Isn't it ironic that before there was Film and TV, everyone went to the theatre, but now only people who are

Question

rich/cultured go. How do we bring live theatre back to the masses

Answer 1

Price may part of the problem, but theater is live actors everyday, not projections on a screen and the cost really hasn't gone out of proportion to wages. Live Theater actors rarely get the kind of money film actors do.
I think it's more of a change culturally than anything else. Broadway and theater were still going strong in the heyday of the big Movie moguls. People didn't have video games, cable TV, etc. competing for their entertainment dollars. It was a choice we made not to support Broadway as much as we had. Tourists and visitors were expected to make up the difference. Actually it's the patrons of the theater that have reached into their pockets and took on a larger support role so that it would not be lost to the glitz and glamour of Hi-Def plasma screens with surround sound.
How do you compete with a 42 inch plasma screen with surround sound, and a satellite feed from around the world? The answer is, you don't. If you do then you change the format, texture, and framework on a wonderful, historical, and viable avenue of art.
Be patient, mores change and paradigms shift. Being alone in your room with a boob-tube will pass. People will miss the company of other people. Be it in a theater, restaurant, or sitting across the table at breakfast, we all need to have someone else with whom we can share things. Sitting in the front porch , visiting with your neighbors is also right now a thing of the past, but I believe that will change as well. Modern civilization will out price itself and people will realize that the glitz and glamour are not worth the price.

Answer 2

I like the street theatre idea. For the most part, it seems that the people I've encountered who don't go to the theatre simply don't know of any shows near them. Sure, everyone knows of Broadway and of college campuses but not everyone is in NY and people don't know how good some of the "student" productions can be. Perhaps more advertising needs to be done to make people aware of the shows near them. Or they need motivated to get off of their duffs and get out of the house....?

Answer 3

Better less expensive theatre. Its ridiculous to have to pay a full day's wages to go to the theatre.

Answer 4

lower the prices of the tickets. Many of the shows are prices so high that only the rich can afford to go.

Answer 5

Ever think of "reality" theatre?

Answer 6

start writing sitcoms for stage and open more theatres near people?

Answer 7

1. lower ticket prices
2. more road touring of Broadway shows

Answer 8

try going back in time

Answer 9

street theater, not mime, street theater!