The actual commercial theatre does not exist equally in all parts of the USA. Here in the South the "theatre" is little more than bad community theatre, or ridiculously pretentious college theatre, or professional musical reviews masquerading as "theatre" per se. Here I am in Savannah, GA and there is no professional theatre -- none at all. There are half a dozen universities and colleges, some of whom purport to do theatre, but to very little good effect. Consequently the audience's sense of quality acting, smooth directing, and even purposeful technical design all atrophy. We can be kind and say " they are doing the best they can" but the truth is that those doing such theatre, and the audiences that support it, are all equally guilty of the crime of doing dismal work.
There is a place for theatre in life -- there is a place for drama that moves the soul, that inspires the hearts and minds of the audience, that tunes the senses to a high pitch of response. The is a place for excellent theatre -- but it requires that the participants -- all the participants including the audience -- are in the process together; seeking, playing, being, wanting to live, wanting to show, wanting to understand the core of the matter.
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