This is an interesting topic! And one dear to the hearts of many Stage Mangers in the UK... The Old School (Actors and SMs) seem to think that a sense of "theatre etiquette" is being lost whereas the new seem to think of the old fashioned traditions, of using Mr/ Mrs., are fuddy-duddy and pompous! I take a middle ground, leaning slightly more towards the old school if anything, mainly because of my training and the companies I've worked with...
Looking through old rehearsal notes I seem to have developed a sub-conscious system that is consistent throughout all the notes.
- All Directors, MDs, Designer and Creatives I always refer to as Miss, Ms. or Mr. Last-Name (e.g. Mr. Smith). I also use this form for other "dignitaries" like the Artistic Director etc.
- Stage Management & Technical Department personal (including Me & HoDs etc.) I refer to as First Initial & Last Name (e.g. J Smith).
- And for the company I use Mr/ Miss/ Ms First Name & Last Name (e.g. Mr. John Smith). I would NEVER refer to a member of the cast on the a rehearsal or show report soley by their character name just as I wouldn't address them by this in the rehearsal room! I might if it was a costume note for example say "Mr. John Smith (playing the role of Romeo) ...". I was always taught however that it was REALLY rude to refer to actors solely by their character name and this has stuck forever. I also use this form for anyone else I might refer to on my reh. report...
As for actual backstage calls these always take the form of, if its to the whole company; Ladies and Gentlemen of the [SHOW NAME] Company... or if it's for individual actors just the Title & Last Name (e.g. Mr. Smith this is your call please. Mr. Smith your call. Thank You!). If I call the orchestra then its always "MDs Title & Last Name (Mr. Smith) and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Orchestra...".
On call sheets its the same as on Rehearsal Reports e.g. Mr. John Smith or Ms. Joanna Smith... And on the signing-in sheet I'm with Mac, I do "Last Name, First Name" (e.g. Smith, John). On the signing in sheet these would be in Alphabetical Order by Last Name under a header for each department eg. Direction, Design/ Creative, Stage Management, Technical Staff, The Company.
Finally as for Dressing Rooms I always use the Full Name and Title (including Middle Intial if its part of the actors professional name) e.g. Mr. John A Smith.
I'm also equally as anal with lists and calls where ladies must always come first followed by men (all in alphabetical order of course!) Working with some real "Musical Theatre Divas" I've learned the importance of the magical words "its all alphabetical!"
I quite like the formality of traditional theatre but there is a limit, I would never say in the Rehearsal Room "Mr. Smith" or "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Company" (like I would on paperwork or over a backstage call) ... it would be more like "john" and "guys!" !
I hate to say it but perhaps, again, this level of formality is a British thing...
Sam x