How many feathers can we ruffle with a notion that the argument is not whether art is entertainment, but rather, does your audience care?
For years, we have tried to find relevance hiding behind a notion that as arts producers, we are enlightening the masses, serving a great social conscience and reflecting life back to ourselves to create dialogue... but are we really? Or are we offering up a product directed to a few, wrapping it in art and then bemoaning the decrease in audience numbers... are we too arrogant?
Who has these conversations? Is anyone talking about this? I used to grit my teeth at the thought of dinner theatre - having rejected it as artistic drivel... nothing artistic comes from caesar salad... but why do people flock to these shows? Is it accessibility? Is it a removal of class? Is it that they know "how" to attend?
If it's popular, does it mean it's entertainment? If it's entertainment, does that mean we've sold out? And if we are striving for increased revenue due to increases in our audience - aren't we all trying to sell out?
Just thinking out loud...
