and feelings are heard and valued in addition to the cast and crew felling appreciated and respected.
Therefor let me tell you what I think a post-show discussion should look like; the play ends, and maybe the cast, director and crew come out on stage. Or maybe they don’t and it is just the audience and moderator. Either way can work. Perhaps the discussion is in the theatre or perhaps everyone goes to the lobby and grabs a drink or coffee and then the moderator says, “Hey everybody! Thanks for coming. Now, lets talk about what we just experienced together!”
No matter where a post show discussion is held it should be an opportunity for the actors, director, and audience get to interact in a relaxed causal setting which is extremely dependent on how the moderator sets up the discussion. The moderator should begin with a question for the audience that hopefully helps them feel comfortable sharing. Maybe the question is, “Tell me one word to describe how this play made you feel.” Or possibly, “what images, sounds, or phrases come to mind based on what you just saw?” There are a lot of questions that a moderator can start with and the great thing is because it is a discussion there is no “right” answer. The point is for the moderator to ask questions in order to guide the discussion in a positive and fun way that creates a feeling of sharing valued opinions.
To me post-show discussions are about fostering community. I love theatre for many reasons but one of those reasons is the community that is created when making theatre. Everyone from the stage manager to the actors to the costume designer is working towards the same goal; to make this the best production is can be. A structured, carefully thought out post show discussion hopefully honors that hard work and community. It should honor the people who have spent countless hours working towards this goal as well as the audience members who took the time out of their busy lives and paid money to come share in the magic of theatre. A post show discussion can further honor the audience by including them in a conversation through asking them thoughtful questions about their experience.
I recently spoke with Peter Davis, a playwright, director, and theatre artist in Baltimore, who has moderated many post show discussions. He said, “through structure you can create and foster more open space for a discussion.” Essentially he is saying that by focusing a discussion you actually open it up and create more room for an audience to share their thoughts. Davis also speaks of community and connection, “The point of theatre is to connect and a post discussion is another opportunity to connect and foster a feeling of community.” I couldn’t agree more.
Post show discussions and play development are gaining more momentum and many theatre’s seem to be veering away from the old talkback format and realizing that a well thought out and planned discussion creates a much more positive, educational, and stimulating conversation for everyone involved. In all honesty, no matter what you call it (though I much prefer post show discussion), it should be a time to connect, feel valued as an artist and a paying audience member as well as empower everyone involved to know that they are part of a community. A community where one cannot exist with out the other; audience and artist communicating with each other in a thoughtful, lively, and respectful way.
This is how the talk back went and how a lot of talkbacks can play out. The play ends and the director and cast come out on stage. Someone moderates and asks the audience if they have any questions for the cast or director. There isn’t any real structure to the talkback or specific questions for the audience prepared ahead of time based on the themes of the play, the directing, or production style. It is really just a sort of question and answer session. Okay, sounds good. That can be fun right? Except, here is where trouble can arise; an audience member decides not ask a question, but rather state an opinion. This opinion is about how they didn’t “like” the way a specific moment or scene happened. They go on to say that “they” would have done it “this” way because “it just didn’t work for me and if you did it my way then it would have been better.” Now the cast and director are slightly offended because they have put a lot of time and thought into whatever it was the audience member didn’t “like.” Next the moderator thanks them for their feedback and tries to move on because what else can they do? Suddenly an actor decides to tell the opinionated audience member why it was “the way it was” and in a tone that says, “back off non theatre person, this is our show and it’s great and thanks a lot for insulting us!” Now everyone is uncomfortable because the audience member retorts with another negative comment. Finally the moderator decides that’s enough for tonight, thanks everyone for coming and we all go home feeling like “what just happened?”
Now, I am not saying all “talk backs” play out this way and that using the term post show discussion will prevent this scenario from happening. I am also not saying the audience shouldn’t have an opinion or shouldn’t have every right to share that opinion. What I am saying is that a post show discussion is a thought out and prepared examination and dialogue that has a structure to help prevent negative scenarios from occurring. A post show discussion involves the audience and the cast and crew in a productive and helpful way, versus a talk back where essentially there is no structure other than “have any questions folks?” A post show discussion is hopefully an opportunity for the audience to engage and feel like their thoughts and feelings are heard and valued in addition to the cast and crew felling appreciated and respected.
Therefor let me tell you what I think a post-show discussion should look like; the play ends, and maybe the cast, director and crew come out on stage. Or maybe they don’t and it is just the audience and moderator. Either way can work. Perhaps the discussion is in the theatre or perhaps everyone goes to the lobby and grabs a drink or coffee and then the moderator says, “Hey everybody! Thanks for coming. Now, lets talk about what we just experienced together!”
No matter where a post show discussion is held it should be an opportunity for the actors, director, and audience get to interact in a relaxed causal setting which is extremely dependent on how the moderator sets up the discussion. The moderator should begin with a question for the audience that hopefully helps them feel comfortable sharing. Maybe the question is, “Tell me one word to describe how this play made you feel.” Or possibly, “what images, sounds, or phrases come to mind based on what you just saw?” There are a lot of questions that a moderator can start with and the great thing is because it is a discussion there is no “right” answer. The point is for the moderator to ask questions in order to guide the discussion in a positive and fun way that creates a feeling of sharing valued opinions.
To me post-show discussions are about fostering community. I love theatre for many reasons but one of those reasons is the community that is created when making theatre. Everyone from the stage manager to the actors to the costume designer is working towards the same goal; to make this the best production is can be. A structured, carefully thought out post show discussion hopefully honors that hard work and community. It should honor the people who have spent countless hours working towards this goal as well as the audience members who took the time out of their busy lives and paid money to come share in the magic of theatre. A post show discussion can further honor the audience by including them in a conversation through asking them thoughtful questions about their experience.
I recently spoke with Peter Davis, a playwright, director, and theatre artist in Baltimore, who has moderated many post show discussions. He said, “through structure you can create and foster more open space for a discussion.” Essentially he is saying that by focusing a discussion you actually open it up and create more room for an audience to share their thoughts. Davis also speaks of community and connection, “The point of theatre is to connect and a post discussion is another opportunity to connect and foster a feeling of community.” I couldn’t agree more.
Post show discussions and play development are gaining more momentum and many theatre’s seem to be veering away from the old talkback format and realizing that a well thought out and planned discussion creates a much more positive, educational, and stimulating conversation for everyone involved. In all honesty, no matter what you call it (though I much prefer post show discussion), it should be a time to connect, feel valued as an artist and a paying audience member as well as empower everyone involved to know that they are part of a community. A community where one cannot exist with out the other; audience and artist communicating with each other in a thoughtful, lively, and respectful way.