Do you think about the public in your work?
“In the university performance world, the exams are held in
public,” said Bhasin. “As much as we would like to think that this is a place
of learning, and healthy
failure is expected and required, I don’t think anyone
in the audience would be comfortable if someone completely fell apart in the
middle of a performance.”
Bhasin continued, “We are lucky that the public is there. We need to respect that and be mindful of it and try to offer them something to hold them in their chair for a couple of hours. The audience clapping is a magical, special moment that musicians should enjoy.”
Wiley added, “When I set out to direct a show, I ask myself: Are
people here to forget their troubles for a couple of hours? Will they be
transported to a magical world, where they might entertain new ideas and
exercise their imagination along with us? Is the piece more of a social
commentary that aims to inspire, or is it meant to inform the audience and bring
them to action?”
Wiley continued, “I think about the audience witnessing the transformation of the actor to the character and the collective group of actors inviting us into this whole world of the story. On a subliminal level, I think this reminds the audience of what transformation is possible for them. That experience comes home much more at a live event than when you are removed by some kind of device.”
Audio: Some back and forth about performance length.
