Curtain Call
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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3421
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 3:02pm
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Topic: Curtain Call
Posted By: BadHabit
Subject: Curtain Call
Date Posted: 9/08/08 at 10:39am
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Hey Guys- We're a new, small community theater- and I had a question about curtain calls. Our technical director wants us to add a "shout-out" to the tech crew/SM during the curtain call. The way it has happened in the past, is the cast motions toward the booth at the end (similar to the way one would do for an orchestra). We did it during our last season for each show, and I felt that it was sloppy and somewhat confusing for the audience. I'm not a big fan of it, and haven't heard of anyone else using a curtain call for this purpose. Is this something that anyone else does? |
Replies:
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 9/08/08 at 11:13am
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I'm with you I hate it!
Normally here they just gesture to bio box, but what gets up my nose, is when the cast applaud as well.
Nearly all the techies I know, believe this is just milking applause from the punters & it so pathetic! ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 9/08/08 at 11:44am
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"Sloppy" is on the cast and director.... As for the acknowlegement itself, I think its a good thing for both 1: audince to remember that there is more to the performance to than just the actors, and for 2: the techies to feel appreciated... but probably most importantly for the actors to 3: (see item one)... At all the venues I have worked it isn't a "big deal" They just, after their first company bow, (as a group) they salute the orchestra, then the tech booth. Don't think I have ever been in a show that both didnt deserve it... and it dosen't add a lot of time as far as the "milky" complaint goes... But I do sooooo much want to agree with Joe on cast applause... I really hate when the cast applaudes themselves or each other.. or anyone else for that matter... Thats the audiences job, let them do it.. I would say that it is so High School, but I don't even let my kids do that at our school show... ------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: 75director
Date Posted: 9/08/08 at 12:13pm
| We have always done the booth acknowledgement in our curtain calls. Like Marty, said we do it after the first company bow and the orchestra acknowledgment. The only time it could come across as sloppy is if the curtain call itself isn't well staged. I hate sloppy and long curtain calls. As I tell my casts the show is over before the curtain call starts, the audience has been sitting there for 2+ hours they want to applaud for you but they also want to get home, so don't torture them by taking forever to bow. I know we all have been at shows where your arms and hands literaly hurt from clapping so long and the leads get less enthusastic bows than the first group of ensemble players. My 2 cents on curtain calls. |
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 9/08/08 at 1:49pm
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The only time I've seen the tech crew acknowledged during curtain calls were for productions of "Tuna Christmas" and "The Mystery of Irma Vep." Both are shows featuring only two actors performing dozens of roles in rapid succession. Staging either of these shows would be impossible without a well-rehearsed backstage crew handling the quick changes.
After the actors have taken their bows, they motion to the wings where the crew appeared (typically all dressed in black) and each carrying some sort of costume piece, wig or prop. The audience applauded mightily, either due to appreciation for the crew's contribution or simply because they were stunned to see how many people were actually running around backstage to make the show as seamless as possible. ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: Stageref
Date Posted: 9/08/08 at 2:33pm
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I agree that a quick motion to the tech booth is appropriate for some of the reasons mentioned above.
The cast applauding itself or each other is awful! When advising against it once, I was told that it's traditional to tap feet or stomp or something instead. Has anyone heard that?? It sounds even worse! ------------- http://www.stageref.com - Stageref.com The new, free, on-line social experience of community theater productions and people |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 9/08/08 at 9:46pm
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As a punter, all I want to do, is nick outside the theatre for a quick smoke. There again as a black duck techie, I all I want, by the end of the show, is a quick caffeine & nicotine fix.
As for the Luvvies & twirlies Stamping or tapping their feet, that it is total rubbish & it is not a theatre tradition I have heard of.
I always rehearse curtain calls as an integral part of the show. Because it something that annoys me, seeing half heated rag calls, that look like no ones got an idea what's going on.
When I was growing up backstage, the warm props would measure how well the show went, by the number of times the house rag bounced.
Having worked the house rag lines, after the first half a dozen, I was knackered. From jumping off the fly rail & swinging down on the curtain hemp line, to the stage. Then pulling the line to reverse the rag & ride it up again - Hoping you don't get the 'Rag Go' cue again!
These days when ever possible I just use lights down & up instead. Much cleaner, slicker & easier. Also the cast know if they are in the dark & the hear the curtain coming in, the finale curtain calls are finished.
------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: dexter74656
Date Posted: 9/09/08 at 6:11pm
Foot stomping/feet tapping in my background is more of a musician thing - musicians will ruffle their feet instead of clapping because their hands are full with their instrument... used like when acknowledging soloists or on the conductor's entrance. Never heard of it for theater.
Personally, I don't mind the cast applauding - I don't think it's clapping for themselves, it's applauding everyone else on a job well done. I call it a sign of respect from the first people out that they're clapping for the people that follow them, etc.
I will say that I hate long curtain calls and I'm working on fixing that - I've been watching a bunch of shows on YouTube and in person, taking note of how they run their calls and figuring out how to streamline ours.
For us, after the last cast member comes out, everyone motions Stage Right and the "Set Construction Dude" enters from a side door; then Stage Left for the "Costume Lady/Dressing Room Queen", and finally center stage for the Stage Manager. No recognition goes back to the booth simply because it's always been me and my co-director running things.
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Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 9/10/08 at 10:43am
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The nod to the "booth" is (for us anyway) symbolic of all the tech... and a location that the audience can identify with.. As for the "Rag Call" complaints of Joe... Most of the small houses I work Joe don't even close the curtain for curtain call... its just lights up, whatever procesion or staging has been directed, a bow, the "nod" to the booth and pit, bow, lights out. Everyone tries to keep them quick, unless "staged" like a part of the entertainment or a Finale Ultimo thats already pre scripted... The only exception I give in to in "dragging" it out is when we do the high school show... Kids get on stage once a year, and there parents just came to see them and cheer... Again, the wonders and diversity of the theater experince.
------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: B-M-D
Date Posted: 9/17/08 at 2:43pm
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No, no nod to the booth or any other bush league amateur BS like that. Show your appreciation yourself by taking the time to recognize them with a word or two. You'd be surprised how far the personal touch goes. You'd also gain appreciation points by recognizing them at the cast party with any gifts of recognition or whatever your group's tradition is for that sort of thing. ------------- BD 
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 9/18/08 at 9:48am
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Slighty off topic rant follows, forgive me...
BMD is absolutly right when he says that we should all take the time to say Thank You. Hopefully, regular thanks to all involved is part of all our theater's coorporate routine... And it should take place throughout the process, not just a pat on the back as your closing up after strike.. Unfortunalty, not all theaters are consistant with that kind of recognition.
At the many theaters in which I work there are variations of the cast gift, a card, or some kind of recognition. Each system is based on the traditions and coorperate mentality of the individual house. EACH one is different from the other, some slightly, others totally. Which of them is wrong?
I don't think any of them are wrong... Are there some that I personally don't care for, you bet... But, it's my opinion, thats part of what makes "Community" theater so special. I also think this board is pretty special and gives us a great opportunity to share ideas. Especially when one person asks, "whats your opinion on..." , or "how do you do it..." Of course when the question is a cut and dried, "Which house owns the rights to...." or "Where can I buy a..." then the answers are going to be definitive...
But if we are going to be able to "share" ideas, and as I said before, if no one has made a set of "Rules for Community Theater" laws, then I think we need to be a little more open to the way OTHERS do things. No one is asking you to do it their way, but each theater is different. Each audience is different. Each director, each show, each set of special circumstances are all different.
One of the things I like about "Community Theater" (which is where I have my fun, not make my living) is the diversity and acceptance one finds there.. I have also appreciated the openness of this forum.. I often hear great ideas from others that I think I can use in my own theater life. And I often read stuff I either don't think is right, or wouldn't work for me. Take whats good, leave the rest.
One thing I have noticed creeping in on various posts lately is a "My Way Or The Highway" attitude. I, and this is opinion gang, don't think its necessary to deride what other theaters may do in order to make our points. And I fear that it will stifel future discussions if posters opinions and traditions are catagorized in a demeaning manner. I have my ideas, you have yours... If your so sure yours is the ONLY way, then I envy you your self confidence and theatrical prowess. For me, I'm here to share what I've learned and to continue to learn from others.
Amateur: From the French; To do something, not for financial reward but for the "Amour" (Love) of it...
Yup, thats me..
Rant complete.
------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 9/18/08 at 10:26am
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P.S., BMD, though your comment was my spring board, this is not intended as an attack, just venting on what I see as a trend... Thanks ------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |