Would you say anything to him?

 

Meanwhile, I think I'll take and spread your advice:  "#$%^ Him, lets put on a great show in spite of it all!!!"

 

Thanks!

your presentation carefully so that it does not appear as an attack.  Maybe have others fron the production with you to back up the allegations.  Use tact and diplomacy.  Present the list of grievences and force your Board of Trustees to act now.  Either this directorial dictator mend his was immediately or he is out. 

     This situation is not only bad the the production.  It is dangerous to your organization and its future existance. 

I am so frustrated.  One of our dancers walked last night because of ill treatment.  I know she'd come back if an apology was issued, but I don't think the Director even sees how he's acting as a problem.

 

I spoke out in support of the dancer and voiced my concerns about how the cast is being treated, to no avail.

 

It has been my experience that directors who tend to be dictatorial and abusive ALWAYS have a show that is mediocre at best.  The best shows (both in terms of production values and enjoyable experiences) are directed by people who welcome contributions (suggestions) by the cast and crews and encourage experimentation during early rehearsals.  The egocentric fools forbid it.

 

As far as who to tell:  The Producer.  It's his/her job to be the communication between cast and director.

 

I know everyone told you to go to the board, but if this fool is president, find a new theatre group after this show.

Thanks to you all for your support.  We survived and put on a great, great show despite the degradation.

 

 

I must come clean, when I said I "spoke out in support" of the dancer leaving, I actually should have said I started by "speaking" and ended by yelling.  The director yelled back, and we left it that way.

 

That night, I did contact the Board by email and insist they send a representative to rehearsals.  They hesitated because they had a policy of not interfering with a show.  I pointed out that the Director was an employee of theirs who was screwing up and it was their responsibility. 

 

 

I apologized to the director (I shouldn't have yelled), he apologized to me.  He walked on eggshells for the rest of the run.

 

I called on past volunteers to help get us up and ready by opening.  We had a dozen experienced people swarming the place finishing set, costumes, etc. the two days before opening.  THAT was cool.

 

As for permanent changes- I had a cast member who was going to write a letter to the Board about the situation (after the show), but he was then cast in the next show and decided not to shoot himself in the foot.

 

I know two people from the cast who say they won't work with this director again.  A third won't work with the organization at all, regardless of who is directing.  I'm torn- I don't want to go through that again, but maybe I could put some conditions in place to help the next situation.  Or maybe I'll move on.

 

Overall, some losses, but it could have been worse. 

 

Thanks, again, for your support.

Directing is Crafting a Performance!

I have never understood theatrical directors who chose to yell, scream, make public displays, tear down actors and even reduce them to an emotional episode of catharsis. This, to me, is not a sign of genius. Bullying and other forms of coercion only engenders resentment and fear among a cast or crew.

 

 Perhaps it is because I am well trained in psychology, motivation and suggestion as well as most acting techniques and in a wide range of physicality, I have never had to raise my voice at a rehearsal with an actor. It may work for some - but for myself and my cast - it does not bring the necessary reaction nor nurtures creativity.

 

Rather than giving personal notes publicly, I always prefer to speak with an actor privately. This may well be why actors eagerly ask me for line readings.

To craft a performance with an actor, the director is not a manipulator but a developer. She/he is a doctor with many tools and techniques and chooses exactly what is needed with that actor, for that moment in the script that fits the actor. These tools each a have a general name: Quintilian, Stanislovski, Adler, Suzuki, Grotowsky, Meisner, Myerhold, Strasberg, Spolin, Brecht - just to name a few.

Not every director is a dramatic teacher. Each has her/his own talents as well as limitations. There are some that are incredible vision with lighting, sound and other aspects of production.

 

The fact that so many actors repeatedly seek to work with me as their director, I find extremely flattering and feel it is the highest compliment I can be paid by an performer.  

 

 

 

If your CT allows the President to direct a show,  you are asking for problems. Add it as a Policy or change your bi-laws that the President can NOT direct a show. No theater I have been involved in allows this. But I know many do because they haven't thought about it.

It is a big NO NO!!!!!

They are the PRESIDENT of the theater - there is no where to go from there if you have complaints (well there is but what would the outcome be?)

"They are the PRESIDENT of the theater - there is no where to go from there if you have complaints (well there is but what would the outcome be?)"

I'm not sure how it is elsewhere but our President answers to the board.  He is the head of the board but there are another eight members.  Presidents can be removed, sanctioned or talked to just like any other member.  They are not above the rules.  Remember they are a person just like everyone else, they are not God.  OUr President doesn't even get a vote unless there is a tie.

See below. Got an error message when I posted this (erased post), and thought it hadn't gone through.

.

Here's what you do. Get your cast together and tell them that if they want to walk out, en masse, it's fine by you. He spreads it around that an entire cast walked out on him, he's the one with **** on his face.

 

What's the worst that can happen?! New president of the Board in  a month, maybe. No more actors taking cr*p from that sunuvabeech, definitely.

 

C'mon, just do it....sheeesh....!!