90 Minutes or Less

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/14/3205257/on-stage-playing-it-short-as-in.html

In this article, the Kansas City Star reported that there may be a new wave of popularity for one act plays. I definitely think theatre would be more effective with audiences if plays had a shorter running time than the typical 2 hours including intermission. Today's public is about instant gratification and entertainment. We live in a world with television and movies and if we hope to get people's attention as theatre practitioners, we need to play by the audiences rules. People generally don't want to have to think too hard when they are at a leisurely activity, and more importantly they don't want to be bored. Plays usually require some intellectual participation by the audience, and if a play runs too long the audience will drop out mentally. Some may say that this will only enable our lazy society but if we want to reach people and really get them to consider change in the world, or at least give business to theaters, we must consider ways to keep their experience to their liking so that they keep coming back.