intervals

...agree that they should be 20mins total (so with a warning to the house at 10mins and a call for them to be seated at 5mins). And if you've got a tiny house and it's not too difficult for the actors and/or crew (in a show right now where the lead has a mammoth transformation to make during interval & the tiny stage crew are working like crazy just to be ready for Act 2 with a massive set transformation), then you could bring it back to 15mins total. As for blackouts, thought Robert's input was constructive and accurate. But am aware that there's the 'ideal' way of operating and then there's the compromises to be made when you're 'on the ground' working your butt off with little or no support. If we could learn to work more synergistically without anyone's egos getting bruised or 'identities' being threatened it would be a real boost to the community theatre scene IMHO. I certainly don't have 'all' the answers. No one does. That's the point! PS. A workshop would be great. But the only problem is, you'd probably be preaching to the converted; and you also have the added issue of how incredibly difficult it is to get anyone who is willing and able to make an ongoing commitment to working back stage. But even if more actors could be trained in the art of contributing it could alleviate some pressure on stage management and the already over burdened Directors. Not ideal to have actors doubling as crew I know, but a few small contributions can sometimes make a world of difference.