My cast has been off book for 2 weeks (we only rehearse 3 days a week) and I do not want my line shooter giving lines until the actor says "line" but my shooter insists on butting in and telling them what they forgot or giving them a line when they are either thinking or pausing for effect.

I want the actors to get used to getting out of a situation like if a line is dropped. I told him that if an actor forgets a line or doesn't get it just right, to write it down and we can give the actor the info when we break.

Does anyone have a solution to this or am I not being fair to the actors?

You've got to explain the rules to your shooter (first time I've actually heard that terminology).

He/She doesn't give the line until asked by the actor. End of sentence.

Any time the shooter gives a line without the prompt, stop and correct your overzealous assistant. Try to explain to him/her that you appreciate their zeal, but that they're not doing the actors any favors, nor are they helping the show, by jumping in unasked.

If the shooter can't meet your requirements, it's time to find a replacement.

Edited by edh915 - 1/21/13 at 3:22pm

Thank you all for replying to my question. Before we rehearse tomorrow, I will talk with him and give him a strong order---only when the actors ask for a line.

By the way. What do you call the person who gives lines in rehearsal?

Ditto Thudster. It's always been "prompter", but "line shooter" does sound like more fun.

So it's only someone to help during rehearsals? We usually just let the actors work it out. If they're really stuck, someone helps them out (usually another cast member) but we don't have anyone dedicated to it.