What happened to Committment?
Wed, 25 Feb 2004, 10:37 amHarbour12 posts in thread
What happened to Committment?
Wed, 25 Feb 2004, 10:37 amThere used to be a saying "The show must go on".
People were committed to a particular club (or two) and that no matter how bad the play was, or how unbearable the situation, there was a commitment from everyone involved in a production to carry on. There was a dedication to the audience to go ahead. That seems to have been lost over the last few years.
Now, actors are only interested in performing for themselves - stuff the audience, and if my ego gets hurt, then there is no hestitation in pulling out - stuff the consequences. And I can understand and sympathise with some of the reasons. It is very distressing to the self when there are 'problems' with a production, or a person, that can make the rehearsals very unbearable, and I think there isn't a time in every show when I would like to quit. BUT, we are not in this for yourselves. We do this to bring entertainment to others and by pulling out of a production before it goes up is a disappointment to the audience and to everyone else involved. Not to mention the cost of reimbursement of memberships, royalties, publicity, tickets, etc.
But this appears to be the way of the future, and it's sad. Virtually every club is struggling to find committed members to run the Club, or do backstage or FOH. It is often left to a few overworked and dedicated individuals, while all the rest flitter from club to club to perform, then move on when the going gets tough.
Well, it's not good enough. That is why productions and theatre's fold - no commitment. If you are going to perform in a show, be committed, otherwise DON'T waste yours and our time coming to auditions.
There, I got that off my chest. Now, is there anyone out there that cares?
People were committed to a particular club (or two) and that no matter how bad the play was, or how unbearable the situation, there was a commitment from everyone involved in a production to carry on. There was a dedication to the audience to go ahead. That seems to have been lost over the last few years.
Now, actors are only interested in performing for themselves - stuff the audience, and if my ego gets hurt, then there is no hestitation in pulling out - stuff the consequences. And I can understand and sympathise with some of the reasons. It is very distressing to the self when there are 'problems' with a production, or a person, that can make the rehearsals very unbearable, and I think there isn't a time in every show when I would like to quit. BUT, we are not in this for yourselves. We do this to bring entertainment to others and by pulling out of a production before it goes up is a disappointment to the audience and to everyone else involved. Not to mention the cost of reimbursement of memberships, royalties, publicity, tickets, etc.
But this appears to be the way of the future, and it's sad. Virtually every club is struggling to find committed members to run the Club, or do backstage or FOH. It is often left to a few overworked and dedicated individuals, while all the rest flitter from club to club to perform, then move on when the going gets tough.
Well, it's not good enough. That is why productions and theatre's fold - no commitment. If you are going to perform in a show, be committed, otherwise DON'T waste yours and our time coming to auditions.
There, I got that off my chest. Now, is there anyone out there that cares?
Re: What happened to Committment?
Wed, 25 Feb 2004, 01:36 pmCraig K Edwards wrote:
>
> Just a few thoughts regarding your posting Rob:
>
> You seem to be talking about two different problems - (1)
> commitment to a club (helping with the committee, working
> backstage etc), and (2) commitment to a production.
Yes, but they are related. If there is no left to manage a club, were do all these 'actors' perform?? If an actor pulls out, then that often results in a cancelled show and where does that leave the audience or the club? I do believe that a lot of clubs are stuggling and may not continue because there is a lack of commitment from people to get involved with the management of the club.
Craig K Edwards wrote:
> Rob said:
>
> "If you are going to perform in a show, be committed,
> otherwise DON'T waste yours and our time coming to auditions."
>
> Now I think putting the 'commitment' requirement at the stage
> of AUDITIONING may be a bit harsh -
Why? Shouldn't the director expect some commitment from you when you come to audition? Otherwise, why should the director sit and listen when you'll just take off to audition for the next show?
My comments are really just to get a couple of things off my chest, and I do understand that most of us do this for fun, but we also have a responcibililty to the paying public that come to watch the shows. We should remember that we are performing for an audience and that NO MATTER WHAT, the show must go on.
>
> Just a few thoughts regarding your posting Rob:
>
> You seem to be talking about two different problems - (1)
> commitment to a club (helping with the committee, working
> backstage etc), and (2) commitment to a production.
Yes, but they are related. If there is no left to manage a club, were do all these 'actors' perform?? If an actor pulls out, then that often results in a cancelled show and where does that leave the audience or the club? I do believe that a lot of clubs are stuggling and may not continue because there is a lack of commitment from people to get involved with the management of the club.
Craig K Edwards wrote:
> Rob said:
>
> "If you are going to perform in a show, be committed,
> otherwise DON'T waste yours and our time coming to auditions."
>
> Now I think putting the 'commitment' requirement at the stage
> of AUDITIONING may be a bit harsh -
Why? Shouldn't the director expect some commitment from you when you come to audition? Otherwise, why should the director sit and listen when you'll just take off to audition for the next show?
My comments are really just to get a couple of things off my chest, and I do understand that most of us do this for fun, but we also have a responcibililty to the paying public that come to watch the shows. We should remember that we are performing for an audience and that NO MATTER WHAT, the show must go on.
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