Making enemies
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=2545
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 5:55pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Making enemies
Posted By: GoldCanyonLady
Subject: Making enemies
Date Posted: 7/28/07 at 12:30pm
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Gosh, I don't know if I like directing anymore. Working with ego laden artists and having to ask them to learn lines (two weeks from opening night) or firing an actor for missing so many rehearsals has led to a hand full of enemies all of a sudden. I give lots of praise and am understanding to a point, then I have to ask to get the job done. I didn't holler, I spoke privately to the two actors but I have lost 4 actors for the future. Two others supported the two that I had to ask. I should say, "good riddance" but these people were friends before this episode last year. I think that directing friends or enemies is one tough job. ------------- Barb Hofmeister, MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona. |
Replies:
Posted By: Theatrestation
Date Posted: 7/28/07 at 1:31pm
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If they got that upset and you were as fair as you say they wern't really friends. Their ultimate goal should have been the same as yours which I am assuming was to give the best performance possible (to both please your audience and represent your theatre well).
People that unfocused or that quick to go against authority are not team players. It sounds like that clique would have been nothing but trouble in the future anyway. The mood will probably improve without them. ------------- http://www.castbuilding.com http://www.theatrestation.com |
Posted By: B-M-D
Date Posted: 7/28/07 at 1:43pm
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I just directed a show where I had asked two friends to audition. I didn't cast either of them. The climate has dropped a few degrees since then whenever I run into one of them. Apparently few people believed me when I said that just because I ask someone to audition is no guarantee of being cast, even friends.
Although not quite the situation you describe it sure is good test of who your friends really are.
------------- BD 
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
Posted By: GoldCanyonLady
Date Posted: 7/28/07 at 2:59pm
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Thanks. You are right, they weren't real friends. The world is full of pseudo friends especially if you are in the position of giving them what they want. All four actors are now rehearsing for another director in another company in our community. She was the former director here who quit when she got mad. They deserve each other and I have a great cast now; they are all people who work hard. Barb ------------- Barb Hofmeister, MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona. |
Posted By: Director001
Date Posted: 7/28/07 at 3:03pm
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I feel for you. It can be very lonely sometimes.
The task of the director is not to be popular, but to serve the playwright and put on the best show possible.
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Posted By: DWolfman
Date Posted: 7/29/07 at 12:24pm
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Tried to find a quote for you but couldn't verify a source. It goes something like "Everytime you make a decision you lose half your friends." Since directing is one of the prime decision-making activities, these situations come with the territory. Only the strong survive. You have my sympathy and my understanding. I'm not going to bore you with the thousand or so war stories I could relate, but as others have pointed out, someone has to make the decisions for the show, the playwright, the company, the audience, and all others involved.
Best hopes for smoother seas and safe harbor. ------------- Even a man who is pure of heart... |
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 8/02/07 at 6:52pm
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Making enemies is easy, making true friends is hard.
This is your job (Directing) and their job is acting. You lay down the rules and they agree to follow them, they fail to do so then there are consequences. I don't like it anymore then the next person, but remember if you were paying them a salary to do this would you put up with them not fulfilling their requirements.
Maybe it is time to have a powwow with the rest of the cast and remind them that this is a "job" and unless they wish to look silly on stage because one member of the team can't remember their lines or blocking. I know I wouldn't want to be in that situation (and I have been). They owe it to their other cast members to be ready and prepared.
Now, I know it is not easy when you are being targeted to not let emotions get in the way. But this is what is important now. Sure tell them that it hurts you that they feel this way, but you have a job to do.
Good luck and don't let it get to you too much. The next time they want to get cast in a show they will be kiss your buttocks for a part. And hopefully the firing will be a wake up call for everyone.
------------- 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: Gaafa
Date Posted: 8/03/07 at 4:24am
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Something I have used for years is the 'Talking
Stick', which I have mentioned here a few times, that may help?
Either do it at the beginning or end of a
rehearsal. It only takes about half an hour or so, in the form of a
'powow'!
It works well & is a very useful directors
tool.
I first did it by grabing an old dance cane &
dressing up with some old tat.
You set up the rules first & insist that
everyone adress each other, by thier character name or production job title.
Only the person holding the stick can speak & stricktly no one else. - use
an egg timer to keep them from prattling on & on. The stick is passed on to
each speaker in turn, controlled by the director. I normally ask it to be passed
on by the left hand only, as to signify it is from the heart. {As Lord
Robert Baden Powel founder of the Boy scouts, who instigated with the left
hand shake. Also as with the Pantomime good Fairy who enters from stage left
& swaps the wand from her right hand to make good spells in the left
hand},
This was done by the native americans, Aussie
Aboriginals & Celtic tribes. With one of the oldest being 'Erik' the celtic
talking stick, housed in a London museum.
Try it you will enjoy, as it not those that speak,
but the stick who is talking, therefore no retribution is leveled at the holder
of the stick
------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: red diva
Date Posted: 8/03/07 at 5:34pm
Yeah, Gold Canyon Lady....it's lonely at the top. That's why we directors get the big bucks! ------------- "I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!" |
Posted By: B-M-D
Date Posted: 8/03/07 at 7:59pm
Heh, heh.... Then why do I still need a day job?  ------------- BD
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
Posted By: GoldCanyonLady
Date Posted: 8/04/07 at 10:57am
You get paid?  I do this for fun.  Thanks to everyone for the good words. It is good to know that I am not alone out here. ------------- Barb Hofmeister, MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona. |
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 8/05/07 at 2:55am
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Most of us do it for fun, but I think when I am no longer having fun, then it's time to do something else. |
Posted By: ictdramamama
Date Posted: 8/06/07 at 5:28pm
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For most of my 50 years in theatre, I have actually made a good part of my living as a director. I know exactly what all of you mean. But to me, I treated actors in my Community Theatre shows the same way I did the professionals I work with.
I am at a point in life now that I always have a few good actors in mind when I do a show (other than school or children's theatre). I am open minded and pleasantly surprised by new talent at auditions and everyone knows, I change my mind for the BEST possible cast 'mix'.
I never enter the theatre late or unprepared so I expect the same from cast and crew. Few can miss work, come in late or call in sick at will. They can't pull it with me, either.
I have cast many good friends and I have cast many good actors that I loathe, personally.
Everyone knows from the beginning, there can ONLY be one director and all final decisions rest with me. However, I expect them to give the same respect to their crew heads. As much as possible, I deal with crew heads and NOT individual actors in 'heated' situations.
I am not unyielding and I want the actors to be creative. But, I'm in the house and I DO know if what they are doing is right... or out.
Most important, my actors know that criticism from me is constructive. It's their face, their character and their teamwork that an audience loves or hates.
In the end, how many remember who the director was? I tell them, my satisfaction is helping them reach the character's being.
Even friends 'get it' if you can say; if you really want me to go to the cast and say...."she's my best friend and even though she isn't on a par with the rest of you, she thinks she deserves to stay". I'll do that but YOU will stand beside me as I do.
Usually, they'll back down and leave or work backstage OR... if given another chance, they straighten up.
Truthfully, if your cast knows you are looking at them as professionals, they tend to have a better 'tude. ..... MOST of them, that is
 Oh my. I sound like a tough cookie and I guess I am. But I like to think a cast trusts me and I do party with them... to an extent. ------------- Da Mama Luvs Ya! |
Posted By: whitebat
Date Posted: 8/11/07 at 6:20pm
| Well, we've had a few painful director/actor confrontations. I think most were due to lack of communication, including people not knowing who is in charge of which decisions (e.g. approving cover art for programs). I got upset, but never left a show. A few actors should've gotten canned (miss a bunch of rehearsals, and the other one can't project). We had a blowup over extreme nepotism in casting (3 members of director's family in prime roles), which led to the assistant director directing that show, but the ex-director came back and acted in our next show (they did resolve it). |