Directing: Romantic entanglements, management thereof

Romantic entanglements, management thereof

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2373
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 2:19pm
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Topic: Romantic entanglements, management thereof

Posted By: bigmovesbabe
Subject: Romantic entanglements, management thereof
Date Posted: 4/25/07 at 4:37pm

The scene:

One person already with my company for a while, great performer, bit of a diva. Also my de facto rehearsal assistant.

Her partner, also quite skilled, is moving to the area and wants to be in the troupe as well.

I am concerned that if her partner joins the troupe, I will lose control of rehearsal time AND that there may be some ganging up. I am working with a sufficiently niche population, in terms of recruiting performers and crew members, that I can't just say, screw it, I'll get someone new. Plus I like my RA.

What do you all do with your crew/cast relationships? Suggestions?

MWA

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Big Moves: Because Every Body Can Dance

Replies:

Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 4/26/07 at 1:31am

We have many married and might as well be married couples involved in our group and it doesn't seem to cause problems but it will depend on the type of people involved. However if your worried that the group will allow your authority to be thwarted so easily perhaps there is a problem with the group.

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"If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights."

Posted By: DramaTrauma
Date Posted: 4/26/07 at 12:04pm

Relationships between cast/crew members are fairly common. I met my girlfriend during a show, and we are currently cast together again. I can imagine how this could be a challenge for directors. I confess, a few times I've caught myself letting my closeness and allegiance to her interfere with the steady flow of the rehearsal. It happens, and sometimes you have to deal with it if the performers aren't aware of what's happening (which they may not be). But dont underestimate the maturity of the couple and their ability to conduct themselves in a professional manner. My advice would be to treat them as individuals and not as a single entity working against you. There's no reason they shouldn't return the respect you're showing them.

Posted By: Shatcher
Date Posted: 4/26/07 at 1:57pm

Hubby and I do not do shows at the same time because our kids a small and they need one of us home. We did meet while doing a show and worked together a lot in the past. When I SM I (he is an actor) I treat him the same as everyone else. Never had a problem. We also have a "no home crap in the theatre rule" very handy

Posted By: theatrejunki
Date Posted: 4/27/07 at 4:31pm

My husband and I formed our own theatre company after meeting while performing in a play together. I direct most of our company's shows and I treat my husband with the same respect and courtesy that I extend to all my cast and crew (he probably gets treated better during rehearsal then he does at home, ha). I insist that my husband audition just like everyone else and have not cast him in several role that he wanted because I felt there was someone better for the job. Our company is small (5 board members and 10-12 regular ensemble members) and my husband and I do the lion's share of the work. We try very hard to keep our personal relationship from negatively affecting the company. However, it's partly our personal relationship that keeps the theatre going, besides we would never see each other if both of us weren't involved. Our company is founded on and thrives on family. We have many spouses and couples who regularly work with us and haven't had any problems. I think I depends on the maturity, responsibility and personalities of the people involved.

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Theatre is like a virus, once you get it you can't get rid of it." Robin Boisseau
Jennifer Dove
Stage Left Theatre Company
Medina, Ohio
www.stagelefttheatrecompany.org