Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Breaking tradition

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Shatcher
Celebrity

Joined: 2/21/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 251

Posted: 5/22/07 at 1:37pm

I have worked with a director who likes to have a toast with the entire company after the opening night show.Works out great all the back slapping, and fanny kissing happens after the toast. then we all go party or home. takes about 15 minutes. this is gift giving time as well. As SM I have been called on stage by the cast and just sat in my booth not moving, or maybe I will wave. I am not to be seen, I am a creature of the darkness!

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AngelSong76
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 5/08/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 5/31/07 at 3:23pm

I was just in my first play at a community theatre that I've always wanted to be a part of, but never had the courage to try. One thing I loved was that after the opening night show was over, we all changed into our street clothes and met on the stage. The audience was gone and it was just people involved in the show. We all toasted the show with champagne that the director had brought, and talked about how the performance felt. It was the only performance the director attended out of the eight show run that we had.

The last show was a matinee, so the cast party was that evening at the director's house. We finished the performance, struck the set, cleaned the theatre and the dressing rooms, gathered the costumes and props and put them where they needed to go, and then headed out to her house for the party.

At this theatre, there are no speeches of any kind. There is a taped announcement welcoming everyone to the show and warning about cell phones and photography. It's short and sweet, and everyone seems to abide by them.

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eveharrington
Celebrity

Joined: 8/28/06
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 198

Posted: 6/02/07 at 3:52pm

the last show I directed, I also ran the curtain (small group) at the end of the last show I knew it was coming and planned on sneaking out the back door as soon as I closed after the curtain call. The prop mistress grabbed me and physically forced me thru a door onto the stage. People in the audience commented that I looked furious.

"If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights."

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bbpchick
Star
Star

Joined: 7/17/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 86

Posted: 7/17/07 at 6:33pm

In my little community theater, the calling of the director is a tradition. But the trick is to keep it short and sweet. I work in a recognition of the sound and lighting crew into the curtian call. The cast just indicates the lighting booth and claps so they get recognition each night.

On the final night I just say thank you all for coming and this has been a great show and I would like to thank the cast and crew for all their hard work. I hope to see you again next time!

And leave it at that. SHort and sweet and to the point and no hurt feelings cuz I didn't call anyone by name. Then the lights go up and the cast goes out as usual and talks to their family and friends.

I figure it is easier that way than fighting with anyone about wether we are going to have closing night director call up.

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whitebat
Celebrity

Joined: 8/05/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 137

Posted: 8/11/07 at 6:53pm

At a high school production (during the school day), the director gave a brief pre-show speech to the effect of "what a good, considerate audience you are", which would be in effect the cell phone speech from a positive perspective. Unfortunately I think some of our shows have had director and crew called, although they did not make LONG speeches. The cast usually acknowledges whoever is working in the booth with raised arms and applause from the stage.

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Author	Message
Shatcher Celebrity Joined: 2/21/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 251	Posted: 5/22/07 at 1:37pm
	I have worked with a director who likes to have a toast with the entire company after the opening night show.Works out great all the back slapping, and fanny kissing happens after the toast. then we all go party or home. takes about 15 minutes. this is gift giving time as well. As SM I have been called on stage by the cast and just sat in my booth not moving, or maybe I will wave. I am not to be seen, I am a creature of the darkness!
	IP Logged

AngelSong76 Walk-On Joined: 5/08/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 5/31/07 at 3:23pm
	I was just in my first play at a community theatre that I've always wanted to be a part of, but never had the courage to try. One thing I loved was that after the opening night show was over, we all changed into our street clothes and met on the stage. The audience was gone and it was just people involved in the show. We all toasted the show with champagne that the director had brought, and talked about how the performance felt. It was the only performance the director attended out of the eight show run that we had. The last show was a matinee, so the cast party was that evening at the director's house. We finished the performance, struck the set, cleaned the theatre and the dressing rooms, gathered the costumes and props and put them where they needed to go, and then headed out to her house for the party. At this theatre, there are no speeches of any kind. There is a taped announcement welcoming everyone to the show and warning about cell phones and photography. It's short and sweet, and everyone seems to abide by them.
	IP Logged

eveharrington Celebrity Joined: 8/28/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 198	Posted: 6/02/07 at 3:52pm
	the last show I directed, I also ran the curtain (small group) at the end of the last show I knew it was coming and planned on sneaking out the back door as soon as I closed after the curtain call. The prop mistress grabbed me and physically forced me thru a door onto the stage. People in the audience commented that I looked furious.
	"If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights."
	IP Logged

bbpchick Star Joined: 7/17/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 86	Posted: 7/17/07 at 6:33pm
	In my little community theater, the calling of the director is a tradition. But the trick is to keep it short and sweet. I work in a recognition of the sound and lighting crew into the curtian call. The cast just indicates the lighting booth and claps so they get recognition each night. On the final night I just say thank you all for coming and this has been a great show and I would like to thank the cast and crew for all their hard work. I hope to see you again next time! And leave it at that. SHort and sweet and to the point and no hurt feelings cuz I didn't call anyone by name. Then the lights go up and the cast goes out as usual and talks to their family and friends. I figure it is easier that way than fighting with anyone about wether we are going to have closing night director call up.
	IP Logged

whitebat Celebrity Joined: 8/05/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 137	Posted: 8/11/07 at 6:53pm
	At a high school production (during the school day), the director gave a brief pre-show speech to the effect of "what a good, considerate audience you are", which would be in effect the cell phone speech from a positive perspective. Unfortunately I think some of our shows have had director and crew called, although they did not make LONG speeches. The cast usually acknowledges whoever is working in the booth with raised arms and applause from the stage.
	IP Logged

Topic: Breaking tradition( Topic Closed)
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