There's No Business Like It!

Heard something the other day...'it's only theatre. Don't take it personally.' I like this a lot. More people should use this as a mantra. Tonight is yet another openning night. Weird how a student production can have so little student involvement. But wait. There has been some student action. Students acting as scapegoats. Now, there are very few things that I detest more than bullies. As one who has been both bullied and a bully in the past, I see that bullies create for themselves a false sense of power/control that, in the end, makes them even more miserable than before they begin bullying in the first place. Putting it bluntly...bullies suck. In particular, I really really detest those bullies who pick on another person's ignorance. Nope. We don't know it all. Sometimes, we need to be taught. When I see so-called seasoned professionals (ok...I'm really using the term professional loosely now...how 'bout amateurs never good enough to become professionals who have subsequently glorified and built up their status as under appreciated volunteers. Know the type?) pick on those just starting out in this thing we call 'the biz' it pisses me off to no end. Hell. Not everyone knows what grommiters are and what the working load of 1/8" tie line is. Nor does everyone know all the pre-planning that must be done before a show can go up. If we continue to sneer at those who don't know, we're not helping the arts cause. People will walk away feeling bad about themselves and begin looking for:
a) others to bully; and
b) ways to slash arts funding.
Before the arts community looks out and starts blaming conservative agendas or liberal corruption, perhaps it should take a close look at itself. Is it inclusive? Does it treat ignorance as a learning opportunity? If not, maybe it needs a massive overhaul itself. The ground hog says spring will be early this year. How 'bout some spring cleaning? Let's throw out the elitist attitudes, false feelings of self-importance, and back stabbing tendencies. Let's be upfront and aware and accepting of our and others limitations and strengths. It's not life or death people. It's show business. It's only theatre. Don't take it personally.