Fashionably late in my book. Especially when you come in swinging! Nick and I actually completely agree as to the potential of social networking and interactivity on the internet as a tool for theaters — as an extension, even, of the theatrical event. What Nick was able to do with WTD was really great and displays some of this potential, but I do get the feeling of “abstract good” rather than concrete goal from the way in which social networking and online feedback tend to be handled in general.

The comments section of Chris Jones’ website for existence, strikes me as a begrudging formality (an unconsidered necessity of the genre), and yet, in the wake of the “mutiny” at ATC, that very comments section became a vibrant and bravely honest virtual town hall for discussion, a venue that was shamefully lacking from ATC’s own online presence. It is profoundly in the interest of theaters to know what their audiences think of performances, to allow the theatrical experience to deepen and lengthen into the night, to insist on the collaboration of performer and spectator. Additionally, it is in the interest of audiences – particularly, though not exclusively, subscribers – to let theaters know how their work is being interpreted, evaluated, appreciated, absorbed.

And the internet is quite obviously a great place for such discussion to occur. People have more time to consider, they have more control over their comments and passionate opinions are self-selected. My distrust of post-show talk-backs comes from a haziness about their purpose. They tend to strike me as part recap, part factual q&a, part classroom. Play readings tend to have deeper talk-backs I think partly because people feel as though their comments might actually change something. When you’re seeing a show in the third week of its five-week run and you suggest that one character is really the other character’s twin, it’s gotta be “thanks but no thanks.” Except that as a producer I can’t imagine coming to a point where I wasn’t at least thirsty to know. Applause can only say so much. And not everyone has the chutzpah to just shout it out at intermission (though you must be doing something right if you can inspire that, Nick). The internet and theater company blogs in particular being used to capture those comments in an ongoing discussion without concerns for time or other people’s questions or clearing the stage to set up for the evening performance, would be and will be an excellent use of resources. But only if this reciprocity is believable.