I loathe bad theater and most theatre is very bad because it’s repetitious, unexciting and, dangerously, it is sometimes praised for those things.
Fiona Shaw
Thing is, whether you agree with her or not (and I’m not saying I don’t), this quote is a great reminder of some of the things we need to do!
When I teach, I teach a Big Fat Golden Rule. When I produce and direct, I try to live by it.
That rule is this:
Cardinal Sin #1 in the theatre is Being Boring.
We’ve got to compete with DVD’s, MTV, Wi-Fi, Xbox, Netflix, Gameboy, iPods, and Movies on My freakin’ Phone.
Being boring will be the death of the whole artform.
So. Keeping it exciting. Non-repetitious. NOT BORING. This is our challenge.
Keeping it relevant.
In an artform where, as it’s been pointed out by people smarter than I, the last major innovation was the introduction of ELECTRICITY.
So.
This is the challenge when picking a season.
This is the challenge when directing a play.
This is the challenge when running a theatre.
Do. Not. Be. BORING.
Tony Caselli 
I love that quote by Fiona Shaw. I think I’ll steal it and put it on the sidebar of my journal.
While I agree with you in many ways, I think boring is a troublesome word choice.
Not because I disagree with you (so much theatre is DAMN BORING), but boring is in the eye of the beholder.
To some people, Superbowl Sunday is The Third Coming. I would rather gouge out my own eyeballs with a toothpick.
So for me, the bottom line is
Tell, with all of the truth in your heart, the story that you must tell.
Thanks for posting this.
It really got me thinking tonight which is quite a feat at the moment.
That’s a really great point, Kate. You’re right, Tell The Story You Must Tell.
This is a great topic, I love talking about this stuff! 🙂
I also agree with you, though, I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. In truth, it’s all subjective (as with you and football). However, I think that the Tell Your Story part of it is a vital ingredient of Don’t Be Boring, because even if what you’re making people feel is “Oh my God I don’t agree with anything they’re saying or doing”, then at least they’re FEELING something. And, as a whole, that’s one of the biggest threats to the professional theatre out there: not moving people, that stigma of “Theatre? That’s boring!” (There are artists who will tell their own story, but be so self involved that they forget that this is a very give-n-take artform and you MUST keep the audience in mind, I think is what I’m saying. One of the director’s biggest jobs is to be the advocate for the audience.)
So, to sum up what has become a long reply (!), I think you’re right, and I’m going to steal your “Tell the story that you must tell” line. (I’ll credit you, when I use it, though!) 🙂 At the same time, I will preach that it should be told with energy, spirit, imagination, and a goal of not alienating the audience, but moving them. Making them feel something, and not being boring! (Not that you’re advocating for anything else – *laughing* – boring would be one thing I would never use to describe you or your work!)
That’s what I think, anyway. You? We have to keep talking about these things, I love it.
And I thank you for that. I have to say Tony, ever since the first time I heard you say that, I have kept it in mind in every project I have tackled. Have I ever properly thanked you for being an amazing mentor? I know you are swamped now, but let me know when I can buy you a coffee and a big chocolate chip cookie.
Thanks, Callie! I don’t know about “amazing”, but I appreciate the thought!
I’ll ALWAYS want coffee and big chocolate chips.
Oh, and read Kate’s comments above, I think they’re a great continuation of this topic!
Yes, yes… good comments. Fun line of thought to read.
But the real question is, can I get in on this coffee/big chocolate chip cookie situation?
ECSS
If you make me a sandwich.