Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Negative attitude is an understatement

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MartyW
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Posted: 3/03/09 at 11:31am

Lots of good stuff here.. I would take some of each.. I would; study. also, I would let the board and other directors know (over time.) I would (if you feel up to it) follow Scotts suggestion, but formost and regardless of the answers.. NEVER CAST HER AGAIN.. (again, IMHO)

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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Kathy S
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Posted: 3/03/09 at 7:41pm

You wonder why these things happen... It seems that there is just a percentage of people out there that can't be happy and are very adept at finding things to criticize. My husband used to say that it's the old "80/20 rule -- 80% of the problems are caused by 20% of the people".

I think sometimes that the community theatre culture has a way of kind of leaving the door wide open for "wack jobs" to walk in. (I mean that in the kindest possible way.) It's such an inclusive group that welcomes all volunteers and so when a nutcase walks in the door we open our arms wide and welcome them just as if they were normal folks. Then you find out they aren't! But you try to make allowances for everybody's differences. Then push comes to shove and you worry that they will cause the ultimate distruction of the organization, or at least give it a bad reputation by spreading rumors about how badly they've been treated, or whatever they claim their problem is, and gossiping. Nothing you can do about it except continue to produce the best work you can, treat all people the best you can, and when the show's over DON'T HAVE ONE MORE THING TO DO WITH HER!

I guess you just have to shake the dust off your feet and keep going.

We're all with ya!

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chelserin
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Joined: 3/02/08
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Posted: 3/03/09 at 9:18pm

Still no word from her. I've left several messages asking to talk things over for the good of the show... our next show is thursday. Now my question is if I haven't heard from her by tonight do I assume she's a no show and rally the cast? I need one rehearsal with the cast before doing a show.

And the Board does know about this. I'm on the board and I forwarded her email to our president (who's also part of the production team) as soon as I got it.

Thanks for you support.

To be in the world, and of the world, and never to stand aside and watch.

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Lubbtheatre
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Posts: 4

Posted: 3/03/09 at 9:23pm

She is a legend in her own mind. What part of community theatre does she not get? Don't let the negative attitude of one person take away from the wonderful experience that the rest of the cast has had doing this show. Treat her like everyone else and if you can replace her you might go to her and say" It seems that you are so unhappy and I don't want to make you more miserable so if you would like I can replace you for the rest of the run. If you choose to stay I will expect the same of you as everyone and if I don't get it it will not be your choice to stay"

"We never make change until the hassle becomes too great"

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janetk
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Joined: 11/15/07
Location: United States
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Posted: 3/04/09 at 9:42am

I think it seems if we all have dealt with someone like that. I agree that talking with her in person is best, but if she is not responding then you have to do what you have to do. I would make sure that your directors in your organization also know what's going on...as a word to the wise. Good luck

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B-M-D
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Joined: 11/03/05
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Posted: 3/06/09 at 11:26am

Fire her ass and play the role yourself. Absolutely no one is irreplacable. It'll send a loud and clear message to not only her but to everyone in your CT world and will earn you enourmous respect.

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard."

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chelserin
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Joined: 3/02/08
Location: United States
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Posted: 3/06/09 at 11:58am

Well she showed up to the show yesterday. I decided that if I have to deal with her for 4 more days I was going to kill her with kindness. And during our before show gathering (of which she hides in the dressing room) I made sure to tell the rest of the cast, many times, how wonderful they are and talented and I appreciate them... and several of them said in return, "You're so good about praising us, but do we tell you enough how great you've been." Since she was right behind the curtain I hope she heard that..;p And as far as I know there was no venom being spread durring the show.

It would have been very satisfying to just tell her to take a hike, but probably not the best for the show or the rest of the cast. But you can bet that other directors, both at our theatre and the neighboring theatre, who we have a good relationship with, will get the heads up that this one is trouble. And if she is really that concerned about rehearsal schedules, and understudies and having to provide your own makeup she will be sad to find that all the theatres around here are very much the same in that regard.

Thanks for the advice and sympathy, it has helped a lot.

To be in the world, and of the world, and never to stand aside and watch.

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Topic: Negative attitude is an understatement( Topic Closed)
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Author	Message
MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 3/03/09 at 11:31am
	Lots of good stuff here.. I would take some of each.. I would; study. also, I would let the board and other directors know (over time.) I would (if you feel up to it) follow Scotts suggestion, but formost and regardless of the answers.. NEVER CAST HER AGAIN.. (again, IMHO)
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
	IP Logged

Kathy S Celebrity Joined: 8/21/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 303	Posted: 3/03/09 at 7:41pm
	You wonder why these things happen... It seems that there is just a percentage of people out there that can't be happy and are very adept at finding things to criticize. My husband used to say that it's the old "80/20 rule -- 80% of the problems are caused by 20% of the people". I think sometimes that the community theatre culture has a way of kind of leaving the door wide open for "wack jobs" to walk in. (I mean that in the kindest possible way.) It's such an inclusive group that welcomes all volunteers and so when a nutcase walks in the door we open our arms wide and welcome them just as if they were normal folks. Then you find out they aren't! But you try to make allowances for everybody's differences. Then push comes to shove and you worry that they will cause the ultimate distruction of the organization, or at least give it a bad reputation by spreading rumors about how badly they've been treated, or whatever they claim their problem is, and gossiping. Nothing you can do about it except continue to produce the best work you can, treat all people the best you can, and when the show's over DON'T HAVE ONE MORE THING TO DO WITH HER! I guess you just have to shake the dust off your feet and keep going. We're all with ya!
	IP Logged

chelserin Lead Joined: 3/02/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 47	Posted: 3/03/09 at 9:18pm
	Still no word from her. I've left several messages asking to talk things over for the good of the show... our next show is thursday. Now my question is if I haven't heard from her by tonight do I assume she's a no show and rally the cast? I need one rehearsal with the cast before doing a show. And the Board does know about this. I'm on the board and I forwarded her email to our president (who's also part of the production team) as soon as I got it. Thanks for you support.
	To be in the world, and of the world, and never to stand aside and watch.
	IP Logged

Lubbtheatre Walk-On Joined: 3/03/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 3/03/09 at 9:23pm
	She is a legend in her own mind. What part of community theatre does she not get? Don't let the negative attitude of one person take away from the wonderful experience that the rest of the cast has had doing this show. Treat her like everyone else and if you can replace her you might go to her and say" It seems that you are so unhappy and I don't want to make you more miserable so if you would like I can replace you for the rest of the run. If you choose to stay I will expect the same of you as everyone and if I don't get it it will not be your choice to stay"
	"We never make change until the hassle becomes too great"
	IP Logged

janetk Player Joined: 11/15/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Posted: 3/04/09 at 9:42am
	I think it seems if we all have dealt with someone like that. I agree that talking with her in person is best, but if she is not responding then you have to do what you have to do. I would make sure that your directors in your organization also know what's going on...as a word to the wise. Good luck
	IP Logged

B-M-D Celebrity Joined: 11/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 346	Posted: 3/06/09 at 11:26am
	Fire her ass and play the role yourself. Absolutely no one is irreplacable. It'll send a loud and clear message to not only her but to everyone in your CT world and will earn you enourmous respect.
	BD "Dying is easy, comedy is hard."
	IP Logged

chelserin Lead Joined: 3/02/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 47	Posted: 3/06/09 at 11:58am
	Well she showed up to the show yesterday. I decided that if I have to deal with her for 4 more days I was going to kill her with kindness. And during our before show gathering (of which she hides in the dressing room) I made sure to tell the rest of the cast, many times, how wonderful they are and talented and I appreciate them... and several of them said in return, "You're so good about praising us, but do we tell you enough how great you've been." Since she was right behind the curtain I hope she heard that..;p And as far as I know there was no venom being spread durring the show. It would have been very satisfying to just tell her to take a hike, but probably not the best for the show or the rest of the cast. But you can bet that other directors, both at our theatre and the neighboring theatre, who we have a good relationship with, will get the heads up that this one is trouble. And if she is really that concerned about rehearsal schedules, and understudies and having to provide your own makeup she will be sad to find that all the theatres around here are very much the same in that regard. Thanks for the advice and sympathy, it has helped a lot.
	To be in the world, and of the world, and never to stand aside and watch.
	IP Logged