Things you Won't Hear or See in Community Theatre

Fri, 8 May 2009, 12:24 pm

Labrug24 posts in thread

Just for fun... Please feel free to add your own ideas.

You won't hear;

"Drinks on me!"
"Looks like we're having chicken tonight!"
"I'm paying you for this crap!"
"I'm calling my agent."

You won't see;

an Artistic Director
a set WITHOUT gaffa tape
Contracts

Thread (24 posts)

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LabrugFri, 8 May 2009, 12:24 pm

Just for fun... Please feel free to add your own ideas.

You won't hear;

"Drinks on me!"
"Looks like we're having chicken tonight!"
"I'm paying you for this crap!"
"I'm calling my agent."

You won't see;

an Artistic Director
a set WITHOUT gaffa tape
Contracts

karlaeFri, 8 May 2009, 12:57 pm

You won't hear; - the

You won't hear; - the director or stage manager actually stopping the performance during the Tech run to make fix ups. - the sound of thousands of hands applauding. - "Company, this is your 5 minute call" You won't see; - any of the actors heads on upstage OP, C or PS, as the lighting designer didn't focus their lights properly and completely forgot that there is more to the stage than the downstage area. My 2 cents.

cheeky monkeySat, 9 May 2009, 09:56 am

You won't hear; - the run

You won't hear; - the run was sold out three months in advance - a director saying, "I'm spoiled for choice" - muso's in a rehearsal saying, "It doesn't matter if we are running over time, we are happy to stay and wait" - techie saying, "No I will wait until you are finished then I'll refocus it...I wouldn't dream of distracting you during a run" You won't see; - Actors without a script a week before opening - An actual design team - Audience in black tie - A program worth keeping - A convincing wig!

jeffhansenSat, 9 May 2009, 11:15 am

You won't see.... People

You won't see.... People who are there because they HAVE to be. www.meltheco.org.au

Robert WhyteSat, 9 May 2009, 06:06 pm

Unless they are Finley

Unless they are Finley Adjudicators.

LabrugSat, 9 May 2009, 08:12 pm

Brill

Brilliant - so true.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

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Rebecca JoSat, 9 May 2009, 11:01 pm

This is fun!

You won't see; -Casting in accordance with age. -Costumes from the correct era, and certainly not the right shoes... -Actors pleased with the parts they're playing. -Costume changes. -Any new choreography since the last musical. -Anyone you don't know in the audience. You won't hear; -Will there be a second run? -I thought the director made some really brave choices. -Great lighting! -I could hear every word!

karlaeSat, 9 May 2009, 11:18 pm

Ouch.. geez Rebecca. Them

Ouch.. geez Rebecca. Them some harsh words, but true nonetheless. Tell you something I didn't see tonight at the show- The lighting operator at the console until 30 secs before Act 1 opened. Good times.

jeffhansenSun, 10 May 2009, 04:08 pm

If they didn't want to be

If they didn't want to be there, they wouldn't have volunteered, would they Robert? www.meltheco.org.au

jeffhansenSun, 10 May 2009, 04:10 pm

Can't really say I agree

Can't really say I agree with too many of those, Rebecca. www.meltheco.org.au

cheeky monkeySun, 10 May 2009, 04:14 pm

I have to say I think

I have to say I think Rebecca is quite cutting but ultimately quite right Jeff.

jeffhansenSun, 10 May 2009, 04:32 pm

Seems to be that Rebecca

Seems to be that Rebecca works in Pro theatre, and is based in Melbourne. Guess she doesn't see too many commeatre productions 'round these parts. www.meltheco.org.au

cheeky monkeySun, 10 May 2009, 04:39 pm

I was unaware that this was

I was unaware that this was exclusively for those based in Western Australia. And besides, I think her observations can be observed in community theatre as a whole. I am in WA and I would certainly agree with what she has said. However, you are entitled to disagree of course Jeff.

Rebecca JoSun, 10 May 2009, 05:08 pm

Sigh...

I've worked in community theatre Jeff! That's how I know. It doesn't mean I hate community theatre, they all have varying degrees of professionalism. Some have been fantastic! It's generally just a case of limited funding. Were just having a bit of fun...no? I do work professionally (when I can), this doesn't make me a snob. This is my career. I think all communities should have theatre...

mike raineSun, 10 May 2009, 05:52 pm

It's a bit like drummer

It's a bit like drummer jokes (or viola player, or banjo, or accordian). It doesn't need to be true. It just needs a bright, shiney barb.

jeffhansenSun, 10 May 2009, 07:39 pm

We've had the Pro V Am

We've had the Pro V Am debate many times here, and the answer is still the same. There are some very polished and well put together amateur shows, just as there are some real dogs. It's the same in the pro circles. I guess I just can't help myself when I see sweeping negative statements like that. I know it was meant to be in fun, and I should have read it and moved on. *sighs and shrugs* www.meltheco.org.au

jessmessMon, 11 May 2009, 09:10 am

Blue onseys

You won't see --People rolling around in blue onseys And I think this is a very good thing. Say no to artwank! Join community theatre... ;cp (although I do like a bit of lycra)

RapunzelMon, 11 May 2009, 09:19 am

Aaaaarrrghhhhhhh!

NOT the blue onseys! Please NO! Mercy!! (nice call JessMess) You won't see anyone using old fashioned grease paint anymore, alas! I loved that stuff, smelt fantastic although it was a pain to apply and take off...sigh! "Life is too short to stuff a mushroom"

Walter PlingeMon, 11 May 2009, 01:56 pm

Let me see. An attractive

Let me see. An attractive woman with a sharp wit. Not too many of those around :) No shrinking violet obviously.

Walter PlingeMon, 11 May 2009, 02:03 pm

You won't see; -a well

You won't see; -a well constructed set -a highly imaginative director -a pay check You won't hear; -That was great! Are you going to tour?

jessmessMon, 11 May 2009, 06:40 pm

Are you kidding?

Professional theater sets are often low budget, because you need to save money to pay the actors. I've seen plenty of very well constructed community theater sets, and a far cry more professional shows playing to theater blacks.

TaureanMon, 11 May 2009, 07:09 pm

Hear Hear!!

There have been some fantastic sets built over the years for commeatre!..... One such standout that comes to mind was at Goldfields Rep (Kalgoorlie) for "Journeys End".

A WW1 underground bunker, created board by board from recycled planking and railway sleepers. So realistic in fact that as the "bombs and artillery shells" fell near it (scriptwise) the entire structure shook in response to the audio effects and sand and dust fell from the gaps and cracks in the walls and ceiling.

The final "blast", a direct hit, destroys the bunker at the end of the final act, collapsing it and showering the first three rows of the auditorium in dust..... four times a week! (and it was built on a bargain basement - pardon the pun - budget.)

Oh yeah! Things you wont see: A surplus of singing, dancing,acting males....

or a lack of love for what we do, (whether it be done be badly or well!)

Walter PlingeTue, 12 May 2009, 11:34 am

I dunno. Seeing some of the

I dunno. Seeing some of the productions at Melville Theatre... :)

Walter PlingeTue, 12 May 2009, 01:36 pm

Things you WONT see at

Things you WONT see at community theatre: A Velociraptor, Lightsabers, Woody from Toy Story, Nun-chucks on fire, Wheelbarrow full of gravy, Batman, A monkey trained to fight with sticks, Bananaman DVD... ...hang on that's my Christmas wishlist. Sorry. Jones.

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