Aisle Say: In its most trying hour, DTC should reach out for help

Question: What do the World Cup refs, the U.S. in the '20's and the Delaware Theatre Company have in common? Give up?

Isolationism.

The refs indubitably feel isolated due to their horrific calls; the U.S. kept to herself during that decade. We took little part in international relations. We isolated ourselves in terms of trade. Tariffs were put on foreign goods to protect American industry. Because they could not sell their goods to America, European countries could not afford to buy agricultural goods from the USA, one of the main causes of The Great Depression.

And DTC? Instead of embracing their public they have instituted a bunker mentality. During their "artistic crisis" (my words) there has been virtually no effort – short of an announcement on their website – to inform the public about a fall season that is just three short months away. That information is old news and was posted before the former Artistic Director was let go. In speaking with a representative there, at least one production – “Three Days of Rain” - has been shelved and “Sylvia,” which was to be the third production, will now kick-off the season. An announcement of the full list may be out in the next two weeks, Aisle Say was told.

All business owners appreciate the value of networking. This requires no explanation. That's why the Delaware State Chamber, the New Castle County Chamber and the Wilmington Convention &Visitors Bureau have countless functions.

Point 1: I own a micro business, distinct from my passion with live theatre. I personally attend at minimum one mixer a week. Over the past five years, I feel safe in reporting I have never seen the marketing director of DTC at any function. Should not someone be out promoting the theatre’s vision?

Point 2: We know that performing arts groups generate approximately 40 percent of revenue on ticket sales. With the spate of shows in the past few years, that percentage may be less at DTC. At this veritable crisis point (my words) in their almost four decade history, would this not be the time to embrace the public and ask what THEY want? Why not ask season ticket holders to an event at the theatre, fully explain the circumstances and then ask them for their opinions as to the type of shows they would support? Taking it further, why not ask everyone in Delaware what they think and what they want. That outreach will create empathy, which will translate into ticket sales.

Point 3: Reach out to the Delaware Division of Arts and every other performing arts group in the state. Collaborate. Create ways to help one another. All have similar issues. OperaDelaware collaborates with Delaware Symphony. First State Ballet collaborates with the Symphony as well. Synergism is the key. DTC has always stood ‘isolated.’

Point 4: Call Sandy Robbins, Artistic Director of the U of D's REP Ensemble. As I have mentioned in this column ad nauseam, the REP is the grandest theatre in the state. To understate, it is heavily subsidized by the University, but Robbins is an Elmer Gantry of live theatre. A zealot. He would not turn down the opportunity to advise.

Point 5: Full disclosure. I sent to the Mary Ann Ehlshager, the person in charge now, personal suggestions of shows for this upcoming season. Two were productions I wrote revolving around Judy Garland and George Gershwin, which premiered here in Wilmington and consequently sold to regional theatres around the U.S. A third idea was my writing an original show using scripts from “I Love Lucy.” The fourth idea was a family oriented “Sound of Music”sing-a-long fundraiser.

Trust me, I have received multitudinous more no’s than yes's over the years. However, in the submission to DTC, I received no response at all. I am a Delawarean. I write an arts column. It would at least have been nice for them to say, “thanks, Monsieur Aisle Say, but we're going in a different direction.”

DTC, don't isolate yourself. Embrace the community and we will hug you back. Even Aisle Say, who has experienced a lifetime of rejection on every level imaginable! Create a diverse season of laughter and tears. Make us feel and we will be there for you.