In the world of theatre – whether professional, non-professional – or even down-the-hall-high-school-theatre – nothing is less looked forward to then a matinee. Matinees are always thought to be a good use of space and time and money – cause you already have the set installed in the space and you already have the cast and crew captive – so why not? And you do have an audience – well, some kind of an audience. In high school matinees it is usually that same group of parents that have come EVERY night and want yet one more glimpse of their child on stage – – or the audience is full of those that are too afraid of the dark or bussed in from assisted living. True they buy a ticket, but precious little energy is added to the performance.
But let’s talk teaching – – cause if you think 8 shows a week with a matinee here and there is tough – just imagine four or five shows a day five times a week. And, worst of all, are the MORNING matinees. Here the audience is barely awake so the show has to be extra big, extra energetic and extra alive. Nothing in the professional world can ever touch the delight of an 8:15 A.M. “matinee.”