Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Media Theatre, have you forgotten the Media Community?


 
After all the hard work that the Media Arts Council (MAC) and Media Business Authority (MBA) do, it’s disappointing to see that the Media Theatre will not be participating in the recent, upcoming community events. Two months ago MAC put together a well done and entertaining film festival which would have naturally been an excellent fit for the Media Theatre, but instead this was shown at the borough community center with AV equipment and fold-out chairs. Nobody can seem to explain why the film festival wasn’t in the Theatre. Scheduling of the Theatre might be a viable explanation, but the benefits of having a “FILM FESTIVAL” in a “THEATER” would greatly outweigh issues over possible scheduling conflicts. Especially if this is planned months in advance, if not longer.

Secondly, the Media Roots Ramble in its 8th year is not only a 1st rate production, but may even be the best event Media has. Yet of all the many venues participating, the Media Theatre is again absent from the line-up. As many residents have expressed to me, It’s a shame that the Media Theatre has not done more to be a part of the community. It’s also a shame the Borough Council doesn’t do anything to address/mediate this…….perhaps their not even aware.

Would it be too much to ask to show every once in awhile a Sunday matinee….. a weekend concert…..a FILM FESTIVAL or even one night for the Media ROOTS RAMBLE? I’d have a weaker position if the theater was jammed packed every night, but drive by most nights, even on the weekends and it looks closed. I understand the Media Theatre group is a private entity that rents the theatre from the borough, however, community involvement goes a long way.

Phoenixville and Keswick do an excellent job with their theaters. In fact, I’ve visited them more than the Media Theatre which is practically a 7 minute walk away. Why can’t we foster that same relationship here?

39 comments:

  1. I totally agree. I live on State Street and find the Media Theatre to be under utilized. I go to the Keswick theatre 4-5 times a year. Media Theatre?, maybe twice if the Broadway Musical de jour interests me. I truly believe the theatre chooses what THEY like, not what the community likes. I understand the theatre is struggling (rumor, of course) But, each time I have been to a show...it was maybe 1/3 full. The Keswick is always packed...Hmmmm...

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  2. Ted, great article, this may be your best yet. The Media Theatre's a treasure, yet it seems so detached from the community. There are so many opportunities to use the theatre to drive the traffic to the business district yet its squandered. Could you imagine a future with music acts, comedians, film festivals? How abouta throwback movie matinee on Sundays, showing a classic each weekend? Such a shame. Awesome building, but it should be so much more than a structure...

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  3. If you want to write an article and pose an opinion, perhaps you should interview the parties that you have named in you blog for some facts...
    Might go a long way to show that you actually have some knowledge on the subject.

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  4. Uh-oh. Someone has shown the temerity to question the Media Theater group. Here comes the attack!

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  5. anon @4:56pm, what information do we need to know that the product SUCKS?

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  6. ted don't worry the theatre will be bankrupt soon. such a shame the theatre won't become multi use and see a positive cash flow thru movies and concerts

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  7. Saw "Wizard of OZ" there recently and loved it. If you want movies you can go to the Granite Run or Marple...My family likes plays and there are not many places to see those around here.

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  8. I live in Media and I know the Media Theatre serves our Community. First there is the kids program. The Media Theatre has been nurturing my child's love of theatre since she was 6. Then there is the talent brought to State St.; if you don't visit the theatre at least 6 times a year, you are missing uplifting experiences.

    I consider Media Theatre the anchor of State Street.

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  9. What a downer blog post! Come and see Alice in Wonderland and you can see local kids putting on a new version of Lewis Carroll's classic with locally written music and lyrics. The performance will lift your spirits.

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  10. This is like walking into Margaret Kuo's restaurant and saying 'you should serve burgers instead of sushi'. what gives anyone the right to tell another not-for-profit what it's mission is?

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  11. First off, I want to thank everyone for the comments. It's constructive to hear both sides.

    This evening I received a call from Executive Director, Jesse Cline of the Media Theatre, stating his position along with answers to a lot of the questions people have contacted me about.

    To this end, I will be writing another post in the coming days out of fairness to the theatre and what they're trying to accomplish. I really appreciate them contacting me.

    My intent with this post was not to create division, fuel criticism or point fingers; but to have a general conversation where ALL can participate. We seemed to have accomplished that, albeit in a somewhat of rocky manner; but after today's call, I'm enthusiastic there's a win-win opportunity here for everyone.

    Understand, we all live in this town together and whatever we can do to reach a common goal that benefits the town, is good for everyone!

    Thanks for reading, participating and caring!

    Tedman

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  12. Ted, I couldn't agree more with your latest post. Our family has been participating in the Media Theatre for about a year now, and we have had only good experiences. Instead of throwing rocks, if there are opportunities that the theatre or Media are missing - after all, it can go both ways, let's get the parties to sit down together and see what can be done. The Media Theatre is a wonderful addition to Media and so let's find a way to let everyone experience that.

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  13. I feel this article has NO basis.The community of Media does not support the Theare in any way.
    Only a small amount of businesse on State Street support the theatre.Does anyone realize that the Media Theatre is the SECOND largest employer in Media after the Courthouse?
    Has anyone contacted the powers that be and ASK if anything can be held there?I STRONGLY feel that the town of Media should WAKE up and realize the asset they have in their own backyard.

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  14. If it's concerts you want to see, come to the Media Theatre on Sunday 4/11 at 5PM to see Therese Walden-Murphy, and again on Sunday 4/18 at 3PM to see "10 Teens In Concert". While you are there, read the Mission Statement above the door as you enter the theatre's lobby. You will see that the theatre follows its mission; in addition, they offer the community concerts and other special events throughout the year. It is important that Media supports this Gem on State Street with the same enthusiasm the theatre patrons always shop and dine locally before and after they go to the theatre - to see a show, a concert or to drop off & pick up their children who participate in the theatre's many educational programs offered to the community.

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  15. Please provide reputable facts that Media Theater is the second largest employer after the Courthouse. From what I can see First Keystone Bank, Media Friends School and even Trader Joe's would have larger numbers of employees.

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  16. Has the community forgotten about the Media Theatre?????

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  17. Has the community forgotten about the Media Theatre??????

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  18. The Media Theatre is the second largest employer in Media when you count in: The number of professional actors hired per year for each show, the number of designers hired for each show, the number of musicians hired in the orchestra pit for each show, etc. So these are reputable facts.
    Another reputable fact is that the Media Borough, from the Council to the Business Authority, fails to provide a 'bridge' to the community from the theatre or to connect the theatre to the community. Most boroughs would be thrilled to have a professional music theatre or performing arts center to call their own, but Media's leaders would rather brag about events on State Street which offer men in dungarees and beards clanging on drums and beer festivals.
    What gives? Broadway performers come to perform at The Media Theatre and we here from Council how terrific the local garage bands are...Now, that's a disconnect!

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  19. This blog and a lot of responses on it ,feels and smells like Republican hijinks....only republicans would wish bankruptcy on a business or individual for their own personal selfishness.

    The George Bush mentality is not gone with the election of Obama...its alive and well by the writer of this blog.....anyone who tries to produce anything artistic is shot down and not funded by the backwards Media mentality.

    Why didn't you just write" Mission accomplished" and put on your fatigues and stand under the marquee for a photo op.

    The Media Arts Council and groups like the Media Theatre won't get any help from these republican a-holes.

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  20. Amon @6:21 - really? In the words of Charles barkley, that was "trrbl". I guess we know who's the partisan douche around here!

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  21. the people who want these concerts are trying to relive their youth or they are would be throwbacks to the sixties hippies. who wants to hear rehashed music by amateurs. tribute bands are an abomination. if they were talented they would have their own music not an imitation of someone else's soul. they need to grow up and realize that the theatre with it's programs IS community oriented. concerts are not community based. Saturday night and it is over. I say to these people why aren't you wanting to raise the level of community arts with dance, chamber music, lectures, and the mission of the theatre which is professional theatre,

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  22. Media needs to grow up. You would think you were living in the sixties if you visit Media on 2nd saturdays. It is all amateur, long haired, bearded musicians( and I am using musicians kindly } who are from a different era it seems. They never could survive in a professional setting. Every show I have seen at The Media Theatre has been very professional. I understand it is a union house and many of the actors have Broadway credits. Media needs to know what it is missing. Instead of catering to faux arts and crafts, Media should proclaim to the Philadelphia area that it has professionl theatre on it's main street

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  23. I don't think Ted was ever questioning the quality of the product that the Media Theater puts out or the validity of having such an institution in Media.

    I think he was questioning why there are certain events in Media - the Film Feastival or Root Ramble being two of them - that the Media Theater would be perfectly suited in paticipating in and why it isn't happening?

    I for one agree with him. I would love to catch a film or hear some music there and think it would take either of those events to the next level.

    Putting aside asking why it hasn't happened yet, what will it take to make it happen from here on out? Who can answer that?

    Chuck

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  24. why would you not want to catch a show there?

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  25. It takes money. To answer Chuck's question. All of you people think that this building is free. It isn't. There are box office personel, heat, air conditioning, a leaky roof, tech personel, insurance, and a host of other expenses. Some of you somehow think that this is all free. Lala land. If theatre was free and lucrative there would be one on every corner. Who is going to pay for a film festival which somehow seems the dream. Maybe it is nostalgia. Nostalgia doesn't pay the bills. The theatre closed because it could not sustain itself on being a movie house. Get over it. A film festival would be find but I suspect the people to do it are professionals at the theatre and maybe they have some interest. And I suspect they have great contacts.

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  26. this is such chatter. those who want concerts go to the Keswick. Those who want movies, go to Granite Run or some place close. There have to be at least 40 theatres within a thirty minute drive. There is no place else to see professional theatre in Delaware County of the calibre at the Media Theatre than at the Media Theatre. Why aren't the citizens of Media clamoring for chamber music, ballet, modern dance, piano soloists, orchestras, performance artists, opera, etc. Sad, so Sad, The best of us is revealed in the best of art.

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  27. I don't know why I wouldn't want to catch a show there, maybe it's just not my thing? To each his own. But I would like to be able to ramble down during the roots ramble and listen to Leroy Hawkes do his thing and be able to watch it in that venue. That would would be fantastic.

    I'm not asking for Wednesday's to be movie night and Friday's to be open mic. I'm talking about the few events Media puts on once a year that are one day in duration.

    Just the nature of theater (stage that is) they don't operate 7 days a week, 365 a year. There is down time. I would think that with proper planning Media could get in there for the few nights they might need each year with minimal disruption to the everyday workings.

    Maybe getting 300 people in there for a roots ramble show, people that have never been there before might be a good way to convince a few of them to come back and see a stage production?

    Chuck

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  28. Everyone seems to be so passionate about thier opinions on this subject. Wow! Someone blamed this on Republicans?...That made me chuckle...Didn't realize this was a political debate. So, a small group of people who claim to be one of the largest employers (what about the school district?) pay rent on a borough owned facility. They rely on donations and Phillies ticket raffles for the "miracle on State Street" survive. (yes, miracle in lower case). But, it seems to be important that they "follow thier mission"..so, I applaud them for that. But, obviously 100% of the community does not agree with the mission. (you know, the Republicans) This blog is more amusing than the shows at the theatre...they should put this debate on stage. I would be happy to watch it...better than a boxing match.

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  29. Great, now I'm lumped in with the Republicans...

    CB

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  30. Nothing at a theatre ever pleases everyone. Even the movie theatres don't always have something showing everyone likes or appreciates. If you don't like it, don't go...

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  31. Those who govern the borough of Media are a joke. Simple as that. There will never be a bridge built between the theatre and the 'community' as long as the borough council and the MBA are run by those who dislike professional music theatre and who want to be old-style hippies

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  32. After reading several posts I have come to the conclusion that appreciation for the arts is on the verge of death. I understand the argument stating that the film festival should have been held there. The fact of the matter is that live theaters have to decide their seasons and schedules so far in advance. They have to apply for the rights to shows as early as possible and they are very expensive. So, even though a few months seems like enough time to ask a theater for the use of the space it really isn't. And if they change their schedule after posting it they would lose money from there subscribers and pre-sales. I think the theater would have been more than happy to comply if they had been informed a year prior to the festival.

    Also it is very sad to me that some of the community doesn't support the theater. Live theater is more interesting to me than anything you can find on TV or movies. Where else can you sit and watch someone perform and be moved to tears or laughter with a hundred other people. Sure you could go to a movie theater but those people have shot that scene that moves you 20-50 times before they got it right. When your watching a live performance there are no re-shoots. The emotions are raw and real in that moment not put together after months of editing.

    I believe that people often forget that most actors in movies started out doing theater camps as kids or live theater as adults before getting their big break on the "Silver Screen". Support the arts and see a show who knows you may be seeing the next Brad Pitt or Meryl Streep!

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  33. Just had to add one more thing. The title of this article is in very bad taste. In fact there is nothing I hate more than someone writing a blog about something without even researching both sides. I mean I'm not a writer but even I know that you should get all the facts before running a story. The fact that you didn't even get all sides is unprofessional. It's one of the main reasons I hate blogs!!!

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  34. You can manage a facility to have both theatre and acts, I hear you can use these things called 'curtains' and sets to change the stage for the function - don't understand why this place is so incompetently managed.

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  35. As i said before you need to give a venue more than TWO MONTHS. You would have the same problem at the Keswick if you only gave them that much time. It is the MAC that dropped the ball. They should've asked earlier it's as simple as that! And maybe if you supported that theater you would realize that they dont have a fly rail and therefore have no curtains.

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  36. Whoever Steve is up there he is another example of the idiocricy running Media.

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  37. I like the shows. I support the theater.
    I would enjoy more singer/songwriter shows & yes comedy would be fun too. I believe Jesse C is a smart man & might consider taking action which could potential bring more patrons into the venue w/o stopping the shows.

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  38. Steve is the voice of common sense in a sea of buffons.

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