My first problem was blackmail. The senior male part was auditioned by one that came to several auditions. The senior female part had 11. I chose the senior man and another senior lady. (based on reading, looks, humor, etc.) When the senior man was informed, he informed me that he would quit if his wife was not cast. (she was a board member as well). Based on the timeline, and a completely paid performance, I could not delay. ( I should have recast). But accepted.

 

Second problem: The husband and wife are orators. Say a line, move, then stand a pose. repeat. over and over. All the other actors worked with improvisational moving and reactions. These two complained that their lines were covered, their audience could not see them. They slapstick did not work for them and refused to do it.  ( I should have recast).

 

Third problem: They would come into rehersal and want to change lines, because they did not like them. when told no... they did anyway. ( I should have recast).

 

Fourth problem: They continued to change blocking behind my back. When I commented to the actor who was changed during notes, I finally found out that these two were changing things to what they wanted so they could be not upstaged. ( I should have recast).

 

Fifth problem: These same two could not remember their lines on reviewer night or stayed in character. (like it was deliberate). Unfortunately, the reviewer likes and knows them personally and only commented how great they were and no one else. (including the audience cheering showstopping performance of a single young actor who got the loudest and longest appaluse during his performance and at bows.)

 

Sixth problem: Hateful emails were sent to actors, boardmembers etc, from these two seperately (and not in sync. sometimes with conflicting info) complaining about how the show sucked, bad acting by others, me, other board members... (hanging head low)....

 

How does a commuity theater, who are all volunteers, handle people like this? I obviously did not do well. 

 

Any words of wisdom would be helpful. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number Two: Discuss the situation openly in the next board meeting.  The worst that can happen is they blame you and you don't direct there again.

Thanks. The board meeting is Sat. and I am attending. Well, interesting enough, the lady resigned from the board the other day. (with a scathing email).

Thanks for your input. This will be discussed Sat.

 

Rob

Rudy, I thank for your wonderfully articualte post. I doubt we are talking about the same individuals.Now that I think about it, we see people like this in other community theaters, pawn shops, and train stations all the time. 

 

But then, I was asking for help, you appear not to have any.

 

 

Sadly, this same couple was asked to leave another theater company due to similar problems in the same metro area.

 

So Ir... I mean Rudy, please be open and honest. Your bias is showing. 

 

This happens sometimes.  You had integrety and used your own name.  Apparently one of the Atkins found out about the thread and chose to give their own side of the story, but was not willing to use their given name.  On the other hand I did read a review from the LV Review -Journal which had good things to say about the Atkins and questionable things to say about the directing.  Beware giving out too much information.

Has anyone else had dealings with this couple?

If so, how were they?

Is this realy a one time thing or is this a patern?

 

I understand that this one group has had problems with them, but what about everyone else?

Surly this is not the only group in the valley.

pdavis69 wrote:  "On the other hand I did read a review from the LV Review -Journal which had good things to say about the Atkins and questionable things to say about the directing.  Beware giving out too much information."

pdavis69, did you miss item FIVE in the initial entry?

"Fifth problem: These same two could not remember their lines on reviewer night or stayed in character. (like it was deliberate). Unfortunately, the reviewer likes and knows them personally and only commented how great they were and no one else. (including the audience cheering showstopping performance of a single young actor who got the loudest and longest appaluse during his performance and at bows.)"

 

C'mon, we all know people like this.  It doesn't mean we have to, or even SHOULD accept this kind of behavior from anyone.  The fact that one of them tried to defend the behavior under an assumed name (it was OBVIOUS), bears out they are what has been said of them.

Isn't this modern internet age wonderful?