Woolly Mammoth Theater Company is constantly pushing boundaries to defy convention
Year ago, I started volunteering at Woolly Mammoth Theater Company as an usher. I had seen a few of their plays and was mesmerized. I wanted to see them all!
If you’ve been reading this blog, you know that I’m into theater. I even saw 6 plays last summer while I was traveling around the world with Mr. HalfFull on our 30/40 World Tour.
This summer, I joined Woolly’s Claque. You may be asking, “What the heck is a claque?” In classical times, a claque was a group of people hired to applaud the performers in French theaters and opera houses. But our claque at Woolly is so much more. First of all, we are unpaid volunteers. Secondly, we are a group of highly engaged audience members who do more than applaud at the actual performance. Before the first rehearsal, we spend time reading the play together as a group, discuss the themes of the play, and communicate our ideas for audience design. We are also involved in Working Groups specific to each play.
Mace, the main character, speaks as Chad Diety, a fellow wrestler in THE Wrestling, shows of his winning smile and championship belt.
This season, my Working Group was focused on the season opener, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Diety. The show focuses on the world of professional wrestling, but it’s about so much more. I have no interest in wrestling, and would never watch it on TV. But this play moved me. In fact, I got chills when the main character delivered his final monologue in Act II on Opening Night.
Please visit the Woolly Mammoth Blog to read my post about The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Diety. Find out how this play relates to the rest of us who are not wrestling fans.
- Do you enjoy live theater?
- Do you watch professional wrestling?
- Have you ever been surprisingly moved by a play, movie, book, etc. when the original topic was unappealing?
#1 by BigLittleWolf on September 28, 2012 - 4:28 PM
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What a delightful topic. Live theater can be so much fun, but it’s easier to take advantage of when you live in a location that offers many venues (including lesser-priced and more casual fare) – and – when your schedule doesn’t drive you to drink (or want to) by the time the weekend hits.
I admit, when I lived in Paris, I went to the theater on the cheap whenever I could. Likewise, in certain other parts of the country. Alas, it’s been too long since I’ve been to the theater. (My momma actually used to take me to a Shakespeare series every year as a child – it was thrilling!)
I’m now craving live theater, at least as much as I did those damnable reeses cups a few weeks back. (See? Suggestible.)
#2 by Ms. HalfEmpty on September 28, 2012 - 4:58 PM
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A lot of theaters offer Pay-What-You-Can preview nights to make live theater more accessible to people who may not have ample entertainment budgets. Many also offer Rush tickets at a discount the day/night of the show. Ushering is another way to see live theater for free.
Wow, Shakespeare for a child sound daunting. But I’m glad you enjoyed it. I never really got into Shakespeare, and still don’t enjoy it now. I know that’s blasphemous!
Your giant image of a Reese’s made me salivate! That is one of my favorite candies. Plus, they are safe at home because my husband doesn’t like the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, although he likes each of them on their own. We were given a goody bag last week that contained a few mini Reese’s cups….mmm!
#3 by Kathleen on September 29, 2012 - 1:16 PM
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You make me want to go see the play and like you, I do not care about wrestling. I love the theater and when I was at the University in Wisconsin, I did not miss a show because I was an official usher and had to wear a bright yellow jacket. When I met my husband, I asked him if he would usher with me but he did not want to wear the ugly jacket. Too bad, he missed a few good shows.
I need to make more time for live theater. It has a unique impact on the audience.
#4 by Ms. HalfEmpty on September 30, 2012 - 10:39 AM
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I’ve never had an ushering job where I had to wear special ugly clothes. At Woolly, we just wear a lanyard with a badge that says Usher, so it’s not intrusive at all.
You’re right, live theater can be an amazing experience!
#5 by Sarah P. on October 1, 2012 - 7:16 PM
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I love live theater, too. And I wish I had the opportunity to go to more performances. I would love to take our girls to more shows, too, as they get older… my parents took us to a couple Broadway musicals when I was young, and they made a HUGE impression on me!
#6 by Ms. HalfEmpty on October 1, 2012 - 9:18 PM
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I hope your girls enjoy the theater too! I wonder if W&M has any age appropriate plays. Or maybe they can visit their uncle in NYC!
#7 by Sarah P. on October 1, 2012 - 7:21 PM
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And hey, *great* blog post over at the Woolly Mammoth blog! I can’t think of anything decent to comment, but I love your post!
#8 by Ms. HalfEmpty on October 1, 2012 - 9:19 PM
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Thank you! =)