more fieldnotes

This is going to be a very long post (just to warn you)...

I posted this survey online on Voices For Rent (voicesforrrent.com) to get some thoughts from fans. I got a lot of lengthy responses, which was inevitable with these kinds of questions, so I won’t post them all, but here are some bits and pieces, or overall generalizations, that I think are very interesting and telling:

1. How and when did you first hear of Rent?
Most people first acknowledged it when the movie came out, so the movie definitely increased publicity for the show. Others just heard the music, it got stuck in their head, and they had to see the show.

2. Describe as best you can your first experience of the show.
“Every song, every note, every word stuck with me and really affected me (in a good way)… I was almost in tears after it was over. It was such an incredible experience.” – Anonymous (16-yr-old girl from Long Island – to make it easier, I’ll call her Mary)
“The first time I saw the show, I was so enchanted by it all. To see the movie is one thing, but to see it live, there’s no comparison.” – Nina (age 15, from LA)
“It just made me feel like life was good. Probably the best feeling I’ve ever had.” – Sophie (age 17, from Massachusetts).

3. Why do you like the show? (I know this is a loaded question, but just try to list a few reasons. What draws you to the show?
“Rent is an amazing show with an incredible message. It promotes love, friendship, family, hope, and living each day like it's your last… The theatre also has a very warm and homey atmostphere. I see rent at least once a week, usually more, and what draws me to the show, in addition to the music and the message, is just this amazing feeling of home and warmth. I never really fit in anywhere. I always felt like an outsider. The Nederlander is the one place where i feel truely happy.” – Mary
“The show is raw and truthful. Very untypically of any other broadway show in topic and music. The music is diverse, uplifting, powerful and fun.” – Joe (age 52, from NYC
“It deals with real life issues… Rent really appeals to everyone whether they are old or young because everyone deals with things like love and death and addictions…And I love the music. It’s not like a normal Broadway show. It has fun music that appeals to a lot of younger people.” – Lauren (age 19 from Pennsylvania)
“I love the music… That is my favorite part of the show. I also love the characters…that are so believable and so real that anyone can relate to them. I also love the messages it portrays…I try to incorporate all of them into my everyday life.” – Rachel (age 19, from Rochester, NY)

4. Pick an inspirational quote from the show and explain its meaning to you.
“ ‘No day but today’… it gives everyone hope that, today can always be better then yesterday, or to just live your life in “Today”, don’t think about tomorrow and the problems waiting for you. Think of today, and only today.” – Erika (age 15, from Miami)
“ ‘Forget regret or life is yours to miss’…if you dwell on things in the past, you are gonna miss out on what life has in store for you in the future. It’s pretty much saying carpe diem, live life to the fullest. You only live once, so make worth while!” – Lauren
“ ‘I can’t control my destiny; I trust my soul; My only goal is just to be.’Well, it’s pretty self-explanatory. It means live life just for the sake of living. You can’t control the future, so don’t worry about it, trust yourself, your instincts, and your heart, and just live.” – Sophie
“ ‘No day but today’…I also apply this to my homework, seeing as I like to be a procrastinator, there is “no day but today” to get it done! I also think that this is the most important theme from the whole show” – Rachel

5. How would you define the term “Renthead”? Is any Rent fan a Renthead, or does it take a higher degree of fandom? Would you consider yourself a Renthead?
“In my opinion, a "Renthead" is a person who constantly camped outside the Nederlander in 1996 for tickets. I see the show all the time (I've seen it 67 times in less than a year…) but I don't consider myself a "Renthead"…we call ourselves the “regulars”… None of us really like the term "Renthead".” – Mary
“A major factor in being a Renthead is learning more about Jonathan and his life… I am not a Renthead since I do not wear Rent items or take pictures and obviously much older than most people on the board.” – Joe
“Anyone who has seen the show and loves it. It doesn’t matter how many times you have seen the show, because not everyone has the chance to see it, or if you know all the words to the songs. All that matters is that you love the show and you love the meaning of the show.” – Lauren
“I think that anyone who wants to consider him or herself a RENThead can be a RENThead.” – Rachel

6. Did the show change your views on AIDS or homosexuality at all? If so, how?
“I learned a lot more about AIDS from Rent. It showed me that even though somebody has AIDS, they can still live a normal life filled with love, hate, friendship, heartache, and happiness.” – Mary
“It has made me more open minded about both issues. More sympathetic to AIDS victims. And to accept people more for their homosexuality.” – Joe
“It did change my perspective on drug abusers, it told me that people can truly change” – Erika
“I was a little naïve to the facts before I had heard of RENT. I didn’t know anyone that was homosexual and when I saw someone that was, I just thought they were weird and “gross.” I am ashamed that was how I was, but I can happily say that RENT completely changed me in this regard. I am now more educated on the subject and do not find it weird at all… I do not judge people anymore and I am so happy because of it.” - Rachel

7. Do you think there is a certain style or stereotype associated with Rent fans? What is the typical fan like, if there is a typical fan?
“Well there's differnt types of fans. The "regualrs" are one type. We see the show all the time. We all know each other and most of us are friends with each other. We love the show and the music and we see the theatre as a kind of home…A lot of people think we're "elite" or something, but we're really not. We just get kind of annoyed at the fangirls who are another type of fan. They are usually girls between the ages of 12 and 17 who scream and cry and attack actors. They write on the wall and leave the show early to stagedoor.” – Mary
“most typical Rent fan, though not limited to, is probably: young (13-20), more women then men, liberal thinking, high achiever (grades) in school, goals in life would include in the field of arts (music, theater) or work in an aread that would help others in need (eg. medical, community help groups, etc.)” – Joe
“When I first found Rent I expected there to be a stereotype, a very loose bohemian fan girl. But after meeting more fans, I’m learning there isn’t really one stereotype because Jonathan’s words have such power they can really capture anyone” – Nina
“There’s no typical style, really. I mean, we’re all bohemians at heart, but we don’t necessarily dress in leopard print, tights, and clunky boots every day. Rent fandom is more in the mindset than anything else” – Sophie
“I think people of all walks and ages enjoy this show” – Erika
“No I dont think there is. Any one can enjoy the show if they open up their mind.” – Cassandra (age 20, from Mississippi)

8. How often and how do you interact with other fans?
Most participants said they interact daily, or at least several times a week, on Voices For Rent or other websites. (although I may need to poll a broader group of people on this question, since I found all of these informants on VFR) Many of them mentioned that they have made very good friends through the show.

9. What do Rent and Rent fans stand for? Is there any statement you’re trying to make, any specific idea you want to represent?
“Rent and Rent fans stand for Love and trying to find your place in the world.” – Cassandra
“It is amazing the vast scope of types of people they represent. Everyone is so different yet they get along, but it is alright to disagree as long as we accept each others views.” – Joe
“Rent stands for living life to the fullest and accepting people even though they are different” – Lauren
“Rent, the bohemian lifestyle, all of that is just about expressing yourself and doing whatever it takes to love your life. Live in the now, never compromise love of any sort, and celebrate life while you have it. Any struggle will be worth it in the end.” – Sophie
“I am just trying to appreciate good musical theatre and feel really good for a while when I am there. I am not really trying to make a statement of any kind.” – Rachel
“I'm not trying to make a statement by seeing the show all the time. I just love it… The message the show tries to send to it's audiences each performance is that you shouldn't take even a second for granted. Life's too short to hold back. You need to live each moment like it's your last because for all you know it could be.” – Mary

10. How has Rent affected your life? Do you relate to any specific part of the show?
Several of these fans have someone close to them who has recently died, had/has AIDS, is homosexual, or has/does use drugs, so they relate very closely to the characters, but about half did not have this relation. For them, Rent has helped their confidence, helped them through other hard times in their lives, and taught them acceptance. For many, this show introduced them to musical theater, as well.

11. What’s your personal lifestyle like? (what’s your career, what do you enjoy doing in your free time, etc.)
A wide variety of people took this survey. Ages ranged from 15 to 52. They enjoy varying activities, from travel to sports. However, they were mostly females, mostly high school or college students, and most of them are involved in or enjoy music and/or theater.

12. Define Bohemian (what does it mean to you?).
“Poor starving artist” – Cassandra
“Bohemian probably means free spirited, take each day one at a time lifestyle” – Joe“A person, as an artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices.” – Erika
“Anyone who is doing what they love in life, even if they aren’t making a lot of money” – Lauren
“Poor, but holding onto your beliefs, and happy because you’re doing something you love. You’re not gonna give up your dreams for money. You have to have a creative, passionate mindset, strong beliefs, and the ability to make the best out of the worst.” – Sophie

13. If you’ve seen both the show and the movie, how do they compare? Which is better, why, and what are the biggest differences?
Unanimously, these fans liked the show better. There are several scenes that are in the show that are not in the movie, and all the participants feel that those scenes are valuable. Some say that the movie is easier to follow, but they all shared an unbeatable feeling from seeing the performance live, feeling like they’re more directly in the action – there’s a rush that theater-lovers get in the theater that can’t be beat.