Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Etiquette!!!

Author

Message

imamember
Celebrity

Joined: 8/18/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 121

Topic: Etiquette!!!
Posted: 11/20/08 at 2:25pm

So it seems that we've dropped the ball somewhere along the way. Indeed it seems that fewer and fewer people understand how you're supposed to act during auditions and rehearsals and backstage and I could go on and on. It also seems that the few people left that understand how it's supposed to work aren't bothering to correct others anymore.

I want to change that with our group. We've got a brand new website (courtesy of me) and I want to add a section that has "newbie" guides and hope that the veterans will stumble onto them as well.

Here are subjects I'd like to tackle:

How to audition
How to behave at an audition
How to behave during rehearsal
Hell week, and the art of being helpful
Backstage and when you shouldn't be there

Does anyone have anything like this currently? I'd rather take existing lists and articles and tweak it to suit our group than to have to crank out something from the group up. Plus I'm a terrible writer.

IP Logged

MartyW
Celebrity

Joined: 2/02/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 555

Posted: 11/20/08 at 2:40pm

We dont have a web page/booklet on these things (though this site use to have some good informational guides, and probably still do, but I haven't been there recently) However, what we do have is a continueing education program where one of our more seasoned people put on a workshop once a month on a saturday. They could include technicals like lights, sound, set, painting, costuems, makeup. But they also include directing, auditioning, improv, acting, tap...

Kind of funny story. We had one on auditioning a couple of months ago. It was advertised and fairly well attended by new and old faces alike. The facilitaor is one of our most respected directors and sevreal other directors present were invited to chime in as it went. We talked about all the things that one should and should not do at auditions. We explained how people were auditioning even when they were not on stage. How courtious they were while others were reading, if they started texting or worse yet talking on cell phones while others were working.. Those are only a few examples, but the list was quite extensive. Some of our members must have been paying attention, while others should have made the time to come to the workshop. One person who auditioned for my show the next week (not a workshop attendee) was sure the part was thiers for the taking. It wasn't. The folks who attended all came to me after the cast list was out and listed all the things the auditioner had done wrong. And it was almost ALL the things on the list...

Ah well.. I Agree with you on the need for refresher/training on the less technical aspects of being a good theater citizen.. Good luck

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

IP Logged

KEB54
Celebrity

Joined: 7/24/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 227

Posted: 11/20/08 at 5:41pm

I don't have an answer for you, but I'm interested in the responses you get.

The area I'm in is fortunate in that we have two unviversities close by with theatre programs. Furthermore there are two more universities within 30 miles that also have programs. I think that helps us tremendously.

We haven't had a problem at the CT level. However, my wife directs the HS plays for our small community (a bedroom community of the larger area). She doesn't have problem per se`, but neither did the kids really know how to audition. So, she just recently held an audition workshop, which was VERY well attended.

Her kids learned a lot and are very pumped up. She was able to bring a couple of the college kids in from one of the Universities and they did their "professional" audition. She also brought in her in her choreographer to educate them on what she will be looking for, etc.

My wife, her choreographer and music director covered the whole gamut from cold readings to prepared monolouges, to vocal auditions, to proper dress, to how to wear your hair, to etiquette. They also made it fun for the kids.

It was very good.

It is also good that they get that exposure at that age. I know it will help when they audition for the CT.

KEB

IP Logged

dexter74656
Lead
Lead

Joined: 12/29/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 36

Posted: 11/23/08 at 12:28pm

I'd be interested in the results you get as well...

Maybe it'd be worthwhile to make it a forum project... using all of our collective knowledge to create these lists & guidelines for use by everybody

IP Logged

GracieGarland
Player
Player

Joined: 11/13/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 23

Posted: 11/23/08 at 2:11pm

That would be of great interest to me as well--guidelines of Etiquette.

Thanks,
Gracie

IP Logged

MartyW
Celebrity

Joined: 2/02/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 555

Posted: 11/23/08 at 2:37pm

I'm sure that will be interesting for all

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

IP Logged

Mike Polo
Admin Group

Community Theater Green Room

Joined: 2/01/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 286

Posted: 11/24/08 at 10:30am

I will be happy to compile and edit such a work if y'all want to contribute articles or ideas.

Mike Polo
Community Theater Green Room
http://www.communitytheater.org

IP Logged

imamember
Celebrity

Joined: 8/18/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 121

Posted: 11/25/08 at 6:39am

Okay. I'm gonna start with just how to properly audition.

Find out if a monologue is required or not ahead of time. If it is...find one and MEMORIZE it!

Be on time. Remember, ten minutes early is on time, on time is late and 10 minutes late is unacceptable!

Wear something comfortable, but not crazy looking. Go for solid colors for a shirt. Nothing distracting.

Be patient until your name is called. Remember you're still being looked at while you're waiting. If you're acting unprofessional just waiting for your turn, that's not going to bode well for you.

(Musical) When your name is called walk to the rehearsal pianist, hand them your music and give them any notes, walk back to the center and state your name, name of the song and where it's from. If you were taught a proper way to stand in vocal lessons, be sure to do it. Remember it's a vocal audition, not an acting or dance audition. Stand in such a way that your voice is the best it can be. Any unnecessary dancing or movement could throw you off. There will be time to do a monologue, read from sides or dance later in the audition. When you are done, thank them for their time and walk back to where you're supposed to be.

Bring a pencil!

(Cold reading) When given sides to read, ask them for a moment to glance over your lines so you can be slightly familiar with them. This way you've got time to come up with some business, get clarification on a word or phrase and will end up looking just that much better.

OK, that's a start. Everyone else add in what I'm sure I missed this morning.

IP Logged

KEB54
Celebrity

Joined: 7/24/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 227

Posted: 11/25/08 at 11:54am

Hair pulled back off the face.

Minimal or no jewelry, especially no nose studs (and don't even consider tongue studs). Women, one pair of very simple, unobtrusive ear rings. Men, nothing.

Usually, no low cut neck lines.

Make sure you cell phone is off the entire time you are there! No texting while you're waiting.

Keep your head in the game. You're there to audition. Nothing else.

No food. No gum. You can have a bottle of WATER but be selective when you take a sip.

Do nothing to draw attention yourself when you're not on stage.

Listen. Don't talk.

KEB

IP Logged

mark_j
Lead
Lead

Joined: 11/28/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 31

Posted: 11/25/08 at 2:53pm

Note To Parents: Do NOT give your children an energy drink then drop them off at the theater.

No flip-flops.

No food that will stain your costumes.

Don't be afraid to experiment with your character but listen when the director tells you to tone it down.

No tirades on stage. (I was working sound during tech week one time when a stressed out actor blew up accusing my late sound cue of ruining his whole performance. He was standing under a live microphone and everyone in the building got to hear what a bad person I was.)

If the SM tells you to work a set shift, don't hide in the green room and hope nobody notices.

No PDAs, conversely just because you're married to someone doesn't mean you can belittle them in front of everybody.

No whining!

Those are a few pet peeves from recent shows,

Thanks, I feel better to get them off my chest.

IP Logged

Running Your Theater
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Theater Administration :Running Your Theater

Author	Message
imamember Celebrity Joined: 8/18/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 121	Topic: Etiquette!!! Posted: 11/20/08 at 2:25pm
	So it seems that we've dropped the ball somewhere along the way. Indeed it seems that fewer and fewer people understand how you're supposed to act during auditions and rehearsals and backstage and I could go on and on. It also seems that the few people left that understand how it's supposed to work aren't bothering to correct others anymore. I want to change that with our group. We've got a brand new website (courtesy of me) and I want to add a section that has "newbie" guides and hope that the veterans will stumble onto them as well. Here are subjects I'd like to tackle: How to audition How to behave at an audition How to behave during rehearsal Hell week, and the art of being helpful Backstage and when you shouldn't be there Does anyone have anything like this currently? I'd rather take existing lists and articles and tweak it to suit our group than to have to crank out something from the group up. Plus I'm a terrible writer.

	IP Logged

MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 11/20/08 at 2:40pm
	We dont have a web page/booklet on these things (though this site use to have some good informational guides, and probably still do, but I haven't been there recently) However, what we do have is a continueing education program where one of our more seasoned people put on a workshop once a month on a saturday. They could include technicals like lights, sound, set, painting, costuems, makeup. But they also include directing, auditioning, improv, acting, tap... Kind of funny story. We had one on auditioning a couple of months ago. It was advertised and fairly well attended by new and old faces alike. The facilitaor is one of our most respected directors and sevreal other directors present were invited to chime in as it went. We talked about all the things that one should and should not do at auditions. We explained how people were auditioning even when they were not on stage. How courtious they were while others were reading, if they started texting or worse yet talking on cell phones while others were working.. Those are only a few examples, but the list was quite extensive. Some of our members must have been paying attention, while others should have made the time to come to the workshop. One person who auditioned for my show the next week (not a workshop attendee) was sure the part was thiers for the taking. It wasn't. The folks who attended all came to me after the cast list was out and listed all the things the auditioner had done wrong. And it was almost ALL the things on the list... Ah well.. I Agree with you on the need for refresher/training on the less technical aspects of being a good theater citizen.. Good luck
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
	IP Logged

KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 11/20/08 at 5:41pm
	I don't have an answer for you, but I'm interested in the responses you get. The area I'm in is fortunate in that we have two unviversities close by with theatre programs. Furthermore there are two more universities within 30 miles that also have programs. I think that helps us tremendously. We haven't had a problem at the CT level. However, my wife directs the HS plays for our small community (a bedroom community of the larger area). She doesn't have problem per se`, but neither did the kids really know how to audition. So, she just recently held an audition workshop, which was VERY well attended. Her kids learned a lot and are very pumped up. She was able to bring a couple of the college kids in from one of the Universities and they did their "professional" audition. She also brought in her in her choreographer to educate them on what she will be looking for, etc. My wife, her choreographer and music director covered the whole gamut from cold readings to prepared monolouges, to vocal auditions, to proper dress, to how to wear your hair, to etiquette. They also made it fun for the kids. It was very good. It is also good that they get that exposure at that age. I know it will help when they audition for the CT.
	KEB
	IP Logged

dexter74656 Lead Joined: 12/29/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Posted: 11/23/08 at 12:28pm
	I'd be interested in the results you get as well... Maybe it'd be worthwhile to make it a forum project... using all of our collective knowledge to create these lists & guidelines for use by everybody
	IP Logged

GracieGarland Player Joined: 11/13/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Posted: 11/23/08 at 2:11pm
	That would be of great interest to me as well--guidelines of Etiquette. Thanks, Gracie
	IP Logged

MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 11/23/08 at 2:37pm
	I'm sure that will be interesting for all
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
	IP Logged

Mike Polo Admin Group Community Theater Green Room Joined: 2/01/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 286	Posted: 11/24/08 at 10:30am
	I will be happy to compile and edit such a work if y'all want to contribute articles or ideas.
	Mike Polo Community Theater Green Room http://www.communitytheater.org
	IP Logged

imamember Celebrity Joined: 8/18/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 121	Posted: 11/25/08 at 6:39am
	Okay. I'm gonna start with just how to properly audition. Find out if a monologue is required or not ahead of time. If it is...find one and MEMORIZE it! Be on time. Remember, ten minutes early is on time, on time is late and 10 minutes late is unacceptable! Wear something comfortable, but not crazy looking. Go for solid colors for a shirt. Nothing distracting. Be patient until your name is called. Remember you're still being looked at while you're waiting. If you're acting unprofessional just waiting for your turn, that's not going to bode well for you. (Musical) When your name is called walk to the rehearsal pianist, hand them your music and give them any notes, walk back to the center and state your name, name of the song and where it's from. If you were taught a proper way to stand in vocal lessons, be sure to do it. Remember it's a vocal audition, not an acting or dance audition. Stand in such a way that your voice is the best it can be. Any unnecessary dancing or movement could throw you off. There will be time to do a monologue, read from sides or dance later in the audition. When you are done, thank them for their time and walk back to where you're supposed to be. Bring a pencil! (Cold reading) When given sides to read, ask them for a moment to glance over your lines so you can be slightly familiar with them. This way you've got time to come up with some business, get clarification on a word or phrase and will end up looking just that much better. OK, that's a start. Everyone else add in what I'm sure I missed this morning.
	IP Logged

KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 11/25/08 at 11:54am
	Hair pulled back off the face. Minimal or no jewelry, especially no nose studs (and don't even consider tongue studs). Women, one pair of very simple, unobtrusive ear rings. Men, nothing. Usually, no low cut neck lines. Make sure you cell phone is off the entire time you are there! No texting while you're waiting. Keep your head in the game. You're there to audition. Nothing else. No food. No gum. You can have a bottle of WATER but be selective when you take a sip. Do nothing to draw attention yourself when you're not on stage. Listen. Don't talk.
	KEB
	IP Logged

mark_j Lead Joined: 11/28/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Posted: 11/25/08 at 2:53pm
	Note To Parents: Do NOT give your children an energy drink then drop them off at the theater. No flip-flops. No food that will stain your costumes. Don't be afraid to experiment with your character but listen when the director tells you to tone it down. No tirades on stage. (I was working sound during tech week one time when a stressed out actor blew up accusing my late sound cue of ruining his whole performance. He was standing under a live microphone and everyone in the building got to hear what a bad person I was.) If the SM tells you to work a set shift, don't hide in the green room and hope nobody notices. No PDAs, conversely just because you're married to someone doesn't mean you can belittle them in front of everybody. No whining! Those are a few pet peeves from recent shows, Thanks, I feel better to get them off my chest. mj
	IP Logged

Topic: Etiquette!!!( Topic Closed)
	Page of 4 Next >>