Thomsen Talk: December 2017
New year; second chances.
The 2017 Season was filled with shows that were personal favorites of mine: SWEENEY, DOLLY, OUR TOWN, and SHE LOVES ME. I had a history with those shows and was eager to work on them. THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB was a play I didn’t know. When I first read it, I didn’t care for it all that much, but in my search to find a small-cast, modern-day comedy, I went off the recommendation of some other community theatres who had done it, and I decided to read it again. I was surprised that I liked it this time. With each reading I found that I liked it more and more. I’m delighted we included it on the season. I loved working with the five women in the cast, and I know the show was a favorite for our audiences. We ask our audiences to take a chance on shows that are unfamiliar to them (we can do THE SOUND OF MUSIC only so many times), and I was glad that I gave a second look at THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB.
Our 2018 Season includes the very familiar titles, MAMMA MIA! and ELF, the somewhat familiar title BIG FISH, and then the not so familiar titles IS HE DEAD? and GOOD PEOPLE. People have been telling me of their excitement for MAMMA MIA!, but I have really enjoyed hearing people say, “GOOD PEOPLE really intrigues me.” I’m thrilled that people are ready to take a chance on a new play and something different for QCT. Its writing is sharp, witty, touching, and the story is fascinating and timely. I truly believe our volunteers will love working on it, and our audiences will enjoy experiencing and talking about it.
So much of theatre is “chances.” Directors take a chance on their production teams and their actors (one of my favorite compliments: The show was so well-cast.), actors take chances with their directors’ visions, and audiences take chances when investing their time into seeing a production. I leave you with this quote from unknown:
“It’s impossible,” said pride. “It’s risky,” said experience. “It’s pointless,” said reason. “Give it a try,” whispered the heart.
In 2018, hear the whisper.
Brandon Thomsen
Artistic Director