Active Topics 
Memberlist 
Calendar 
Search 
Help
Register 
Login |
Active Topics Memberlist Calendar Search Help |
| Register Login |
| Directing | |
 Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing |
 Topic: Canceling a show( Topic Closed) |
  |
| Page of 3 Next >> |
| Author | Message |
|
Nanette
Celebrity 
Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399 |
 Topic: Canceling a showPosted: 9/17/08 at 5:16am |
|
What is the latest you've cancelled a show? Not just a single performance, but an entire run?
We're supposed to open this Friday.
Half the cast doesn't know their lines/cues/what they're doing, the set still isn't finished, some actors don't have costumes yet (they were to provide school clothes ... we did the big stuff), ticket sales are non-existant, etc.
When is it too late to cancel a show?
|
|
|
In a world of margarine, be butter!
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
imamember
Celebrity
Joined: 8/18/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 121 |
Posted: 9/17/08 at 6:22am |
I'd say anytime! |
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
jaytee060
Star 
Joined: 1/18/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 63 |
Posted: 9/17/08 at 9:28am |
|
How could this happen? Who is in charge there? Do you not havd a director and a producer? This whole thing sounds incredible to me ! I suggest you cancel this production immediately and review the structure and practices of your theatre organization......or lack of it. |
|
|
"REMEMBER ME IN LIGHT"
|
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
jayzehr
Celebrity
Joined: 8/11/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 537 |
Posted: 9/17/08 at 10:46am |
|
Wow. I'd say the show must go on and do absolutely everything you can to avoid cancelling at this late date but if things are really as bad as you say maybe you have no choice. Remember, things can look darker than they are at this point.
|
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
jaytee060
Star
Joined: 1/18/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 63 |
Posted: 9/17/08 at 11:20am |
While i do agree with the old adage "the show must go on",....... unless the problems stated are grossly exaggerated this productions dire straits may very well supercede that ancient motto.
If indeed the actors do not know their lines and cues, they have only a partial set and only half the costumes...if they are even struggling with the blocking and most importantly, the ticket sales are "non-existant".......and if you take into consideration that they open on Friday............WELL, that seems to be an awful lot to accomplish in just 2 days. Maybe I'm just a pessimist.
|
|
|
"REMEMBER ME IN LIGHT"
|
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
B-M-D
Celebrity
Joined: 11/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 346 |
Posted: 9/17/08 at 11:39am |
|
Even in my worst of experiences I've never been involved in cancelling the run of a show. Sounds like lots of people didn't care or take responsibility for anything including the actors and the director. Pack it in, this ain't worth it.
|
|
|
BD
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
MartyW
Celebrity
Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555 |
Posted: 9/17/08 at 1:11pm |
|
Ouch... is it really THAT bad? Is there any hope for it? Why are there no ticket sales? Is that normal for you? is it the show/material?
But as for a full out cancelation, is it one of those shows that you say, if we only had another week, or that shows going to be great three weeks after it opens? Is there any room in your season schedule to bump it a little? We had to bump an entire show last year, of course that was to accomodate the restoration/renovation of our flooded out theater, but I know other theaters that have had major problems and put a show off for a week or even up to a month...
|
|
|
Marty W
"Till next we trod the boards.." |
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
Nanette
Celebrity
Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399 |
Posted: 9/18/08 at 8:01am |
|
"If we had another week" is the problem. We had to reschedule the production a week earlier because of conflicts. But, even with another week, I think the kids who don't know their lines still wouldn't know their lines. LOL
I've found costumes for those who were "still working on it" (uh, a little too late to still be "working on it"), and our set is finally in place.
Ticket money has started coming in, too (they wait until it's due before they bring in anything ... kids!). We sell a majority of our tickets at the door, but I count on early sales from the kids to see where we stand.
I've also asked my more experienced kids to cover the missed lines. I have a few newbies in this production and they are simply not disciplined enough to pay attention. If you've ever worked with kids you'll know that if one or two people miss a line, the rest get distracted ... even the ones who know their lines.
I am the person doing well over 90% of the work, so it all falls to me to do it all. There is simply no one else to do it. So, folks, with some creative work on my part, it's coming together a little better. We have another rehearsal tonight (with the set!!!) and we run a speed-through after our dinner break (15 minutes). Even with their scripts in front of them, the ones who don't know their lines completely miss them. YIKES!!! Don't worry, they'll not be cast for a few shows. Somehow it all comes out in the end. We've been rather scattered before; I just feel we're rougher than usual because of the number of kids on stage for this production (17!) ... AND we're in a new venue where things are not only unfamiliar, but usually don't work. (Talk about making a silk purse out of a sow's ear!)
|
|
|
In a world of margarine, be butter!
|
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
MartyW
Celebrity
Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555 |
Posted: 9/18/08 at 8:30am |
|
Oh... now the light comes on.... School show!.. Thought we had a Community Theater Crisis... Here, let me put on my High School Director hat... There...
don't know all there lines, blocking? Missing costumes and set still not done.. You still have till Friday? Your AHEAD of the game..
Good luck, it will all work out.
|
|
|
Marty W
"Till next we trod the boards.." |
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
Nanette
Celebrity
Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399 |
Posted: 9/18/08 at 8:44am |
|
MartyW ... LOL ... but still not quite there .... It IS a CT, but a CT for kids. Thanks for making me feel better, though. The one other person helping me out keeps saying it'll all come together, but I never believe it until the curtain comes down and I see they've actually pulled it off.
I love stress!!! LOL
|
|
|
In a world of margarine, be butter!
|
|
|
IP Logged |
|
| Page of 3 Next >> |
| |
||
Forum Jump |
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
|
