What do you want from the AIC?

[kristin]

In response to Christina's original questions:
The fact that the AIC exists was something that made Austin feel like a better place to be an improviser in. "AIC existence" being defined as the label, the website, the forums, the bank account, the events, the meetings, the (AIC-produced) shows, the community, the library, and maybe some other things I'm forgetting to list.

What I am doing with my non-improv time is letting my job take over more of my life for a couple of years while I save money and (hopefully) get a greencard. Improv and this world was my full-time commitment in NYC, and I am working towards it being that way one day again, but right now I have to divide my energy differently to meet those long-term goals.


In response to everything else:
I like the idea of term-based elected positions and trusting the elected people to do their jobs.

For completely personal reasons I want shows like the 3fer to continue and I like Bob's idea of marketing done at the AIC level. However, I do understand that best for me and best for the community might not end up being the same thing.

Justin, let's have a discussion about welfare sometime.

[Jastroch]

I think the show attendance puzzle is made up of marketing effort, troupe quality and reputation (different things in my opinion), and show slot. Sometimes watching a troupe bust their ass on marketing for limited results (and yes, Jastroch, these examples exist) can send a disincentive to guys like me who have a lot of other stuff going on, in that is says, "hey, tons of fliers and a press release didn't do jack anyway." Again, I'm being a bit flip--with the exception of the Cupholders I think my mailing list is bigger than any one else's in town and I can and do reach a lot of people quickly, so it's not like I do nothing on the marketing front. But you catch the drift of my example.

Actually, I completely agree about the puzzle. If you put on shitty shows, you shouldn't be marketing yourself. If you can't complete that puzzle with quality performances, you're actually guarenteeing that people who saw your flier will never come back to a show.

It really irks me when people who put on quality shows aren't putting every effort into marketing themselves. Irks, irks, irks. Marketing takes time and repetition. I see some troupes make one flier a year and wonder why it doesn't work*.

*Hyperbole.

[Marc Majcher]

Personally, I welcome all unsolicited notes. I need notes to improve. Worst comes to worse, I ignore your note.

But, save for troupemates, I try not to give them myself. Odd that.

Same here. Funny.

[shando]

It really irks me when people who put on quality shows aren't putting every effort into marketing themselves. Irks, irks, irks. Marketing takes time and repetition. I see some troupes make one flier a year and wonder why it doesn't work*.

*Hyperbole.

Here's what I'm talking about Jastroch. Who are you talking about? Name names or else you're just whining that people don't live like you do. Are you talking about me? I don't think so, because while I make less than a flier a year, I also don't complain about attendance at my shows. Or if you are talking about me, my lack of complaints about attendance at my show belies what you're talking about. So just who and what are you talking about?

PS--No actual names need be named. This, however, is the very dynamic I started talking about after Justin's post.

[shando]

And if the issue is "it irks me that quality troupes don't market themselves better when they play my theater because that means more income and asses and audience at my theater", then be upfront about that and don't project it onto said troupes' whining, which frankly I don't really see much of.

The way I just phrased the problem I think is a lot more legitimate an issue, and when I put it that way it makes me realize I need to pull my weight more.

[shando]

Actually, I completely agree about the puzzle. If you put on shitty shows, you shouldn't be marketing yourself. If you can't complete that puzzle with quality performances, you're actually guarenteeing that people who saw your flier will never come back to a show.

And now for other half of this equation. I would really refrain from using strident language like this, because either you're speaking hypothetically to a problem that doesn't exist, in which case what are you solving and why bother, or you have specific instances in mind, ones which you won't share and therefore can only lead people like me to distrust the nice things you say.

Personally I think all troupes should do what they want to marketing-wise, no matter the quality of their shows. Some people and troupes are late bloomers. It may take them forever to find their stride. Personally I'm not going to discourage anyone from doing what they want to do.

[York99]

PS--No actual names need be named. This, however, is the very dynamic I started talking about after Justin's post.

When the purpose of the post IS to be general because it's not about blame and calling people out... well, there's no need to call people out. It's not about starting a fight here -- and by here I mean this particular thread, but it applies generally, as well -- it's about discussing how people view the AIC now and issues facing the AIC in the future.

If someone recognizes themselves in these generalities, then great. Try to change it if you can/want.

[York99]

And if the issue is "it irks me that quality troupes don't market themselves better when they play my theater because that means more income and asses and audience at my theater", then be upfront about that and don't project it onto said troupes' whining, which frankly I don't really see much of.

I can't speak for Jastroch, but we're in the same boat, so I'll respond. First, I don't see much complaining about small houses. I have seen it, though. It exists, although minimally. One example I was thinking of was at a TNA a while ago. The cast was quite big that night and the audience was one person. An improviser complained. Others agreed, perhaps just to shrug the person off, but still. It irked me that in this cast of nearly 20 people, not one person was responsible for an audience member being there. And then the aforementioned comment. By 'irk' I don't mean I was furious or even close. But I was a little taken aback.

As for our theater... I haven't heard personally any complaints by performers that attendance was low and blaming it on the AIC or on us. It might have happened, I really couldn't say. We do, however, ask that performers market their shows. It is disappointing to discover that either that hasn't happened or it didn't work to draw in audiences.

[shando]

Justin, I think through this discussion I have found myself in violent agreement with you. Basically, I don't see a lot of whining, either, which is why I've found discussions of lack of marketing combined with complaining disingenuous.

But I can see that not carrying one's weight publicity-wise can let down other people, even if you yourself aren't bothered by small houses. I am definitley guilty on the latter count, and will work to recitify the situation in the future.

Jastroch, however, I will never agree with, even when we say the exact same things.

[York99]

Jastroch is in cahoots with Arthur.