I stepped on Big Bird today. And Thomas Edison. And even Pat Sajak (I enjoyed that one).

Yep, while in LA I took a walk down Hollywood Boulevard on the wondrous Walk of Fame. It’s quite a big deal, you know. They have a big to-do when you get your star. And then people take pictures of it (even if they don’t know who you are). And it gets a wikipedia entry.

And it’s brilliant marketing.

Why don’t we have we have a walk of fame? Anyone out there reading that controls that bit of real estate known as Shubert Alley? Or what about down our namesake street itself?

Seems like the perfect place to put down some permanent markers for our biggest stars, no? (We actually have a theater hall of fame, but it’s at the Gershwin Theater, so only the Wicked audiences get to gaze on the names of the inductees).

I know what you’re saying . . . that most people don’t know our stars like they know Hollywood stars, so it wouldn’t be as exciting since we don’t have an “Elvis”.

But that’s my point. By creating a public and permanent honor we are saying to the world, “Hey, these people are significant, so you should pay attention . . . and take pictures”.

You don’t think that people would? Then try this:

Go out into the streets. Stop on the sidewalk and look up . . . at nothing. Soon enough, someone will walk up next to you, stop, and stare straight up in the air wondering what the heck you’re looking at.

You can’t tell your audience to pay attention. You have to do things that demonstrate that your art form deserves attention.

Do that, and your audiences will pay attention . . . and full price.