From: Michael Moynihan <mmoynihan-AT-wi.rr.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 00:26:17 -0500
Subject: [Puptcrit] FREE SHOWS (was Re:  Puppetry for Seniors)


My experience with "free" is somewhat different.

Big disconnect in consciousness, politics, generations, I guess.
I am 61 and am now disabled and fiscally more impoverished than I have  
ever been in my adult life.

But in the early 1970's I cofounded a nonprofit, grassroots  
professional theatre company.
It still continues today, very different & without me.

Most if not all productions involved puppetry, masks, live music, live  
actors and at least one stage manager.
During the summer we performed mostly out side in parks, vacant lots,  
at festivals, at jails and prisons.
Inside in community centers, senior centers, medical facilities,  
nursing homes, summer schools.
Whenever possible we would arrange for an indoor rain site.
All of us were employed as full time - nonunion theatre workers - paid  
theatre workers.
We were youngish and did not get rich, but the pay was enough to live  
on, buy a house, have 2 children, and not go into debt.
Shows were free to those in the audience, and appropriate for all  
ages. Often bilingual, some performances signed for hearing impaired.

Very fast moving, funny, musical, colorful.
(when you are free in a park people are free to walk away, you learn  
to hold an audience)

Touring company size ranged from 2 to 35, performers ages 9 - 70, all  
white to multiple races

I was inspired by reading about:

1) the diggers - everything free
http://www.diggers.org/overview.htm

2) SFMT free park shows

3) the Brit WELFARE STATE theatre

4) BREAD & PUPPET

(but began our free theatre productions before ever actually seeing  
the above groups, that came later)

Unlike the Mime Troupe, we could not pass the hat (Milwaukee County  
parks would take 10%).
And our "warm" season was usually mid-June to Labor Day.

Sure "free" is misleading. SOMEBODY was paying. Grants and donations  
(City-County-State-Federal governments, foundations, corporationc). We  
had to raise lots of funds to stay alive. But we also had the most  
diverse and largest audience of any theatre in the entire State of  
Wisconsin. I think when we began, Conrad (INDEPENDENT EYE) told me  
that I would spend 75% of my time on non artistic things. I did not  
believe him, but even after we grew enough to have administrative  
help, it was still true.

We would also take out of town/state road trips where we would charge  
as much as we could get.

But we were never "treated like shit" because we were free. Audiences  
(all ages, mostly working class and low income) love us and welcomed  
us. In fact, I think when cost is irrelevant to the audience the true  
economy of art, entertainment, time & attention spent and imagination  
come into play.

As law # 7 in the original (not the tiny revised version) taoist SEVEN  
LAWS OF MONEY: There are worlds without money.

Different time to me sure.

I did not realize that making a living doing free shows was impossible.
So we did it.

We would have never been able to even get started had not a local  
dance company GIVEN us (yes free) a van.
And the now INDEPENDENT EYE (the cofounders of THEATRE X) invited us  
into there building (on the illegal 3rd floor) rent free!

I guess to put it in Forrest Gump lingo "free is as free does".

Seems that to many people "FREE" is not even imaginable in 2008.

Michael John Moynihan
Milwaukee Wisconsin USA Earth



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