I received a good bit of feedback regarding last week's column, in which I asked why it is that people in Missoula seem to come in throngs whenever a local arts group puts on a free summer outdoor performance, yet relatively fewer come out for those same groups' indoor, ticketed events.The answers I received ranged across the spectrum, from people who thought that the key to the success of those events was the fact that admission is free, to people who thought that it was because you don't have to pay for tickets.
OK, it wasn't really that simple. In fact, people brought up plenty of issues I hadn't really thought about myself.
“To be honest, I would ask the same question that you asked,” said John Driscoll, executive director of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra.
“We have been pretty successful over the past several years at growing our audience; but as we move forward as the community's orchestra and think about where we want to be in the next five and 10 years and beyond, that's a really key question for us, and we just don't have any answers for it right now,” Driscoll continued. “I'm sorry I'm not more help; but when you asked for feedback from the community, all I could think was that I wanted to help you find responses because I really want to know the answer, too.”
I decided to call Greg Johnson, who runs Montana Repertory Theatre. Montana Rep is widely considered one of the top touring theater companies in the nation. Surely Greg would have a bead on what's up.
“It's a really interesting question,” said Johnson. “I know what I think, but I don't know if it's the reality for people making those decisions about what to attend and what not to attend.”
Johnson opined that the personal reservations I expressed last week about the limitations of an outdoor performance context might be exactly opposite of how many people approach the experience.
“In summertime, it's so beautiful that people want to be outside; so if you're presenting something that's outside and it's a beautiful night and people get to hear Shakespeare while they're looking at the stars, it's a great combination,” he pointed out.
Johnson went on to say something that I'd never considered myself - something he put quite elegantly.
“We have so much beauty here in Montana, especially in the summer but in all seasons really, that we're sort of God's showcase,” he said. “Urban centers are man's showcase, and indoor theater is also that kind of experience of human potential and creativity. So it kind of makes sense that people would love to experience both the power of God's hand and the power of human creativity in one environment, which is what you get with that kind of outdoor performance.”
Beautifully put.
That said, Johnson also wanted to point out that the difference in audience numbers at productions by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and those by Montana Rep or even UM's Drama/Dance department aren't always all that disparate.
“It really depends a lot on what we're producing,” said Johnson. “Shakespeare is always a good draw. ‘Hair' did very, very well. Musicals in general often do well. Š So it's not all of a sudden that Shakespeare in the Parks comes to town and this whole new audience comes out of the woodwork. I think a lot of those people come to our productions, but they tend to spread out a little more.”
As to what readers think, many did indeed focus on the fact that these outdoor productions are free.
“Especially people with families, I guess we have to take in where we live as part of our wage since the actual money isn't much,” said Randy Boehmer. “When tickets are $20 or $25, that prohibits a lot of people from going. It's a lot easier to come when you can bring the kids and there's no charge.”
“Free and relaxed with happy families around ... what could be better?” echoed Jori Frakie, a local who works for the Missoula Forum for Children and Youth.
Referring to large-scale touring concert productions, Ellis Campbell of Lolo noted, “The indoor concerts cost at least $25 and never start on time. Most of us old farts are asleep by 10 p.m. and don't want to be out driving with the drunks at dark.”
Generally speaking, Campbell believes that ticketed concerts tend to cost more than most Missoula-area residents can afford. “Missoula wages except for maybe 30 percent of the population are very low,” notes Campbell.
One reader, who left me a voicemail without a call-back number and only the name “Valerie,” took the issue of admission an interesting step further.
“I feel like when the shows are free, there's not as much expectation put on me in terms of what I wear or how much I know about the music or the play,” she said.
So in other words, if I understand Valerie right, it's not just a question of spending money. It's a question of making a commitment to the unknown, and to social codes that - to some - can seem oppressively rigid.
That's a theme echoed in some reader responses at a blog I co-edit, where I asked the same question early this week. The blog is called Flyover (www.ArtsJournal.com/Flyover), and it focuses on arts issues in small towns across America.
“When something occurs in your hometown, in a casual setting (no formal or semi-formal dress code), allows families to picnic (no restaurant pricing), children can wander, fidget, or nap when the mood strikes them, and the event is free, then people are far more likely to go,” wrote Phil Attinger, a theater-head from Florida. “It doesn't ask as much of them, especially of the family budget.”
“I agree that price and family are significant,” wrote Steve Durbin, a blogger from Bozeman who happened to see the same production by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks that I saw. “The other factor is that the character of the event shifts from ‘elite' to community, and that is appealing to many.”
So here's a radical question to leave things with this week: What if every orchestra concert or theater performance were free? It's a question that, it turns out, I'm not the first to ask. But before I dive into what others have said on this topic, I'd once again be interested to know what readers think. Is the problem simply the price?
E-mail me at jnickell@missoulian.com.
SHOW US YOUR CHOPS
There's just a few days left to register for the Trail/Entertainer Music Awards, a contest that will honor the best individual musicians in town. This isn't a band contest - we leave that to the fine folks at PBR to sort out every spring. This is, instead, a showcase for players with the best solo chops. Now, if you sound your best with your own band, that's fine - you can bring them along. You can also hire the house band to play along with you; or just play alone.
But however you choose to do it, we want to hear YOU.
Artists on all instruments, playing all styles, will be considered, with awards given for Best Vocalist, Best Rap Lyricist, Best Drummer, Best Guitar Player, Best Piano/Keyboard Player, Best Bass Player, Best Horn Player, Best Stringed Instrument Player (mandolin, banjo, violin, etc.), Best Songwriter, and Best Entertainer.
Deadline for applications to enter the contest, which will play out at local music clubs during the month of October, is this coming week - Tuesday Sept. 18, to be exact. Find out more info and register online at Missoulian.com/ EntertainerAwards, or drop by the offices of either the Missoulian or the Trail.
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