Drama Department vs Show Biz Department

Again, another great post from Theatre Ideas: Tom Laughlin writes: To my knowledge, there are no Departments of Show Business at any universities — The Departments, Drama Departments, but no Show Business Departments. Maybe we need to encourage this label, so that potential students can make a distinction between commercially-oriented departments (Show Business), Big Regional Theatre -oriented departments (Theatre), liberal arts-oriented departments (Drama), and community-based departments (Community Arts), or Interdisciplinary Arts. At least there would be truth in advertising.

I think this is a great proposition. Again, I have seen in the past five years an incredible encroachment of big business in even regional performing arts booking conferences. Moneyed producers take presenters out to dinner and a (their) show. Result: the small artist showcasing has no presenters to present to. Prior to this, all showcasing for these conferences were confined to the hotel hosting the conference, which produced a level playing field. Not so anymore...