Canceling a show
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=3468
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 3:34pm
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Topic: Canceling a show
Posted By: Nanette
Subject: Canceling a show
Date Posted: 9/17/08 at 5:16am
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What is the latest you've cancelled a show? Not just a single performance, but an entire run?
We're supposed to open this Friday.
Half the cast doesn't know their lines/cues/what they're doing, the set still isn't finished, some actors don't have costumes yet (they were to provide school clothes ... we did the big stuff), ticket sales are non-existant, etc.
When is it too late to cancel a show? ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |
Replies:
Posted By: imamember
Date Posted: 9/17/08 at 6:22am
I'd say anytime! |
Posted By: jaytee060
Date Posted: 9/17/08 at 9:28am
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How could this happen? Who is in charge there? Do you not havd a director and a producer? This whole thing sounds incredible to me ! I suggest you cancel this production immediately and review the structure and practices of your theatre organization......or lack of it.------------- "REMEMBER ME IN LIGHT" |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 9/17/08 at 10:46am
| Wow. I'd say the show must go on and do absolutely everything you can to avoid cancelling at this late date but if things are really as bad as you say maybe you have no choice. Remember, things can look darker than they are at this point. |
Posted By: jaytee060
Date Posted: 9/17/08 at 11:20am
While i do agree with the old adage "the show must go on",....... unless the problems stated are grossly exaggerated this productions dire straits may very well supercede that ancient motto.
If indeed the actors do not know their lines and cues, they have only a partial set and only half the costumes...if they are even struggling with the blocking and most importantly, the ticket sales are "non-existant".......and if you take into consideration that they open on Friday............WELL, that seems to be an awful lot to accomplish in just 2 days. Maybe I'm just a pessimist.
------------- "REMEMBER ME IN LIGHT" |
Posted By: B-M-D
Date Posted: 9/17/08 at 11:39am
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Even in my worst of experiences I've never been involved in cancelling the run of a show. Sounds like lots of people didn't care or take responsibility for anything including the actors and the director. Pack it in, this ain't worth it. ------------- BD 
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 9/17/08 at 1:11pm
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Ouch... is it really THAT bad? Is there any hope for it? Why are there no ticket sales? Is that normal for you? is it the show/material?
But as for a full out cancelation, is it one of those shows that you say, if we only had another week, or that shows going to be great three weeks after it opens? Is there any room in your season schedule to bump it a little? We had to bump an entire show last year, of course that was to accomodate the restoration/renovation of our flooded out theater, but I know other theaters that have had major problems and put a show off for a week or even up to a month... ------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 9/18/08 at 8:01am
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"If we had another week" is the problem. We had to reschedule the production a week earlier because of conflicts. But, even with another week, I think the kids who don't know their lines still wouldn't know their lines. LOL
I've found costumes for those who were "still working on it" (uh, a little too late to still be "working on it"), and our set is finally in place.
Ticket money has started coming in, too (they wait until it's due before they bring in anything ... kids!). We sell a majority of our tickets at the door, but I count on early sales from the kids to see where we stand.
I've also asked my more experienced kids to cover the missed lines. I have a few newbies in this production and they are simply not disciplined enough to pay attention. If you've ever worked with kids you'll know that if one or two people miss a line, the rest get distracted ... even the ones who know their lines.
I am the person doing well over 90% of the work, so it all falls to me to do it all. There is simply no one else to do it. So, folks, with some creative work on my part, it's coming together a little better. We have another rehearsal tonight (with the set!!!) and we run a speed-through after our dinner break (15 minutes). Even with their scripts in front of them, the ones who don't know their lines completely miss them. YIKES!!! Don't worry, they'll not be cast for a few shows. Somehow it all comes out in the end. We've been rather scattered before; I just feel we're rougher than usual because of the number of kids on stage for this production (17!) ... AND we're in a new venue where things are not only unfamiliar, but usually don't work. (Talk about making a silk purse out of a sow's ear!) ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 9/18/08 at 8:30am
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Oh... now the light comes on.... School show!.. Thought we had a Community Theater Crisis... Here, let me put on my High School Director hat... There...
don't know all there lines, blocking? Missing costumes and set still not done.. You still have till Friday? Your AHEAD of the game..
Good luck, it will all work out. ------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 9/18/08 at 8:44am
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MartyW ... LOL ... but still not quite there .... It IS a CT, but a CT for kids. Thanks for making me feel better, though. The one other person helping me out keeps saying it'll all come together, but I never believe it until the curtain comes down and I see they've actually pulled it off.
I love stress!!! LOL ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |
Posted By: B-M-D
Date Posted: 9/18/08 at 11:24am
I'm not sure what you as a director expect or demand from these kids but as with almost anything in life if you demand or expect nothing you get nothing. Learning lines should be like breathing air. It's basic and vital. Are there more immediate consequences to these kids for NOT learning their lines other than not being cast in the next few shows?
It's probably a good thing that I don't direct children. My expectations would be much as they are for the adults that I direct. I also suspect that the parents abrogate thier responsibility and expect you to be the parent in their absense. Were I in your place I guarantee that more than once I'd be hauling parent and child into the "director's office" for a little chat, "I'm sorry Ms Smith but if little Johnny doesn't learn his lines by Sunday he's out of the show." Simple, uncomplicated goals & expectations and consequences for not achieving them whether you're 5 or 75, neophyte or seasoned professional.
------------- BD
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 9/18/08 at 1:08pm
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Just my two cents here, but I'd have to vote for cancellation if this were my theatre. It is my opinion people would remember a bad show much longer than a cancelled show.. A bad show might keep them away from seeing the good shows you will put on in the future by thinking "If that is the quality they allow on stage, i'll just go elsewhere." ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: belle
Date Posted: 9/19/08 at 12:55am
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When working with high school kids who didn't know their lines, I've found that rehearsing with them individually often helps. I give them hints for how to remember lines--line logic, key words, question/answer sequences, tricks, etc., that work for me as an actor. In essance, I "talk them through" the lines/sections they have trouble with. We go over the sections 2 or 3 times in 30 minutes to see if they are getting stronger. (I feed them the cues and they say the lines.) This "lesson" gives them tools to use on their own.
Also, I try to find out if they are visual or aural learners as it makes a difference how they learn lines. People at the extreme of these 2 styles simply can't learn them using the way that doesn't work for them. Constant reassurance that they CAN do it often helps, too.
I have them come early or stay late to go over what they don't know (with proper supervision, of course). Showing them that I know it is challenging but that I am sure they can do it often solves the problem (or at least gets them up to the level of capable). I try to work through this process as soon as I see memorization is going to be a problem rather than the night before opening, but I've had to do it during production week a time or two.
Since we only do a couple of performances, I've sometimes asked mildly if they are going to wait until "next week" to learn the lines. (After the show has closed.) I don't use much sarcasm, but a little jolt can get some actors moving.
I realize that the concept that "it all comes together" no matter the problems during production is reassuring to some. It's the old "bad rehearsal, good performance" idea. My philosopy is a that a good rehearsal (or a bunch of them) makes for a great performance. That said, a really terrible rehearsal scares some kids into really digging deep and improving. Fear (of looking foolish in front of their friends) is a great motivator.
If this show is a fiasco (in your eyes), use the experience as a tool to make future ones better. Figure out what was wrong with the process and try something different next time. A Broadway producer once said that he liked a challenge. If there wasn't the chance that he would fail miserably, he wouldn't take on a project. Anyone who tries to put on a show with kids is certainly risking failure, but the audiences for such shows are very forgiving. I always ask my actors/tech to "do their best." If they will give me that much, I am pleased with the results.
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Posted By: trutter
Date Posted: 9/24/08 at 11:07am
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This is eerily familiar, I had to do something similar yesterday... more later after I am able to talk about it.
------------- ------ 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 |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 9/24/08 at 12:21pm
In case you missed it on another thread, Nanette didn't cancel the show and it all turned out OK. 
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Posted By: Aimee
Date Posted: 9/25/08 at 10:25am
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Knowing how schools work, canceling or postponing the show may not be an option. So I understand the frustrations of dropped lines, cues..costumes, all of it. We had a show once where one of the leads actually said "I'll do it for the show." never mind this was the final dress. She missed lines and cues, ofcourse. I would have loved to have it postponed, but looking back, probably would not have helped. No matter how the show goes you can learn from it. Pick every area apart to find "where it went wrong" and use it as a guide for what not to do again. Maybe get more parents involved for costuming, or get another adult for set building, or possibly start rehearsals a week earlier and be firm with deadlines. I know I learned alot from that show that turned out to be OK at best. That will only help for future shows, for this one, at this point you do the best you can here at the end, give them all the "pep" talks you can and hope it turns out for the best.
Yes, somehow, and I am ALWAYS amazed when it does, come together at the end for the performances. It never makes those awful rehearsals any better to deal with.
Best of luck! ------------- Aimee |
Posted By: B-M-D
Date Posted: 9/25/08 at 12:41pm
I'd have "fired" them instantly for that remark. I'd rather have someone go on book in hand as a replacement than put up with that kind of disrespect and inconsideration.
Sorry for not taking the "nurturing" approach that's been somewhat suggested elsewhere in these posts but sometimes you have to call out the bad behavior, draw the line in the sand and simply remove and make an example of those that are unwilling or unable to do what's expected of them. ------------- BD
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
Posted By: avcastner
Date Posted: 10/01/08 at 7:43pm
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For tickets sales: create a contest that the first one to turn in $x gets a ____ gift card (usually $5). I use Jamba Juice with high schoolers and Baskin Robbins with younger kids. I usually pay for these out of my own pocket, because the budget is usually very tight.
Secondly, I would cancel the show. But I wouldn't do it without starting the rehearsal a little, letting the fumble like it was the real thing, and then having everyone sit down and explain the entire situation. Explain how their "flakiness" (for want of a better word) has caused the situation. Explain how that if this show went on, nobody would come to future shows because this show would ruin the reputation of the group. It may even end up ruining the reputation of your adult theatre group. ------------- |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 10/01/08 at 11:32pm
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As yet I have never pulled a production.
Though last Friday i almost did!
For our production of the 'BIG IDEA' by Nigel Holloway [Lazy Bee].
We received the keys & swipe card to our newly refurbished venue, from the the city Council.
After trying for two hours to shut down the Security alarm to the building & finally having to call the Security Company, it took them a further hour & half to front up - they are really on the ball?
We were a wee bit crapped off to say the least. At first they were not going to turn out, as the building was supposedly not occupied yet! I couldn't quite grasp their thinking on this one?
Luckily one of our cast is a City Councillor & she ripped into them on the phone. Anyhow the guard knocked on the door & said "what's the problem"?
After the barrage of comments pointing out the obvious to him, he said "Oh it's the Alarm!", I'm not sure if he was being sarcastic or just hard of hearing?
So he tapped in his code in to the Alarm monitor console [which we made note of] & the alarm stopped.
I asked him to to go thru the exercise of arming it again & then showing us the procedure of disarming the alarm. to this he said 'that's a waste of time, as the alarm might not shut down again"! I was rather bemused by this? Then I had to calm down the Councillor from reading the guard the 'riot Act'.
Anyhow he reluctantly went thru the procedure & we thanked him, as he left the building shaking his head.
Then we saw the venue for the first time!
Only to find it was a naked chook pen, it was empty of any theatre infra structure. No retractable seating or even chairs. No lighting bars or lighting patch circuits installed, in fact sweet fanny Adams.
So this is what one gets for $ 4 million these days?
Not to be undaunted completely, i said as we have a week before dress rehearsal, we can cobble together enough gear to make it work. Then some of the cast started doing their blocks 7 doing the 'Gloria Swanson' bit.
My old blood pressure started to rise, along with the shakes & generally becoming more wobbly than usual. So I went outside to have a smoke &calm down. Then I noticed a couple drive off, i found out when I came inside, they had pulled the pin on the show & had gone home.
Anyhow as I was suffering on the verge of my 6th stoke, I though it best to follow suit & send every body home.
However after another smoke a cuppa & a lay down at home, I rang around calling in old favours from other fellow techies in pro & ameatre.
At this stage it looks good for the Sunday dress rehearsal with lighting, audio & sets.
Unfortunately a few emails went around the cast suggesting & stating it had been cancelled.
So it took till Monday to get them all on board again to a rehearsal. The majority of the cast have never been on stage before & have little idea of the trials & tribulations of Comeatre in general.
During last nights rehearsal the acoustics in the venue are bleeding awful, there is at least a one heart beat echo through out the auditorium. So I asked them to perform a scene on the apron with the House Rag in. This cut down the echoing by about 90%. So we need to to put in a Smother curtain up stage & another one on the back wall of the auditorium. To cut it out almost completely.
However as it would be difficult to borrow these at this late stage, I put it back on the Council to hire in the the gear, at their cost - which they agreed too. So things are looking good for the Dress Rehearsal & Opening night on Tuesday the 5th.
I have no idea how if we will have an audience or not as yet. So I may have to resort to a Gold coin [$1 & $2] admission fee. With a heap of donation boxes in the foyer!
I may even try the old pay what you can or accept non perishable goods to the ticket value & raffle the goods off, at the interval - which I have done before & we always seem to raise more than we would selling tickets.
but I'll see how it goes!
One thing I leaned in a previous life, which I gleaned from old Maurice Micklewhite [Micheal Caine]. Was to "USE THE DIFFICULTIES"!  ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 10/02/08 at 8:40am
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OMG what a tale! I am sending you the best of 'break a leg' wishes for your show. It would serve the naysayers right, if it was the most successful show to date! (Invest in valium  ) |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 10/02/08 at 10:15am
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Toi Toi Chookas tristanrobin!
Thanks for your encouragement & best wishes mate!
The real kicker is the city council has just completed, a new fully equipped, state of the art 250 seat theatre & recording studio. Which is just up the road about 10KM's away from our venue. However it is in an $8 million youth centre complex. We can't get access as we are not young enough yet, but the centre management committee, has approached our theatre group. Requesting assistance in organising & running a theatre stagecraft workshop programme for them.
While some of my mob have reservations, I think it would gives us some Brownie points & in turn boost our theatre numbers & exposure. Not saying for one moment there is anything untoward. Because the New Youth Centre being in the Mayors electorate, I doubt this has any bearing?
I believe it is as simple as they had a different architect & we had an Archyteck! But it was amassing the powers that be, seemed to have misplaced our $50 000 equipment budget, during the same period?
So in the long term it would be in our theatres interest, to always be perceived as 'the goodies' & help the Youth Club out anyway! ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 10/05/08 at 10:48am
The 'BIG IDEA' [by Nigel Holloway (Lazy Bee) dress rehearsal worked well today, considering the barriers they had to climb, getting the production to this stage.Also of the 10 cast members, 7 of which, it was their first time on stage. Accomplished more than was asked of them, thru trying circumstances, of an unfinished venue.With the assistance of my old mate Hywell [67] & hiring equipment {All Things a Theatre. We Managed to make it workable, by installing our own lighting patch circuits &
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Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 10/10/08 at 9:51am
JoeMc ... I'm curious about your smother curtains. The local school has offered a space for our rehearsals/performances, but it's one of those cafegymatoriums with horrific echoing. The price is right, however (FREE), and it would guarantee us at least one full house (the kids and staff). However, I initially looked at the space when we started out and nixed it because of the echo.
What type of material should one use? Can you purchase these smother curtains ready made? How high/low should they be hung? How do you determine where to hang them? ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |