Author Topic: CAST: Practical jokes on final performance?  (Read 9602 times)

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loebtmc

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Re: CAST: Practical jokes on final performance?
« Reply #15 on: Aug 18, 2010, 02:51 am »
I am ok with things that keep the cast having fun with private entertainments that neither disrupt the flow nor detract from the story - I have tales from the road - (and clearly, Mr Shiner is a champion when it comes to practical jokes, given the creative and bizarre nature of his farewell from the Shakespeare Theater Company) but anything that affects how our audience sees the show, anything that challenges safety or changes cues or affects another actor's performance - that is unprofessional and unacceptable. As Matt said, these folks have paid good money to see the same show, and for the first/only time, on closing as they would see any other night.

Rebbe

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Re: CAST: Practical jokes on final performance?
« Reply #16 on: Aug 18, 2010, 11:43 am »
  I try not to be such a downer about everything.

Upholding certain standards for what behavior is acceptable does not make you “a downer”.  It just makes you a professional.  If the students you are working with really hope to make a career in theater, you’re not doing them any favors by letting them get away with jokes that affect the performance.  If they continue that behavior in more professional settings, they’ll just appear immature.  One of the joys of working in theater is that it can be a lot of fun, and humor and jokes abound.  But we are also in theater to put on a good show for the audience (not just amuse ourselves), and if joking will interfere with that, it's not appropriate.  If this is something your cast can learn in school, I think they'll be the better for it.     
"...allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster."  (Philip Henslowe, Shakespeare In Love)

 

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