Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: unforgivable sin

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VPA1
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Topic: unforgivable sin
Posted: 4/08/08 at 3:11pm

In your opinion, it is an unforgivable sin to threaten not to go on stage during the run of a show if the theater has a policy about babies that you don't approve of?

A cast member became upset because a baby was crying in our audience (172 seats). The patron took the baby into the lobby quickly. It is a pain because they must pass in front of everyone to exit, but in your humble opinion, should I ever allow this person to act in a show again?

thanks,
larry

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jayzehr
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Posted: 4/08/08 at 4:09pm

I'd say it would have to be something approaching nuclear war to justify threatening not to go on stage and I wouldn't want to work with that person again. But that's just me.

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Linda S
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Posted: 4/08/08 at 5:37pm

I've been thinking about this. I have never had anyone refuse to go on stage. (Well, I did have an actress lock herself in the attic of theater opening night, but that is another story.) How does the actor feel about cell phones? Candy wrappers? People talking? Would he refuse to go on stage over those interuptions?

The actor sounds like more trouble then they are worth.

Linda

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spikesgirl
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Posted: 4/08/08 at 6:39pm

Likewise, I've never had an actor refuse to go on because of such and such - they've come off the stage pretty hot because of a cell phone or someone in the front row having a chat up with their seat mate, but it's never come to the 'either or' situation. Unless this actor was incredibly gifted and the only one in town, I'd look elsewhere.

Don't feel bad, Linda, we had our lead attempt suicide opening night. He was a pro that had been contracted in - I was just a whelp at the time, but I do remember the director going on, script in hand, to open the show.

It was a pretty scary time. The next night, the understudy was in place.

Charlie

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Linda S
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Posted: 4/08/08 at 7:20pm

Okay, that is really bad Charlie. I talked mine out of the attic before the curtain went up.

Linda

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bbpchick
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Posted: 4/08/08 at 8:58pm

I think what your actor pulled was totally unacceptable. People have children. They sometimes bring them to shows, it's a fact of life. In another thread someone mentioned that their house manager placed people with children close to the exits so that they could leave quickly with minimum disturbance to the other patrons which I think is an excellent idea.

If I was in your situation, my reaction would be to NEVER cast this actor again. You just don't do that. It is a slap in the face of everyother person who has worked SO hard on the show. From the other actors, to the crew, to the publicity people and the director and everyone inbetween. And actually, if I had an understudy, all of a sudden, the understudy would have the part for the rest of the run.

I dunno, I may have been harsh there, but as someone who is not only a parent, but a theater person, I think it is important to expose children to the theater at an early age because these kids are going to be our actors and crew members and volunteers later on. I also think what your actor pulled was something you JUST DON'T DO. You DO NOT threaten a production on purpose especially over something so trivial.

So to answer your question....yes what your actor pulled was an unforgivable sin.

Ok I'm done ranting.

Kendra
www.murphysblackbartplayers.com
You are NEVER too old to dress up!

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VPA1
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Posted: 4/08/08 at 10:21pm

Thanks, and thanks again. With your input, it's the guillotine for him. Even in my crabbiest moment I can't imagine threatening not to go on stage over something as trivial as this. Really, I can't imagine doing it in any case. So, good, it IS an unforgivable sin!

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pdavis69
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Posted: 4/09/08 at 7:41am

There are some reasons I can think of for making that threat but a crying baby isn't one of them. We had an entire cast make the boycott threat several summers ago during a run of Godspell. The air conditioner passed away on Friday night leaving the stage temperature well above the 100 degree mark. After several near pass outs in the cast, the ultimatum was put down "fix the air conditioner or cancell the show". It may not have been the nicest thing but the cast and the audience were miserable. The repairman was at the theatre first thing Saturday morning.

Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 4/09/08 at 9:51am

"...threaten not to go on stage during the run of a show if the theater has a policy about babies that you don't approve of..."

Frankly, I'm envious of you.

We don't ever get famous, important, demanding, temperamental stars to audition for our theatre.

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spikesgirl
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Posted: 4/09/08 at 10:42am

Originally posted by pdavis69

There are some reasons I can think of for making that threat but a crying baby isn't one of them. We had an entire cast make the boycott threat several summers ago during a run of Godspell. The air conditioner passed away on Friday night leaving the stage temperature well above the 100 degree mark. After several near pass outs in the cast, the ultimatum was put down "fix the air conditioner or cancell the show". It may not have been the nicest thing but the cast and the audience were miserable. The repairman was at the theatre first thing Saturday morning.

See, that's a reasonable situation and not unforgivable at all. Having cast or crew pass out is never a good thing. Absolutely the a/c needed to be repaired and sometimes it takes a united voice to be heard. Besides, if your actors are uncomfortable, just think what the audience is going through. They have a much lower tolerance point.

Charlie

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