Rip,
I think my initial response to yours is best sent front-channel because
questions some assumptions in your list and is, therefore, something for
possible discussion...
----- Original Message -----
From: Rip Bulkeley <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 09 March 2000 08:11
Subject: guidelines
If you have offered someone a gig who has not given much thought to the
reading of poetry, then is saying "The Poets We Like Best... Have thought
about reading poetry" going to change them and make them suddenly do all the
missing thinking? It's a lifetime's task. It's one thing to prompt themm to
leave enough time to get there and quite another to ask them to make sure
that their entire approach is appropriate! Better to do that by judicious
selection.
Would it not be better to have said "Let us know if you smoke or have
special needs". It's a little less like school rules. If you want them to be
professional, treat them as professionals and assume that they will be
punctual, rehearsed, with legible scripts, can read to an audience rather
than themselves etc.
If they don't need reminding, don't remind them... Again, "I'm sure you
don't need reminding but" a little schoolish; and it doesn't fool us at
school
On the other hand, perhaps
| Are conscious that their hosts are presenting a full evening's
| entertainment to a paying audience;
needs a little more expansion, entertainment meaning such a wide range of
things. If I got that list, it would be that which stood out for me and I'd
wonder whether or not the *audience had thought sufficiently about *hearing
poetry and if they were ready for a full evening of it. Reading inaudibly
etc is a waste of time in any situation, regardless of payment
Finally... your notes don't seem to allow for the posibility of any
improvisation, multi-voice, mixed media or non linear work. Surely some
mistake.
All the best
Lawrence
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