rehearsal deposit
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Running Your Theater
Forum Discription: General questions about how to make it work
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2378
Printed Date: 11/22/24 at 12:55pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: rehearsal deposit
Posted By: doublezero420
Subject: rehearsal deposit
Date Posted: 4/29/07 at 6:02am
|
My CT has regular "issues" with attendance at rehearsals, and our board (i'm the VP) is considering a $20 "rehearsal deposit." They way we are thinking it would work is this: Everyone in the cast pays $20 at the first rehearsal (in cash or by check) and if they have attended all rehearsals it will be returned at the final performance.
Some of our board members are opposed to this because they say it amounts to charging actors to perform (yes, I've read that thread). Others say we shouldn't do it b/c "we're a community theater, and people have other commitments." But most of the issues we have are just actors being incosiderate to their fellow acotrs.
Examples:
1. A show I directed a few years back (my directorial debut) I cast a seasoned veteran of our CT in the lead. He ended up missing half of the rehearsals. Even more aggrivating was the fact that he directs a show at least every other year and is constantly going on about how important attendance is. (My show is not the only one he's done this, It's a fairly regular thing with him) Needless to say I won't be casting him in any major roles.
2. Same show - another lead didn't have a ride to rehearsals so I would pick him up and bring him. One evening he was running late and I had to wait 20 minutes for him, then he tells me he isn't going to go because he's "tired."
Ok, I;m just ranting now. back to the topic...
what does everyone else think about rehearsal deposits?
thanks
|
Replies:
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 4/29/07 at 10:36pm
|
Charging to be in the show is not the answer. This is not going to make them show up anymore than not charging. You need to nip it in the bud early. We submit a "contract" of rules and understanding. Missing rehearsals, tardiness, responsibility of costumes, reposibiltiy of scripts, etc. This is clearly outlined in their audition packet and they sign it before they audition. They are also given a copy of the rules so there are no missunderstandings. If they cannot abide by the rules, then they are asked to leave. Yes it is a pain to have to recast or reblock because someone is let go, but the important thing is if you let one get away with their behavior others will try and push the boundries. This can also lower morale.
What these few individuals need is to not be cast if they cannot follow the rules. They need to work as a team and if they can not show the curtesy to their other actors, then they should not be there.
Same goes for coming prepared to rehearse, focusing, no talking, and the ever popular cellular phone calls in the middle of blocking. These destractions will not be tolerated.
I have had to do this on a few occassions and one guy finally got the hint when he was not cast in a show a few times because of his constant tardiness. Needless to say, when he was cast again he was always early.
Further rant, rehearsals start at 7PM, that means you are ready to work at 7PM so you should be here early enough to prepare.
Hope that helps.
-------------
The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.
|
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 4/30/07 at 11:22pm
|
While you deserve credit for coming up with a new idea for a solution to this problem, I agree with biggertigger that this probably isn't going to be the answer. For some people the $20 might be a hardship and for others they could pay that many times over and it wouldn't make them any more loyal to the group. We are particularly challenged with creating an atmosphere where people want to work collaboratively, where they feel a sense of responsibility to the ensemble and happy to be a part of things without beating them over the head with it. (Although I admit that can be mighty appealing sometimes.) And yet, even with the one big happy family ensemble, there will be times when people miss for one reason or another and often their reason will not be a very good one. I feel that it is the absent person's responsiblity to fill her/himself in on what happened at the missed rehearsal by asking either the director, assistant director, or stage manager for any missed information, such as changes in schedules, changes in blocking, etc.
I think we will always have absenteeism. It's just your choice as director whether you want to cast the known habitual offender or not.
|
Posted By: TheaterACT
Date Posted: 5/01/07 at 2:27am
|
I would tend to agree with Kathy...make it known that you want to direct a professional quality show, and also make it known to your cast that not showing up for rehearsal is a major issue in your book---and if it happens in one show---it isn't going to happen again because you won't cast them again. For my shows...my actors know the things they can get away with, and the things they cant. I make a general announcement at the first rehearsal about attendance, and they know it's a big deal to me. I also tend to cut actors from scenes (this usually only works in musicals/musical numbers) "you're not here, you're not in it" I know for many principal roles that's not an option, but perhaps being a little firmer and laying down the law may help (i know..it's no fun to be the bad guy) I hate that part.
|
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 5/01/07 at 9:51am
|
One thing people tend to forget that theater is a business. Your goal is to generate money so that you may pay the bills for one show and continue on with future shows.
As a Manager (director) you wouldn't let an employee continue to come late to work without reprication, yet in community theater people let this slide. As in business when one team member does not "pull his own weight" the end result can suffer, the same thing can happen in theater too.
As I said, sometimes you need to quit thinking about community theater as fun and turn to your business sense. Then when the cast understands that this is a business, then they can start having fun.
Now this doesn't mean you need to go into a show "guns ablazing" just let them know what is expected of them from the very beginning and when a cast member misses a rehearsal or comes late, take them off to the side and talk with them. Reiterate the importance of them being there and that further indisgretions will not be tolerated.
This is business.
-------------
The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.
|
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 5/01/07 at 10:35am
|
Maybe if we knew WHY people want to be in a show it would help us to keep their enthusiasm up for being there, on time, ready to go. How about a question on the audition form so they can state in their own words what being involved in this show means to them personally?
|
Posted By: doublezero420
Date Posted: 5/07/07 at 7:44am
|
If I saw that question on a audition form, it would be left blank. That sounds too much like a English 101 essay question and I have a big problem with that kind of thing. (Not in the sense of "I have a problem with the war in Iraq" but in the sense of "I have a problem moving an upright piano to the second floor by myself")
|
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 5/09/07 at 2:00am
|
OK. You're right. I'd feel that way too. I don't think I will ever understand on any level people who over commit and under deliver. I'd much rather have it the other way around -- and there are some of those, too.
|
Posted By: trutter
Date Posted: 5/09/07 at 1:22pm
Attendance is always an issue, especially if you have a show early in the season, near the time school is going back in session. The summer is a LOUSY time to try and schedule rehearsals.
I always have an attendance chart on the wall and actually use it. If someone misses too often, then there is a private talking to. In spite of absences, the show always goes on... but I understand what you are saying.
Im a stickler for punctuality, and I am almost always the first person there, even when in the cast. I start on time, and if somebody isn't there, then myself or somebody else reads. In our Christmas performance of "The Bench," (a good play by the way) we had somebody who was doing a show in another city up until the final week of rehearsals. At one point I honestly though I would have to stand in, but he was great in the role, and his absence was known at auditions.
We always ask for conflicts, and part of the job of the director is to creatively schedule rehearsals to get the best show possible produced. This includes organizing conflicts and rehearsals around them, in my opinion.
Tardiness, however, is a very sticky subject. If it becomes an issue, I would talk with them privately rather than keep raving about how it is important to be on time. They will probably know you are talking to them, and have a negative attitude because you are openly criticizing them. Privately is definitely the way I go.
-------------
------
Troy A. Rutter
Author, "Kids in the Biz: A Hollywood Handbook for Parents"
http://www.kidsinthebiz.com/ - http://www.kidsinthebiz.com/
A Heinemann Drama Publication
|
|