Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Cigarette smoking on stage

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Cigarette smoking on stage

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2340
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 9:29pm
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Topic: Cigarette smoking on stage

Posted By: laurielu
Subject: Cigarette smoking on stage
Date Posted: 4/07/07 at 1:28am

I'm directing a play in which a lot of the characters smoke. Many of the lines referring to "have a smoke?" will be deleted, however there are some instances when I'll need a character to have a cigarette. Smoking is illegal in all public buildings in my state. Holding an unlit cigarette looks really fakey. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

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Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Replies:

Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 4/07/07 at 1:33am

You can purchase fake cigarettes that look fairly real and can even puff out a bit of "smoke" (talcum powder) when a small bit of air is exhaled through it. They are very inexpensive and can be purchased through Theatre House. They have a bit of "ash" on the end and a bit of red shiney paper that glows. You can even fake lighting it with a real lighter.

Posted By: laurielu
Date Posted: 4/07/07 at 12:34pm

Thanks, Kathy. I checked out the Theatre House site...what neat stuff!

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Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Posted By: red diva
Date Posted: 4/07/07 at 1:05pm

Be very careful about changing or deleting lines without permission from the playwright or licensing house. (You're new to this Board, and maybe haven't had a chance to view the LENGTHY and ENERGETIC discussion on this very subject.) It might go unnoticed, but you also might open yourself up to lawsuits, be prohibited from ever doing scripts from that publisher or playwright, or have your show closed down before it has a chance to open. It has happened in the past......big brother really is watching!

(To read the discussion mentioned, I think it can be found under "Changing Profanity". If that's wrong, someone please correct me.)

I know that this is a bit off topic, but felt that it was relevant to your question and important for you to know.

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"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"

Posted By: laurielu
Date Posted: 4/08/07 at 1:27am

Yes, Red Diva, I've read the rather lengthy discussions on deleting/changing lines. It's going to happen, whether we like it or not....maybe the actor just forgot the line? But, back on topic, I appreciate your answer to my question and will use the 'fake' cigarettes mentioned by Kathy S.

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Nothing changes if nothing changes.