My problem: 

 

1.  Play is original, written as a historical drama about our community.  Therefore, no one knows anything about it and it has no track record.

 

2. Many of the cast members have issues with coming to rehearsal on time or at all, with last minute calls to my cell phone or no call at all.  I really have no actor pool to pull from as many, other than elementary school plays, have NO experience.  I'm still trying to cast/re-cast this show because of the committment issues from the cast.  It is all volunteer and relatively no experience.

 

Any suggestions on how to motivate the novices who have basically not ever heard the applause or felt great after a performance?

 

From the original inhabitants to the Scots Highlanders,

to the timber, fishing, shrimping, and seaport days,

through the lovely marshes

(including the bloody one down the road)

to the fantastic riverside food at

(guess I won't mention the names

but I've enjoyed them immensely)!

 

Wish I could help with your problem,

but it sounds like you bit off quite a chunk.

 

I applaud you on several levels:

Starting a theatre program, choosing an original play

to do so, one with a local historical bent,

and helming it while most of your compatriots

aren't fully aware of the problems you're dealing with.

 

Other than sympathy and understanding,

all I can offer is to start with small groups

who have given you their best times to work,

Prompt them  to "own" their part and duties,

Merge the scenes into other smaller sections

then, with the last few weeks devoted to the

whole script, hopefully they will have invested

enough into the production to follow through.

 

In short, you have to make the job their own,

with all the responsiblities therein.

 

All the best,

 

 

Thank goodness I have a dedicated Board behind me.  We have worked hard to create this organization and actually get this done.  It has taken us over a year and half just to raise money.  Now we are looking for the future!

 

The seafood here is wonderful!  Always fresh off the boats and cooked to perfection in most restaurants around here.

 

Ya'll just say a prayer for the fool in Darien who is chewing this huge chunk as fast as she can!

 

I have not been involved with the Swamp Gravy group, but we are sort of modeling our group after theirs.  It is our goal to have a group that can bring people by just the theatre we create.  Bit lofty I suppose, but it's fun all the same.  Rehearsals are getting better.  Tuesday and Wednesday nights are now a dream with all parts cast and people actually showing up.  Thursday nights which is a big chunk of Act 1, I would gladly shove that to the waste basket and only do Act 2...but we can only hope, huh?  I'm now reading scripts for the next production due probably in September and then one original McIntosh Humbug for Christmas.  I think I've lost my marbles....anyone seen them?

 

A

With a 60 plus cast, which includes walk-ons, I didn't do a makeup or dress rehearsal tonight.  We did that last week.