Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Cell Phone Bucket

Message

   I have been asked to stage manage High School Musical 2 and I was speaking to another stage manager.....

"Ugh...teenagers with cell phones...a losing battle!"

"Want to use my cell phone bucket?"

"Your what?"

"My cell phone bucket.  I bought a bucket that the kids put their cell phones in at the beginning of rehearsal and they collect them at the end of rehearsal"

Okay, I am intrigued.  Does anyone else do something like this?  It really is annoying when you are giving line notes or calling places and you are ignored by a texting actor!

Would you use a cell phone bucket?

Author	Message
JaneGwen Walk-On Joined: 1/08/07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Cell Phone Bucket Posted: 1/29/09 at 4:03pm
	I have been asked to stage manage High School Musical 2 and I was speaking to another stage manager..... "Ugh...teenagers with cell phones...a losing battle!" "Want to use my cell phone bucket?" "Your what?" "My cell phone bucket. I bought a bucket that the kids put their cell phones in at the beginning of rehearsal and they collect them at the end of rehearsal" Okay, I am intrigued. Does anyone else do something like this? It really is annoying when you are giving line notes or calling places and you are ignored by a texting actor! Would you use a cell phone bucket?

	IP Logged

imamember Celebrity Joined: 8/18/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 121	Posted: 1/29/09 at 10:25pm
	Hey, we're doing HSM2 this summer. Cell phone bucket sounds like a great idea
	IP Logged

tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 1/29/09 at 10:34pm
	If my students' cell phones go off, they must leave the rehearsal for the day. If they miss two rehearsals, they're out of the number being rehearsed. It doesn't take long for them to get the idea that turning off those phones is a REAL good idea.
	IP Logged

Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 1/30/09 at 7:03am
	I direct a CT that is all children and make the actors and their parents sign a "code of conduct" prior to beginning rehearsals. It states right in there that there will be no texting, phoning, ipoding, etc during rehearsals. Because it's stated directly from the start, I've never had a problem with it.
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

75director Celebrity Joined: 8/19/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 122	Posted: 1/30/09 at 11:38am
	HA! How about one for audience members too!?
	IP Logged

Theatrestation Star Joined: 11/10/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 1/30/09 at 5:14pm
	Yes. Several shows ago I got a little box and labeled it "Cell Phone Condo, Where Your Cell Phone Lives During Rehearsal." The kids loved it and it became a nightly ritual that the first kids in the door would ask if they could get "The Condo" and pass it around. These kids were slightly younger 8 - 14, but a smart group.
	http://www.castbuilding.com http://www.theatrestation.com
	IP Logged

Nyria Celebrity Joined: 1/20/05 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 157	Posted: 2/01/09 at 4:44pm
	This does sound like a good idea. However, I think it takes away from the actors learning self discipline and professionalism -- My actors can have their phones on them but if they use them during the rehearsal (or notes) then I will point out whow they are being disespectful to me and to the other actors. It only happens once or twice and then no one ever does it again.
	NYRIA
	IP Logged

mcplayers Walk-On Joined: 3/21/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 3/21/09 at 1:22pm
	We sure have a cell phone bucket! Bye, Bye, Birdie and 30 teens....gota have it!!!! It really helped life at rehearsal.
	IP Logged

gelcat Celebrity Joined: 6/12/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 6/29/09 at 4:48pm
	Adults with cell phones- We just did "big", and everyone had cell phones. We actually had an actor and the sound guy texting during a number! (and they have both been directors! sheesh!)
	www.actorsguildonline.org Actors Guild of Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV
	IP Logged

TonyDi Celebrity Joined: 9/13/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 325	Posted: 6/30/09 at 8:36am
	Cast or crew with cell phones? NOPE!! We offer to kick them out of the show unless they lose the phones. Audience with cell phones? We just shoot 'em and carry the bodies out at intermission. Everyone else gets the idea. Seriously though, announcement is made top of show, it's in program and signage as they enter. MORE often than not, someone whose cell phone goes off is embarassed to death by the rest of the audience who let them know it's not kosher to do that. We HAVE had our more seasoned actors from time to time, get pissed off, stop the dang show and turn to the offending patron to tell them that whenever they're done with the conversation, they'd proceed with the show. THAT too is not encouraged but sometimes you know, the rest of the audience is GLAD and totally with you when you do that and the offender is made a fool of. And if they get mad and never come back to another show, well you know, we sure don't miss them either. And sometimes you just gotta tell 'em off. Hasn't hurt our bottom line ever. And you know what, we don't need that type anyway. I mean technology is one thing, embracing it is fine. Just not to the point that you think you're so danged important that you disrupt the efforts of others to enjoy something without those interruptions. Off the box, Tony. TonyDi
	"Almost famous"
	IP Logged

Other Topics
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Other Topics

Topic: Cell Phone Bucket( Topic Closed)
	Page of 2 Next >>