We are a small cc in a town of 7,000. It is very much a everybody pitches in type theatre where actors help with set building and you bring your own makeup. But, if I may say, we put on some pretty terrific shows. So, on with my problem. This may be a long one.

The show currently in production is my first directing experience and everything went very smoothly and we now have a great show. Or so I thought.

There is one member of the cast who had just moved to the area from a major US city, where she did theatre. She's made little comments throughout the rehearsal process about how we did things differently, like not supplying makeup and nylons for the actors, and how short our rehearsal period is (5 weeks). But all in all I thought she had been enjoying her experience. Until yesterday.

I recieved an extremely nasty email from her, saying she would never work in our theatre again, and we didn't appreciate her talent and how she even did us a favor by accepting her role. She then went on to say that the note I had given her was not appreciated (I had asked to her to say a line a little louder) and I was being to picky. Needless to say I was taken aback. I then found out that at the show the day before she had been 'venting' these feelings to other cast members, which upset them and caused them to flub a couple lines on stage. Now she can say what she wants about me or the theatre, but I do not want her to spead her negativity around the rest of the cast and make them feel uncomfortable for this last weekend of shows coming up.

I replied to her yesterday, being very diplomatic, and have not gotten a response back. And now am dreading calling her to make sure she is still going through with the final shows and to make sure she isn't harrassing the other cast members and making the last run of shows intolerable for everyone. Part of me wants to say, just don't show up, I'll play the role, but I know that probably isn't the most practical response.

I guess I don't really have a question in here, just needed to get this off my chest and see what others have done in similar solutions. This just completely surprised me. And I guess especially since she has so much experience I was expecting someone who knew how to take directions and notes without taking it personally, and who knew what it took to get a production up and running. But I guess in her other theatre they just did everything for her and told her for fabulous she was. Which, by the way, I do tell the cast every night what a great job they are doing and how much I enjoy the characters they've created, but she has decided not to join the cast for pre-show meetings, so I guess she hasn't heard me say those things.

I'm currently a malcontent with the show I'm in. I do think there are legit issues though.

Our director is a first timer, but he's been in over 40 shows.

Our director...

Changes lines
Adds lines
Adds small scenes
Gives line reads
Gives notes as he seems them causing us to take 2 hours to get through 10 pages because of all the stopping.
Doesn't block (just use your natural movement)
Says if he ever directs again he only wants to work with the actors and not have to deal with anything else like how the set looks, how the lights look etc etc etc....

He doesn't want to direct, he wants to be an acting coach it seems and he sucks at that as well.

I think I'm so disappointed because I thought he'd be really great due to the amount of shows he's been in and just general experience level.

As to the OPs issue, it sounds like your diva's issues are especially petty although your rehearsal period does seem small...of course if she's god's gift to theatre she should be awesome enough to be ready in 5 weeks no?

Make an example of her and boot her.

Thanks.. Since she hasn't replied to my messages, I AM reviewing the script. Luckily I've been over it and seen it enough times that I practically know all the lines already. Just in case.

Good luck. You may wish to make the board of directors aware of her divisive actions (if they do not know), so that this will be taken into consideration for future casting.

You have my sincerest sympathy and empathy.