Kaetlin Perna
December 15, 2006

Long in Rochester's artistic history have stood two very established theatres: Geva Theatre and Downstairs Cabaret Theatre. One that plays more mainstream works varying from historical, social, contemporary and modern. The other with a palate for offbeat and more avant-garde works ranging from Off Broadway hits to Fringe Festival favorites. Now with only a toe in the door of this arts and cultural community, I'm noticing a rise in smaller, grassroots-like theatre companies much in the footsteps of Blackfriars and Shipping Dock (two smaller community theater based companies) that perform even more offbeat productions for nearly nothing but the experience.

Nearing the close of the Christmas theatre season, I've noticed productions, smaller productions, at least 50% occupied. And in a community where arts seem to struggle it's booming more than ever. It feels like it is community theatre, unlike "Waiting for Guffman," where it actually has a voice and a vision. This new rise is allowing arts to become far more accessible, as far as price and convenience. But at what cost for the larger theatres?

Companies such as the Blacksheep Coalition Theatre and Burning Barn Theater (and not to mention JCC's, Shipping Dock's and similar theatres) seem to tackle broader issues and material than in the past. And with DCT's past struggle with filling seats and Geva's notorious subscriber disinterest in programming, what might this mean? Working as a telemarketer at DCT, I'd also hear complaints from the people I was calling that some of the productions (Eight Reindeer Monologues) were too racy for their audiences and refused to go back. Is this the wrong audience? Are young people not interested in selected pieces from theatre festivals larger than this city? Or are Geva and DCT not reaching these people properly? I would like to think it was the latter.

People in my generation, at least the artistic ones, are interested in thoughtful pieces. Not thoughtful on a social level that relates specifically to racism, class-ism or politics, but how an idea is relatable or pertains to them personally. We are now a society of Attention Deficit Disorder-like behavior complete with coffee, espresso and all the gadgets and toys you could ever want. People need something quick, basic and easy. A staged reading of "The Cider House Rules," as amazing as the book/movie was, will not suffice. A rise in monologues and one acts may be where theatre is heading.

Now are small grassroots-like theatres becoming part of a new movement that will eventually begin an artistic revolution here in Rochester? It feels like a light at the end of the road and is finally not letting Rochester be mediocre anymore. Lord knows we've been in a funk for awhile. Who know though, it very well might slowly fade away into the background like everything else. I hope not.