Sing Prima Donna Once More: The Pitfall of Community Theatre
"I'm sorry, I simply cannot take off my jacket while reciting lines," the actor says to the director.
"Really?"
The rest of the cast stands on the stage, watching the actor contest a note the director has given him.
"Yes," says the actor, resolutely, "I just wish you knew how hard it was."
"To take your jacket off during your monologue?" The director raises his eyebrows and begins to take off his sweatshirt as he continues his notes. "Because, that's what I'm doing, and it's not really hard at all."
This is an exchange I actually heard this week during notes after a rehearsal. Right now I'm in a show at a local community theatre company, and conversations like this one between the director and actors who have been at the theatre for +20 years have become commonplace. While most of the cast in the example above had a hard time keeping a straight face, the actor speaking was dead serious. He'd been at this theatre for 23 years, and he was going to do what he wanted, no matter what anyone else said.
This is something that I have, sadly, found in many community theatres: actors who are heavily involved in the theater company think they have more authority than the people behind the show. These individuals undoubtedly know a lot about theatre, and are talented, but demand special treatment. It's terribly frustrating to everyone, including their fellow cast mates, because, while everyone appreciates the work the involved individual does, there is a reason someone else is directing the show.
As actors, our role is to bring to life the vision the director has in his or her head, and it's important to remember that, no matter how important you are to ANY organization, there is a reason why you are where you are. Stay humble, theatre peeps.
Agree? Disagree? Have you had a similar experience? Comment below!
"Really?"
The rest of the cast stands on the stage, watching the actor contest a note the director has given him.
"Yes," says the actor, resolutely, "I just wish you knew how hard it was."
"To take your jacket off during your monologue?" The director raises his eyebrows and begins to take off his sweatshirt as he continues his notes. "Because, that's what I'm doing, and it's not really hard at all."
This is an exchange I actually heard this week during notes after a rehearsal. Right now I'm in a show at a local community theatre company, and conversations like this one between the director and actors who have been at the theatre for +20 years have become commonplace. While most of the cast in the example above had a hard time keeping a straight face, the actor speaking was dead serious. He'd been at this theatre for 23 years, and he was going to do what he wanted, no matter what anyone else said.
This is something that I have, sadly, found in many community theatres: actors who are heavily involved in the theater company think they have more authority than the people behind the show. These individuals undoubtedly know a lot about theatre, and are talented, but demand special treatment. It's terribly frustrating to everyone, including their fellow cast mates, because, while everyone appreciates the work the involved individual does, there is a reason someone else is directing the show.
As actors, our role is to bring to life the vision the director has in his or her head, and it's important to remember that, no matter how important you are to ANY organization, there is a reason why you are where you are. Stay humble, theatre peeps.
Agree? Disagree? Have you had a similar experience? Comment below!
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