Running Your Theater: Auditorium Directors

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Auditorium Directors

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=2867
Printed Date: 10/30/25 at 9:21pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Auditorium Directors

Posted By: Teach Me
Subject: Auditorium Directors
Date Posted: 12/12/07 at 10:15am

I am working in a theatre with more than one activity taking place, but I am newest in terms of director. Everything amiss in the theatre, from loose bolts to the main slides being placed in the off position instead of the on position, is being 'blamed' on the new kid...me. I have been lucky thus far because I have had witnesses to verify that everything was in working order and fine when I left; however, this is getting old really fast. Ideas on how to work with or confront the Auditorium Dictator - oops, I mean Director?

Would some kind of checklist be appropriate...something verifying that when I left everything was OK?

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Teach Me

Replies:

Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 12/12/07 at 12:07pm

If your theatre is anything like the ones I have worked in, they need you as a director more than you need them. Directors are usually in short supply. It would appear you have two choices. Document everything and play CYA the entire show or tell the Auditorium Director to get off your butt. The choice is yours.

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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 12/13/07 at 1:10pm

Sounds like someone playing dictator as you rightly misstated in the first place....someone pushing around whatever weight they think they have. Sorry you're having to endure this. Like pdavis said - CYA and then tell them to get off your tail. If they're so interested in everything you seem to not be doing, then tell them you'll leave it to THEM to check behind you - and that way they have no-one to blame but themselves if something is not being done that should be. INFORM them that since yours is not the ONLY thing going on in the space, then perhaps they ought to look at EVERYONE involved in using it to determine who, what, when, etc., isn't being checked...before they start laying blame. Back up and you're going to be fighting a battle the whole time. Stand up and document everything you or this person says or does and you're covered. If they argue the point, they're GOING TO argue the point every time. Just be sure you have a willing witness to EVERYTHING and that way this person will have not a leg to stand on. Find out who THEY answer to and address that person or entity. If they are liaison to the board, go to the board or someone higher up and tell them what's going on. Whatever you do, you're not going to please this person evidently. Don't try. Just deal with someone in position of more power over them. MOST unreasonable. And pdavis is right - they need you more than you need them.

TonyDi

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"Almost famous"

Posted By: Teach Me
Date Posted: 1/04/08 at 6:59pm

I just wanted to say thank you for your support...we had a meeting of the minds...and while I hate confrontation, there hasn't been a single issue since...knock on wood:-)

You are all so wonderful!!!

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Teach Me