Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Problem with senior actors who are married.

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   I just finished a production with two senior actors (70+) that have been married. The show had 8 people in a comedy with slapstick.
My first problem was blackmail. The senior male part was auditioned by one that came to several auditions. The senior female part had 11. I chose the senior man and another senior lady. (based on reading, looks, humor, etc.) When the senior man was informed, he informed me that he would quit if his wife was not cast. (she was a board member as well). Based on the timeline, and a completely paid performance, I could not delay. ( I should have recast). But accepted.

Second problem: The husband and wife are orators. Say a line, move, then stand a pose. repeat. over and over. All the other actors worked with improvisational moving and reactions. These two complained that their lines were covered, their audience could not see them. They slapstick did not work for them and refused to do it.  ( I should have recast).

Third problem: They would come into rehersal and want to change lines, because they did not like them. when told no... they did anyway. ( I should have recast).

Fourth problem: They continued to change blocking behind my back. When I commented to the actor who was changed during notes, I finally found out that these two were changing things to what they wanted so they could be not upstaged. ( I should have recast).

Fifth problem: These same two could not remember their lines on reviewer night or stayed in character. (like it was deliberate). Unfortunately, the reviewer likes and knows them personally and only commented how great they were and no one else. (including the audience cheering showstopping performance of a single young actor who got the loudest and longest appaluse during his performance and at bows.)

Sixth problem: Hateful emails were sent to actors, boardmembers etc, from these two seperately (and not in sync. sometimes with conflicting info) complaining about how the show sucked, bad acting by others, me, other board members... (hanging head low)....

How does a commuity theater, who are all volunteers, handle people like this? I obviously did not do well. 

Any words of wisdom would be helpful. 

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RobD Walk-On Joined: 6/03/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Problem with senior actors who are married. Posted: 6/03/10 at 2:06pm
	I just finished a production with two senior actors (70+) that have been married. The show had 8 people in a comedy with slapstick. My first problem was blackmail. The senior male part was auditioned by one that came to several auditions. The senior female part had 11. I chose the senior man and another senior lady. (based on reading, looks, humor, etc.) When the senior man was informed, he informed me that he would quit if his wife was not cast. (she was a board member as well). Based on the timeline, and a completely paid performance, I could not delay. ( I should have recast). But accepted. Second problem: The husband and wife are orators. Say a line, move, then stand a pose. repeat. over and over. All the other actors worked with improvisational moving and reactions. These two complained that their lines were covered, their audience could not see them. They slapstick did not work for them and refused to do it. ( I should have recast). Third problem: They would come into rehersal and want to change lines, because they did not like them. when told no... they did anyway. ( I should have recast). Fourth problem: They continued to change blocking behind my back. When I commented to the actor who was changed during notes, I finally found out that these two were changing things to what they wanted so they could be not upstaged. ( I should have recast). Fifth problem: These same two could not remember their lines on reviewer night or stayed in character. (like it was deliberate). Unfortunately, the reviewer likes and knows them personally and only commented how great they were and no one else. (including the audience cheering showstopping performance of a single young actor who got the loudest and longest appaluse during his performance and at bows.) Sixth problem: Hateful emails were sent to actors, boardmembers etc, from these two seperately (and not in sync. sometimes with conflicting info) complaining about how the show sucked, bad acting by others, me, other board members... (hanging head low).... How does a commuity theater, who are all volunteers, handle people like this? I obviously did not do well. Any words of wisdom would be helpful.

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pdavis69 Celebrity Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437	Posted: 6/04/10 at 8:08am
	Number One: If you direct again, don't cast these two;separate or together. Number Two: Discuss the situation openly in the next board meeting. The worst that can happen is they blame you and you don't direct there again.
	Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse
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RobD Walk-On Joined: 6/03/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 6/04/10 at 10:35am
	Patrick, Thanks. The board meeting is Sat. and I am attending. Well, interesting enough, the lady resigned from the board the other day. (with a scathing email). Thanks for your input. This will be discussed Sat. Rob
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Rudy T Walk-On Joined: 6/05/10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 6/05/10 at 8:01pm
	Gee, is this the same couple who have many years of successful acting experience, receiving accolades and rave reviews all along the way? Is it the same couple who put everything they have into every role they play and have been recruited by some of the best professional directors in a couple of states? Could it be the same lady who spent hours on end doing whatever it took to make sure every production had sponsors and venues to perform them? Possibly the same actors who offer suggestions to directors, most of whom are receptive and appreciative of their input based on their years of experience, when they recognize the need? Most directors would welcome performers like them. Where's the problem?
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JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 6/05/10 at 10:06pm
	Highly possible Rudy! They can be found in every ameatre through out the world & every community therein. Each one of them worth more than thier salt, but only generaly valued & recognised at the time of thier last or latest endeavours. Sucess in playing in this game is based more upon attitude, which is only reinforced or tempered with experiance & emperical skills. I have realised over the years to be aware of the signals when it's time to pull my head in. Thus allowing them the value of learning by making all the blues or cockups, but more importantly to work thu & get on with it. This is probably why these life time achievement awards & gongs were devised. As a nicer way to say Thanks - but now is the time to rackoff 'n evaporate! Edited by JoeMc - 6/05/10 at 10:08pm
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
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RobD Walk-On Joined: 6/03/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 6/05/10 at 11:17pm
	Rudy, I thank for your wonderfully articualte post. I doubt we are talking about the same individuals.Now that I think about it, we see people like this in other community theaters, pawn shops, and train stations all the time. But then, I was asking for help, you appear not to have any.
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Rudy T Walk-On Joined: 6/05/10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 6/06/10 at 5:21pm
	Rob, sorry you missed the point of my post. With years of successful theater experience under their belts and apparently only 1 director having a problem with them, the solution to the problem should be obvious. Perhaps you need to re-read the post and proceed from there. Glad I could offer you some help. Edited by Rudy T - 6/06/10 at 5:22pm
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Spectrum Celebrity Joined: 4/16/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 176	Posted: 6/06/10 at 7:07pm
	Rudy T: WHY would you say only one director had a problem with this couple, and no one else? If they did the things RobD said, and sometimes all that "experience" (pronounced EGO) can get you to that point, I would think a whole lot of people (cast included) would have a problem with this couple.
	Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
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tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 6/06/10 at 7:13pm
	If an actor is incapable/unwilling to follow direction, and backstage-directs and re-blocks scenes, all the "experience" in the world isn't worth the trouble. Even if these people did - or still do - amazing other things, there are times when it's just time to step aside for the next generation. I think every community theatre has one or two of those hanger-ons, refusing to give up their little platform of local celebrity and power.
	http://tristanrobin.blogspot.com
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RobD Walk-On Joined: 6/03/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 6/06/10 at 10:32pm
	Interesting discussion, RudyT. I did not miss the point. I got exactly what you meant. At the board meeting yesterday, the discussion included how many times the couple has caused problems for various directors. You are incorrect. There is also actual documentation of their behavior and feelings toward the board, directors, and other actors. Sadly, this same couple was asked to leave another theater company due to similar problems in the same metro area. So Ir... I mean Rudy, please be open and honest. Your bias is showing.
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