Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: HELP

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sonshine
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Topic: HELP
Posted: 8/22/08 at 12:15pm

My name is Tracy Carson and I am in a huge quagmire. I started a theatre group (sonshinedramaministry.org) anyway, in our first play I was involved in every aspect of the production. I was producer, actor, costume designer, etc. In our next play, I decided to take not take on so much and took on the role of producer which meant in my mind that I didn't need to be in so many rehearsals. Well that was a mistake, I was soundly critized for that. I am wondering from your view who should attend rehearsals?

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imamember
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Posted: 8/22/08 at 12:38pm

Our producers rarely attend full rehearsal. I see ours maybe once or twice a week and never for the entire 3 hours of rehearsal. They should be out pimping your show! Getting buts in seats, helping in other ways. Getting on teh radio or public access. Hanging posters, finding a sponsor, something.

They stop by occasionally to talk with the director to report and to find out what else can be done.

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sonshine
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Posted: 8/22/08 at 1:19pm

That is exactly what I explained to everyone. They seem to think I should be at every rehearsal. They seem not to understand the roles of people in theater. I wonder is there a manual I could send them to and have them read?

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ClintonHammond
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Posted: 8/22/08 at 1:27pm

Seems to me that just about every theatre ends up writing their own manual, to suit their own individual cases...

But if you find one, please, do share!

Sounds to me like you have a raging epidemic of something that's very common in community theatre...

"But-you-did-it-all-for-us-before-why-won't-you-keep-doing-it-now"itus...

Some people, no matter how much you try to teach them to stand on their own two feet, would still rather hang off your back instead.

Without actors, a techie is a person with a list of marketable skills.
Without techies, an actor is just a goof, emoting alone in the dark.

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sonshine
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Posted: 8/22/08 at 2:25pm

It is really hard to take too. I am trying to do more to raise funds so that we can apply for a 501c3 ( I know I should have done this first but I thought it is best to go on withourt a board and 501c3 and get volunteers. I was so wrong for me to do. I don't think I deserved to be yelled at for a mistake that I admitted I made. But you are so right.

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ClintonHammond
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Posted: 8/22/08 at 2:45pm

No one really deserves to be yelled at, for the most part... But in any group, there are going to be those who mostly only bellyache about how things are done, and those few who are actually doing the work. And the poeple who bellyache will bellyache no matter what you do.

Nowhere is that more evidence than in community theatre.

How to deal with it? I find it's best to shut them out of your mind, and get on with doing what you choose to do, and let them go pound sand. You'll never win them over (Often they're not worth winning over), and you'll never change their minds... It's pointless to even try.

Your emotions are your own, and they cannot touch them (unless you allow them to) Be the ducks-back that the water of their unfounded criticism runs off of.

And well, the best response to ever critic is "Well, if you don't like how I'm doing this, you're more than welcome to do it your damn self!" Then tend to scatter like frightened geese after that, leaving you to get on with the work at hand.

Without actors, a techie is a person with a list of marketable skills.
Without techies, an actor is just a goof, emoting alone in the dark.

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sonshine
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Posted: 8/22/08 at 3:49pm

Thanks foir your comments, I really need them. I was so ready to throw in the towel because these negative people were the only ones who volunteered. It sounds like you are saying that I need to concentrate on being a producer, fundraising and getting new volunteers and starting over again.

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ClintonHammond
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Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:16pm

Umm... that was not really what I was saying Sonshine... well, not directly anyway...

I guess the gist of my advice (Ha! My advice and $1.50 will get you a small cup of really lousy coffee) was to concentrate on doing the things that you enjoy doing, and "Illegitimati Non Carborundum" (Bad Latin for "Don't let the bastards grind you down")

"negative people were the only ones who volunteered"
One trick with those kind of people is to give them just enough rope to hang themselves... and then stand back and watch them kick. (Figuratively of course.... I'd NEVER advocate hanging anyone... not me... no... never... honest! LOL )

Getting new volunteers is a process that aught be on-going, never ending... And if you crack a good formula for how to do it, and can bottle it, you'll make millions! :-)

Without actors, a techie is a person with a list of marketable skills.
Without techies, an actor is just a goof, emoting alone in the dark.

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:27pm

I don't understand what part of being a producer would require you to be at every rehearsal. I've never known a producer to attend every rehearsal - what would they DO?

Obviously, somebody has to be in charge of a rehearsal in terms of physical building and scheduling...unlocking, locking up, turning on and off lights, tidying up after rehearsal, etc. Usually that is designated for the stage manager, assistant director - or the director.

Have you asked these people who want you at every rehearsal what they think your DUTIES should be at these rehearsals?

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sonshine
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Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:31pm

Oh, thanks for the further explaination and encouragement.

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Other Topics
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Other Topics

Author	Message
sonshine Lead Joined: 3/23/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 33	Topic: HELP Posted: 8/22/08 at 12:15pm
	My name is Tracy Carson and I am in a huge quagmire. I started a theatre group (sonshinedramaministry.org) anyway, in our first play I was involved in every aspect of the production. I was producer, actor, costume designer, etc. In our next play, I decided to take not take on so much and took on the role of producer which meant in my mind that I didn't need to be in so many rehearsals. Well that was a mistake, I was soundly critized for that. I am wondering from your view who should attend rehearsals?

	IP Logged

imamember Celebrity Joined: 8/18/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 121	Posted: 8/22/08 at 12:38pm
	Our producers rarely attend full rehearsal. I see ours maybe once or twice a week and never for the entire 3 hours of rehearsal. They should be out pimping your show! Getting buts in seats, helping in other ways. Getting on teh radio or public access. Hanging posters, finding a sponsor, something. They stop by occasionally to talk with the director to report and to find out what else can be done.
	IP Logged

sonshine Lead Joined: 3/23/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 33	Posted: 8/22/08 at 1:19pm
	That is exactly what I explained to everyone. They seem to think I should be at every rehearsal. They seem not to understand the roles of people in theater. I wonder is there a manual I could send them to and have them read?
	IP Logged

ClintonHammond Player Joined: 7/28/08 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 28	Posted: 8/22/08 at 1:27pm
	Seems to me that just about every theatre ends up writing their own manual, to suit their own individual cases... But if you find one, please, do share! Sounds to me like you have a raging epidemic of something that's very common in community theatre... "But-you-did-it-all-for-us-before-why-won't-you-keep-doing-it-now"itus... Some people, no matter how much you try to teach them to stand on their own two feet, would still rather hang off your back instead.
	Without actors, a techie is a person with a list of marketable skills. Without techies, an actor is just a goof, emoting alone in the dark.
	IP Logged

sonshine Lead Joined: 3/23/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 33	Posted: 8/22/08 at 2:25pm
	It is really hard to take too. I am trying to do more to raise funds so that we can apply for a 501c3 ( I know I should have done this first but I thought it is best to go on withourt a board and 501c3 and get volunteers. I was so wrong for me to do. I don't think I deserved to be yelled at for a mistake that I admitted I made. But you are so right.
	IP Logged

ClintonHammond Player Joined: 7/28/08 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 28	Posted: 8/22/08 at 2:45pm
	No one really deserves to be yelled at, for the most part... But in any group, there are going to be those who mostly only bellyache about how things are done, and those few who are actually doing the work. And the poeple who bellyache will bellyache no matter what you do. Nowhere is that more evidence than in community theatre. How to deal with it? I find it's best to shut them out of your mind, and get on with doing what you choose to do, and let them go pound sand. You'll never win them over (Often they're not worth winning over), and you'll never change their minds... It's pointless to even try. Your emotions are your own, and they cannot touch them (unless you allow them to) Be the ducks-back that the water of their unfounded criticism runs off of. And well, the best response to ever critic is "Well, if you don't like how I'm doing this, you're more than welcome to do it your damn self!" Then tend to scatter like frightened geese after that, leaving you to get on with the work at hand.
	Without actors, a techie is a person with a list of marketable skills. Without techies, an actor is just a goof, emoting alone in the dark.
	IP Logged

sonshine Lead Joined: 3/23/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 33	Posted: 8/22/08 at 3:49pm
	Thanks foir your comments, I really need them. I was so ready to throw in the towel because these negative people were the only ones who volunteered. It sounds like you are saying that I need to concentrate on being a producer, fundraising and getting new volunteers and starting over again.
	IP Logged

ClintonHammond Player Joined: 7/28/08 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 28	Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:16pm
	Umm... that was not really what I was saying Sonshine... well, not directly anyway... I guess the gist of my advice (Ha! My advice and $1.50 will get you a small cup of really lousy coffee) was to concentrate on doing the things that you enjoy doing, and "Illegitimati Non Carborundum" (Bad Latin for "Don't let the bastards grind you down") "negative people were the only ones who volunteered" One trick with those kind of people is to give them just enough rope to hang themselves... and then stand back and watch them kick. (Figuratively of course.... I'd NEVER advocate hanging anyone... not me... no... never... honest! LOL ) Getting new volunteers is a process that aught be on-going, never ending... And if you crack a good formula for how to do it, and can bottle it, you'll make millions! :-)
	Without actors, a techie is a person with a list of marketable skills. Without techies, an actor is just a goof, emoting alone in the dark.
	IP Logged

tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:27pm
	I don't understand what part of being a producer would require you to be at every rehearsal. I've never known a producer to attend every rehearsal - what would they DO? Obviously, somebody has to be in charge of a rehearsal in terms of physical building and scheduling...unlocking, locking up, turning on and off lights, tidying up after rehearsal, etc. Usually that is designated for the stage manager, assistant director - or the director. Have you asked these people who want you at every rehearsal what they think your DUTIES should be at these rehearsals?
	IP Logged

sonshine Lead Joined: 3/23/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 33	Posted: 8/22/08 at 4:31pm
	Oh, thanks for the further explaination and encouragement.
	IP Logged

Topic: HELP( Topic Closed)
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