Theatre Etiquette - Multiple Shows?

I disagree ("community theatre is more challening"). Us in the professional world also have to deal with actors/directors/crew working full-time day jobs, and particularly in profit-share work we come up with the same issues. Doing City Head this year, I had four people pull out of doing the show; my first choice was to do a one-woman show. I had an actress sorted out, who was extremely willing, but just as we got the registration done for the festival, she pulled out - she wanted to be able to accept paid work if it came along later. The other people pulled out because of various other work commitments - and all within days of committing to the show in the first place. "As an example, if a lead cast member of a show is offered, say a single day of paid-work, it is unfair to expect them to turn it down and attend rehearsals for a non-paid Community Production." It is also unfair for a lead cast member of a show to pull out of a professional, profit-share performance, and expect the director to be able to pull out another cast member at the last minute to fill the spot. Luckily, I had a friend of a friend decide to be involved, and he stayed in the show. I provide as much info to the potential cast as possible about times/dates of rehearsals and performances. I expect them to be wise enough to look at their calendar, assess their commitments, and to think about it before saying yes. If I think there is even a chance of conflict, I don't agree to something. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/