Rehearsing Mid-Season

I won't name show or anything else incriminating, but that's what we are about to do.
What is there general opinion on Hastily called Mid-Season Rehearsals?
When I say mid-season, I mean the show has already performed to live audiences (as opposed to dead ones ;-) and suddenly a rehearsal is called.
I personally do not like the idea. Fair enough if it a very long season, and I mean long. Fair enough if it had been planned earlier in the piece (like before the show goes up.)
But really, I don't how to feel about this one. I'm upset, that much I do know, but why?
Thoughts?
Jeff "Con-fused" Watkins

Just possibly the Director thought it needed it?????????

Because some directors are precious creatures and can't learn to let go.

Because some directors are precious creatures and can't learn to let go.

Hi Jeff
I guess my first reaction is "huh? why?"
If the show was not adequately rehearsed and ready for opening night, why was it allowed to go on? Far too often - he says, somewhat guiltily - i see shows that are not ready, going on regardless. Sure they improve during the run. But the opening night audience pays the same as a closing night audience and they perhaps have a right to expect a similar quality of performance.
I concur with your examples, Jeff. A "rehearsal" during a long season is probably not a bad idea. And, particularly if you are working with a new script under development, perhaps you would reserve the right ahead of time to amend and adapt material as you see what is working and what is not. There may even be a situation where the particular style of the piece requires constant reworking - but as you have suggested, that's hardly suddenly calling actors for a rehearsal in the middle of a run.
It's not uncommon to hear of actors getting together after a long break in a season to run a few keys scenes or even to "run lines". I'm not endorsing the idea, but it does happen and sometimes probably with very good reason. I believe a policy requiring actors to rehearse fight and stunt scenes before every performance is an excellent idea. But i don't know that i'd call any of these last examples a rehearsal - the objectives are very different.
So i return to my original question "why?" What purpose is the rehearsal intended to serve? If the objectives have not been clearly explained to the actors, then i would think it is only natural that they would feel "threatened" by the idea.
Perhaps, Garry is right when he suggests that the director is being and precious and not letting go? Sheesh if the director doesn't have faith and confidence in the actors to let them get on with it after opening night - how bad would that make you feel?
I'd only temper these thoughts with an experience where i was told by an actor, in no uncertain terms, that they would not accept any notes from me after opening night and that only amateur (funny, the actor seemed to think "amateur" was a perjorative) directors tried to give any.
I'll cop it sweet for perhaps not realising that this actor was feeling sensitive about their performance and not choosing my moment better. But the notion that a director's job finishes as the curtain rises on the opening night is utter nonsense.
A director's responsibility doesn't end until the set is dismantled and packed away, the last items of costume have been stored and the final accounts and reports presented to the committee.
I've experienced a few very different directors. Without exception, i've always appreciated a director popping in a few times during the run see how things are going, to enthuse, encourage and offer a few fresh thoughts and constructive criticisms.
Cheers
Grant

Grant Malcolm wrote:
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>If the show was not adequately rehearsed
>and ready for opening night, why was it
>allowed to go on?
Feelings echoed here Grant. "It'll be right on the night" is believed in too much I feel.
>So i return to my original question "why?"
>What purpose is the rehearsal intended to
>serve?
It's a lines-run (something I had been suggesting if one form or another before the show went up!) but what is a lines run really? Especially this late in the piece.
I was in one show where the actos and Director confered after every show and added something new everynight. That was a Slap-stick one-acter tho' and it was fun. For some reason, I feel disappointed and upset that this unexpected meeting was called. I find I'm blaming myself for not being good enough, and at the same time feeling the director is Tactless. Plus the fact that I had requested such a meeting BEFORE the show went up hurts just that bit more.
Jeff "Excuse the Sob Story" Watkins

Norma Davis wrote:
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Just possibly the Director thought it needed it?????????
Then it needed it BEFORE THE SHOW STARTED.
Jeff "Not after, Before" Watkins

Possibly the object is to find out why there is a rehearsal call - it might be needed -
I am sure there are lots of reasons for a mid run call - I do it all the time, but they are scheduled ( besides the emergency ones) as a Cue to Cue, Fish or Warm Up calls for the whole cast & crew.
One thing I won¹t do is give notes and also attempt not to be hang around 'behind the pro' giving comments and getting in the way prior to Beginners Call or before going up - that¹s the S.M¹s job (only to say hello or chookas), but after the show that¹s a different story, although I try not to invade the S.M¹s territory directly and only work thru them.
Most good Directors or S.M¹s give a plausible reason for any such urgent calls - So have you found out why yet Jeff?
Joe McCabe

Joe Mccabe wrote:
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>Possibly the object is to find out why there
>is a rehearsal call - it might be needed -
>I am sure there are lots of reasons for a
>mid run call - I do it all the time, but
>they are scheduled ...
And there's a difference. This was sprung on use after the most recent show. Walks in after show, says "How about we have a lines run next ... at about ..." or words to that effect.
>Most good Directors or S.M¹s give a
>plausible reason for any such urgent calls -
>So have you found out why yet Jeff?
I have been left with personal guesses only. No reason has been given to me at least.
Jeff "Out of the Loop" Watkins

Well it turns out that I may have jumped the gun a bit. It was revealled to me that cast members were either aware or requested this rehearsal.
I am also advised that Mid-season rehearsals are quiet frequent in the eastern states and other countries. I have to say that this is the first time I have experienced such a thing. That's a first in 25 shows.
I apologise to any that may have been offended by my comments but they were more an expression of personal confusion than anything else.
Jeff "Before My Time" Watkins

Get them to give you examples of these mid-season rehearsals, possibly even a contact. Otherwise how you know they're not brushing you off?

Been a while since i have been here....
Gee, I remember the last time I didn't name names/companies etc and some details....It was indicated that I was not a very nice person for doing just that. (now that hurt cause i am nice - most of the time) eh eh eh
I think sometimes that its better to not name 'persons/companies/etc' to save any embarrasment or need for comment from the said parties. It does, however, open up the discussion to a wider field as sometimes people are less likely to comment if they know who they are talking about...(heaven forbid it could be a friend/associate/committee member or some such person or company you would not normally feel comfortable disagreeing or even agreeing with etc.
I really am only drawing from my experience and haven't even read the rest of the thread of this comment, and just hope that you too haven't been tackled on this issue.
Teri...(bet you missed me) Welch
(now i shall go read the thread)

Hi Jeff
Jeff Watkins wrote:
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> Well it turns out that I may have jumped the gun a bit. It was revealled to me that
> cast members were either aware or requested this rehearsal.
hehe and what were you doing when you should have been listening?
> I am also advised that Mid-season rehearsals are quiet frequent in the eastern
> states and other countries. I have to say that this is the first time I have experienced > such a thing. That's a first in 25 shows.
Extraordinary authority this out-of-town-knowledge - in my book that's called reverse parochialism and i'm highly skeptical of it.
i don't care who claims to have done it. Rehearsals are like acting, they are done with purpose and intent. Additionally, they should have measurable outcomes. If you don't begin a rehearsal with a clear objective in mind and finish with the thought that x, y, and z were accomplished, you've wasted the company's time.
i trust there were far better reasons to hold the rehearsal than because they "are quite frequent in the eastern states and other countries". Otherwise your only measurable outcome might have been to increase the frequency with which they are done.
> I apologise to any that may have been offended by my comments but they were
> more an expression of personal confusion than anything else.
i think anyone that seriously took offence at your very modest query , must be extraordinarily thin-skinned.
Cheers
Grant

Why all the angst about 'mid-season' rehearsing?
Is everyone so sure of themselves that they object to a refresher after several days without a performance?????
It's the Director's prerogative to decide and you should be gracious enough to accept!

Well, we all know what you're like with your lines, Norma.

Anonymous wrote:
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Well, we all know what you're like with your lines, Norma.
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I don't.
If you wish to engage in anonymous, petty, character assassination, that is your business, but do not presume to speak for me.
I sign my own name to my opinions.
Grant

Grant Malcolm wrote:
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>hehe and what were you doing when you should
>have been listening?
Guess I was focus on giving my best performance ;-)
>i trust there were far better reasons to
>hold the rehearsal than because they "are
>quite frequent in the eastern states and
>other countries".
I think this tact was used to tell me this sort of thing is not unheard of, not so much a reason.
Jeff "What's done is done" Watkins

N.D. I understand what you are trying to say and I thank you for your thoughts. I guess what upset me the most was the fact that it was sudden and unexpected. I have explained that this was due to a lacking in communication on my part, and have apologised for any conclusions I jumped to.
My first impression was that as the rehearsal was so hastily organised (as I saw at the time) that it was somehow a reflection on the performance of the Cast. I was hurt and upset by this as I felt that everyone involved was giving their best and working hard, and that it didn't seem to be enough. So lacking that a rehearsal had to be called to fix things. It's a bit hard to not take these sorts of things personally.
Norma said;
>It's the Director's prerogative to decide
>and you should be gracious enough to accept!
Maybe you're right, but it doesn't stop the humbling feelings that can be evoked by such an event. Also, I get the feeling by your comments that you thought I was attacking the Director. Correct me if I'm wrong, but at no time did I feel that blame needed to be laid anywhere or on anyone, nor did I mention such an thing in my initial posting. I was PERSONALLY upset at the thought that I and the Cast were not performing to acceptable standards. That was the reason behind my posting. I intended no personal attacks nor insults. I mearly was looking for other opinions on the events.
Jeff "Sincerely" Watkins

Is this the Royal "We"?
Are you scared that I'll come and take a machete to you? Pray don't hide your light under the proverbial bushel (or bush)