Audience Development

59 years ago,
When at the age of 5...
The Phyllis Stone School of Dance,
Gave me an opportunity...
To gaze my eyes upon an audience.
At the Bushnell Memorial Auditorium,
During my dance recital.
In Hartford, Connecticut.
And I will 'never' forget it.
So much in my mind has stayed and clicked.

I am familiar with critique.
With a delivery that is instant and quick.

Audience development,
Is like the nurturing of a child.
People are fed what they are given.
And,
Of course...
One entertaining them,
Wishes to see them give honest feedback.
If it is just a hint of a smile.
This entices one to sweat with more effort.

~Okay.
I get this.
You didn't like what I did?
How about...that? ~

There is nothing like watching someone,
Who believes,
In fact...
They are watching you.
There is 'nothing' quite like this.

And it is unfortunate this kind of expertise,
Isn't taught in schools to teach.
Some fools go to school to fool around,
And not learn.
And at the end of their nonsense,
They expect to receive a diploma or a degree.
Something to show for their lack of concern.

Leaving an audience unconvinced...
What had been experienced,
Had been worth the fee.
And they have every right to feel cheated.
A business conducted...
Had not been understood,
As it should have been perceived.

People do not have to be told,
When their money and time has been wasted.
And those who are given awards for nothing...
Have high expectations,
For sleep walking through their paces.

'Why do we bother to put up with this...
This...
Foolishness.'

It makes for good P-R.
No matter what the reality is!
It just makes good the 'PR'.

'Ugh.
Geeessshhh! '

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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