Rules of the Theatre?????
Sun, 29 Aug 1999, 02:47 pmJoeMc1 post in thread
Rules of the Theatre?????
Sun, 29 Aug 1999, 02:47 pmI grab these from the rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft - newsgroup there a few authors who have added to them - freely adapted!(1. Theatre would become a very boring place to work. Because ifeveryone followed them there would be no one to bitch about aseveryone (even actors) would behave like almost ordinary people.
(Not meaning this in a very derogatory fashion. Actors are not ordinary people, if they were, they couldnt do their job properly)(2.Actors would never understand the problem with half of these rules
(Thinking particularly about 1,2,3,4....yeah! ok them all)1-Be on Time! Always!
2- Always be at rehersals unless a ligitimate reason is brought up with the director/sm before the rehersal you will miss.
3- NO TALKING BACKSTAGE!! (pet peeve of mine)
4- While on stage, always be IN CHARACTER! This includes expresion on your face, smiling/frowning when necessary, and nevr doing something that your character would not do!(For example... would a respectable millionaire be slouching
and bouncing while he walks? Nope!) (another pet peeve)
5- Never touch anyone's props, or move them without letting the person know.
6- If you don't know what it is, don't touch it!
7-Have your lines and blocking memorized long before tech or dress rehearsal!
8- If you can see the audience, they can see you...don't let that happen!!
9- If you have a personal mike, assume that it is always live!
10-While rehersals are going on, do not be talking while the director is trying to get something done, it is a huge distraction, and a pain to deal with. If you need to talk, you need to wait until it is appropriate to do so.
11- For the first part of the rehersal process, the director is in charge, but as soon as it gets to be tech rehearsal or show, it is the stage managers show! (If the sm says jump, you say how high?)
12- Be extremely careful with the costumes, especially if they are not yours!
13- Never be on stage when you are not needed, ex- during set changes, if you are not moving something, get the heck out of the way!
14- Do not touch the set when not necessary! Many set peices are extremely fragile, and extremely expensive! Be careful while around them.
15- a fun one- Before the show, take some time to get the energy flowing! Jump around, scream, do some breathing exercises...stuff to get nerves out, and energy up! Trust me, it works!
16. I am right - yes
17. You are wrong - yes
18.Be professional
19Don't smoke , drink or eat in your costume unless you are in charater and then don't spill anything.
20.Check to make sure you have the murder weapon before you go out on stage.
21.Don't PANIC!
22.When in doubt paint it black.
23.If you are afraid of missing your mark use glow tape.
24.(for Pit orchestra) stay awakeDon't watch the show; watch the conductorMake sure you have the right music and an extra bulb for the scones (stand) light
25 Here's one pulled from a recent production of Godspell involving high school students-"Please refrain from discussing the mundane into your radio microphone during the death of our Lord!"Learned a very handy one from a scenic painter a few years back.There is a magic triangle for every theatrical project.Good is one corner, Fast is in another, and Cheap is in the third.*You can only have two of the three at any given time. Assess your needs
and resources, and the triangle will help you figure out where the trouble
will be.*I always heard it as Speed, Quality, Economy. Choose two.Please if there are of the 4 Techs posting or anyone?- add to this, with your own.
I can of a few to add, but, I could be wasting my time? - not that this is a hardship - I have nothing to do, anyway!Joe
(Not meaning this in a very derogatory fashion. Actors are not ordinary people, if they were, they couldnt do their job properly)(2.Actors would never understand the problem with half of these rules
(Thinking particularly about 1,2,3,4....yeah! ok them all)1-Be on Time! Always!
2- Always be at rehersals unless a ligitimate reason is brought up with the director/sm before the rehersal you will miss.
3- NO TALKING BACKSTAGE!! (pet peeve of mine)
4- While on stage, always be IN CHARACTER! This includes expresion on your face, smiling/frowning when necessary, and nevr doing something that your character would not do!(For example... would a respectable millionaire be slouching
and bouncing while he walks? Nope!) (another pet peeve)
5- Never touch anyone's props, or move them without letting the person know.
6- If you don't know what it is, don't touch it!
7-Have your lines and blocking memorized long before tech or dress rehearsal!
8- If you can see the audience, they can see you...don't let that happen!!
9- If you have a personal mike, assume that it is always live!
10-While rehersals are going on, do not be talking while the director is trying to get something done, it is a huge distraction, and a pain to deal with. If you need to talk, you need to wait until it is appropriate to do so.
11- For the first part of the rehersal process, the director is in charge, but as soon as it gets to be tech rehearsal or show, it is the stage managers show! (If the sm says jump, you say how high?)
12- Be extremely careful with the costumes, especially if they are not yours!
13- Never be on stage when you are not needed, ex- during set changes, if you are not moving something, get the heck out of the way!
14- Do not touch the set when not necessary! Many set peices are extremely fragile, and extremely expensive! Be careful while around them.
15- a fun one- Before the show, take some time to get the energy flowing! Jump around, scream, do some breathing exercises...stuff to get nerves out, and energy up! Trust me, it works!
16. I am right - yes
17. You are wrong - yes
18.Be professional
19Don't smoke , drink or eat in your costume unless you are in charater and then don't spill anything.
20.Check to make sure you have the murder weapon before you go out on stage.
21.Don't PANIC!
22.When in doubt paint it black.
23.If you are afraid of missing your mark use glow tape.
24.(for Pit orchestra) stay awakeDon't watch the show; watch the conductorMake sure you have the right music and an extra bulb for the scones (stand) light
25 Here's one pulled from a recent production of Godspell involving high school students-"Please refrain from discussing the mundane into your radio microphone during the death of our Lord!"Learned a very handy one from a scenic painter a few years back.There is a magic triangle for every theatrical project.Good is one corner, Fast is in another, and Cheap is in the third.*You can only have two of the three at any given time. Assess your needs
and resources, and the triangle will help you figure out where the trouble
will be.*I always heard it as Speed, Quality, Economy. Choose two.Please if there are of the 4 Techs posting or anyone?- add to this, with your own.
I can of a few to add, but, I could be wasting my time? - not that this is a hardship - I have nothing to do, anyway!Joe