Creativity as an effective means for addressing life’s challenges, big or small, is often overlooked. From issues of international or national scope, on down to what’s going on in our own homes on a daily basis, rarely do we think about being “creative.” That’s too bad. Creativity allows us to think outside the box, to look at old problems in new ways, to consider solutions and approaches that we might not “dare” give a second thought otherwise.
Creativity leads to innovation, and innovation leads to dramatic improvements and leaps forward. Without creativity, would we have ever gone to the moon? Would the Wright brothers have taken their historic flight? Would medicine and science be where they are today?
Not likely.
Creativity is as important to theatre production as it is to the inspiration that first brings rise to the stories being told or the performances themselves.
What might have Star Wars looked like had George Lucas not had the vision and creativity not only to create the compelling saga, but to bring it to life on the big screen? What about James Cameron and Avatar, the biggest grossing movie of all time? Without the stage (in these cases, film) upon which these stories were told, it’s not hard to imagine that their lasting impact on audiences and filmmakers would not have been so great.
Looking at theatre, where would any number of Broadway musicals be today without the creative minds that helped stage them and present them to audiences, including everything from lighting and audio, to set design and effective props?
Next time you’re in a theatre—whether it’s your local grade school, community theatre, or some larger venue—or at the movies or watching TV, take the moment to consider the team behind the scenes. Not to diminish the important contributions of artists who write, perform, and direct, but without the creative, can-do attitudes of many a production manager or team member, going to the theatre would not be nearly as enjoyable and invigorating an experience as it is.
Peter Croken 