There’s some DRAMA happening in the theater community right now (DRAMA? GET IT? DO YOU GET IT? NO? THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PERSONAL PROBLEM) because super famous tiny glasses playwright man David Mamet has officially forbidden theaters from holding audience talkbacks after his plays. In fact, if a theater is found doing such an abhorrent thing, they could be fined $20,000. He feels really strongly that plays are not meant to be publicly dissected after the fact, but how can we expect an audience to come and engage in our work, but then not listen to them after? I was pretty against Mamet’s stance. UNTIL. Last weekend, after a reading of a new play of mine:

Audience member: You know, you’re really much prettier than the pictures show.

Me:….thank you…?

Audience member: really, you’re much better looking in person. Your pictures aren’t very good.

Me: haha! Right! Um. I’m not very good. At taking pictures.

Audience member: you’re really not. You should really get them re-done.

Me: THANK YOU SO MUCH I WILL REALLY THINK ABOUT THAT.

TALK BACKS FOREVER CANCELLED.