ALMetro360 July 2018

How does one explain the magic of the theater? Since almost every society throughout history has had some form of perform- ances, it must answer a widespread need in human beings. That magic is based primarily on the telling of stories. Throughout the ages we humans have sat around the campfire while someone be- gins with “Once Upon a Time,” and we are mesmerized. But the theater is much more than that because it shows us as we really are, vicious, hateful, self-destructive or heroic, brilliant, self-sacri- ficing. And that insight can help us change, and so the theater can break down walls and lead to a better society. Many in the theatrical profession wonder about the overall effect of increasing technology on the theater world. Are we relying too much on special effects rather than the conflict of character where the real drama lies? “No technology can replace the human touch,” Schmidt says, “because any play is created by labor intensity carried to its final limits, with the touch over nearly every inch. It is that touch which cannot be replaced.” The ASF is embarking on a great adventure. For the first time there will be two heads of state: Rick Dildine to manage the edu- cational and theatrical division, and Todd Schmidt to take care of the marketing and financial section. Though they have spent less than a month together they seem to have parsed out how to com- plement each other professionally, for neither has threatened to re- sign, neither complains about his lines in the dialogue and no challenges to a duel have been issued. So, as the curtain rises we can suspend our sense of disbelief and feel sure the coming pro- duction will be a smash hit. n Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter JULY 2018 69