- Pants Redefines Minneapolis Theatre
(Originally published on Theatrehead.com)
As evidenced by the annoying trends in corporate America, every industry seems to have developed its own buzzspeak, and the Theatre industry is no exception. There are even terms that are specific to a particular region. Those of us who have been working in the twin cities for a while now have become familiar with some of these terms. For those of you out there who are new to our little incestuous tribe, here�s a crash course on some of the local theater slang�
Saint Paul � (noun) - a place or area that appears to be useable but nothing happens there.
Sample Usage: �Are you sure you want the lights up to full in that upstage left alcove? You�ve got a real Saint Paul going there.�
Beerplan � (noun) � A small upstart theater company thrown together by a group of people who went to college together and most likely at some point during a drunken bender, someone said, �Hey when wheeze get outta here lesshtart a theater company!�
Sample Usage: �The sharp rise in the production of Bogosian and Mamet plays was directly proportional to the increase in Beerplan companies this year.�
Fringeable � (adjective) - A production that is probably not be suitable for a mainstream theater company, possibly due to it being rough and amateurish, but would be right at home in a small chaotic theater festival. May involve gratuitous nudity.
Sample Usage: �Thank you for your submission. While it does not fit into our current mission and requirements, we think it has potential and is really quite Fringeable as is. Best of luck in your endeavors!�
Heidi - (noun) - A production that is probably not be suitable for a mainstream theater company, possibly due to it being completely bizarre, but would be right at home in a small coffee house or anarchist storefront theatre. Usually involves gratuitous nudity.
Sample Usage: �Did you catch that thing at the Acadia? Sure was a Heidi� and extremely Fringeable!�
Edina Girl � (noun) - A theater company that has more money than it knows what to do with, usually having no artistic merit.
Sample Usage: �The Guthrie? That frickin� Edina Girl wants public money for another theater?!�
TRP � (verb)- To ask someone to do something for free.
Sample Usage: �Listen, I need to be reimbursed for the studio time, so don�t try to TRP me on this!�
Phipps � (verb) - To ask someone to go somewhere out of their way and do something for free.
Sample Usage: �You can�t even cover my mileage?! Go Phipps somebody else!�
Chanhassen (verb) - To ask someone to go somewhere out of their way and do something for pay, but relinquish their immortal soul.
Sample Usage: �Oh God, I used to have self-respect, but the money was just too good� God help me I�ve Chanhassened myself and I just� screw it, give me the pills, just give me the pills damn you! Damn you all! DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!!!
Grad School Plug � (noun) � An audition at the Guthrie Theater.
Sample Usage: �Good luck at your Grad School Plug. Say hi to Dowling for me� and don�t let �em Chanhassen ya!�
Pants �(noun) - A loudmouth know-it-all who has plenty of opinions but really doesn�t know what the hell he�s talking about.
Sample Usage: �That guy doesn�t know squat about AFTRA. What a frickin� Pants!�
-E.A.P