Author Topic: PEOPLE: Working with nudity  (Read 18649 times)

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aoifebella

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PEOPLE: Working with nudity
« on: Jun 27, 2006, 12:10 am »
Has anyone ever worked with totally naked actors before?  I have a show coming up which requires the male lead to be naked for the last ten minutes of the show.  So what happens for the curtain, do I hand him a robe?  How do I ensure he is comfortable in rehearsals? Are there any guidelines you all would like to suggest?  Thanks AB :)
  
« Last Edit: Jun 08, 2009, 11:39 pm by PSMKay »

KC_SM_0807

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #1 on: Jun 27, 2006, 12:51 am »
Interesting.  Although I'm not exactly sure what to do in this situation, I would say to do whatever possible to make the actor comfortable.  Talk with them and see if they would like a robe or anything else. I think it would make sense to have something for them to put on as soon as the exit the stage.  If they accepted the role, obviously they are somewhat comfortable with being nude on stage... so there may not be much of anything that you need to do.  May I ask what show it is?
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MarcieA

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #2 on: Jun 27, 2006, 12:57 am »
My experience with this leads me to say that you need to make sure the actor is comfortable above all. He accepted the role knowing what it entailed, but that doesn't mean he needs to walk around naked for all of the rehearsal process.

The show I ASMed, we didn't have the actor naked until the dress rehearsal. He did wear a robe for curtain call.

The play I did also had some graphic sex scenes in it. That was actually a closed rehearsal with only the actors, SM and the director. Maybe that's something to bring up as an option as well?
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Scott (formerly Digga)

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #3 on: Jun 27, 2006, 02:41 am »
I did both the Full Monty and W;t.  People get completely naked at the end of both of those.  Having a robe off-stage is a must.  Have either an ASM or a PA be there in the wings to hand it to him.  Slippers might be necessary as well.  Generally - it's preferrable to find someone of the same sex to hand off the robe but you can also ask if he cares one way or the other.  The rehearsals while being naked are held completely closed and often don't happen till your onstage. 

Mac Calder

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #4 on: Jun 27, 2006, 03:07 am »
See if you are able to get a body suit for the actor. The OH&S side of me instantly thinks of all the dangers in the theatre, like hot lanterns on booms in the wings. It also allows  a little bit more modesty for the actor, and speeking as a male - the bit of restraint for the dangly parts of the anatomy is always a good thing.

Whilst I would not have the actor rehearsing in the nude, I would advise that the actor practices a few times at home whilst in their birthday suit. I would encourage that the show be teched and plotted with the actor in the buff, it will allow any issues that may arrise to be solved earlier and get the cast and crew used to a naked man walking arround the stage (and more importantly, make sure the actor is a bit more comfortable).

I know I said it above, but look into getting a body suit, or some flesh toned stockings for the actor.

aoifebella

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #5 on: Jun 27, 2006, 08:30 am »
Thank you all for your suggestions.  The show is new, called The Treatment.  It's playing in NY at the start of September. I'll talk to the company about the body suit.  One of the problems we encounter in NY theatres is roaches and the odd rat.  I wouldn't want to be in the nip with those guys on the loose.  The suit may be a good thing. 

RuthNY

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #6 on: Jun 27, 2006, 09:47 am »
All the suggestions given are well thought out, but there still one missing.

Please discuss all this with your director.  If the director is prepared, he/she should have a specific plan of action when it comes to working with nudity in rehearsal.  The director really should discuss this plan with the actor to make sure he is comfortable with it, and then let you know the details. And the director and costume designer will dictate what the actor wears for bows (robe/sweats.etc.)  Generally, if it's in the bows, it is a costume and should be planned/designed as such.

If the director has not considered all this already, then you have suggestions at hand from this group.  But let your director make the decisions, and you facilitate them!  Don't take on all the planning responsibility on yourself.  The director is a huge part of this, along with the actor!

(Just my 2 cents.  I believe that directors should actually direct, and this includes decision making about the above.)
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j-la

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #7 on: Jun 27, 2006, 12:58 pm »
I stage managed Love, Valour, Compassion by Terence McNally in a 117 seat black box theatre a few years ago. All the actors are nude at some point throughout the play. The producer, director & I had many conversations on the issues that nudity in a production entail well before auditions.
We made the following decisions and these were communicated to the cast from the beginning:
#1- the actors were required to become nude at the callback. The call back audtion was closed. Only the actors, the producer, the director and I were at the table. This was to insure all actors cast were comfortable in front of both men & women being nude. 
#2- no nudity in rehearsal until we moved into the theatre. Our rehearsals were off site in a venue where we could not have the actors nude. All rehearsal runs in the theatre with nudity were closed until final dress.
#3- Robes SL & SR for all actors. This was for during the run as well as for the curtain call as the last scene of the play has all the men nude.
#4- Most importantly- I made sure all the actors felt comfortable coming to me with any concerns regarding the nudity.
Being sensitive & pro-active is important when dealing with this issue. I wa surprised- all the actors who were called back were comforatble being nude. I found the tricky part comes in the handling of the rehearsals & the performances. Rather than waiting for the actor to ask for a robe- tell him there will be one on each side of the stage. Work with the director on open/closed rehearsals - they are his /her call anyway.
 
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MatthewShiner

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #8 on: Jun 27, 2006, 04:30 pm »
My history with nudity.

1) Any nudity in rehearsal should be a closed rehearsal with just the people required for the rehearsal. 
2) Rehearsal before a run can should be done with a swimsuit.
3) Once running the show, nudity should be implemented at that time.  (Be careful in tech, you could have a nude actor for quite a while)
4) In the wings, you should have a dresser waiting with a robe.

What happens at curtain call shoud be a choice made by the costume designer and the director.

Also, besides being sensative to the actor's needs, make sure you are putting your own twist on things.  I worked with a director who was making a much bigger deal about the nudity then the actor ever would have on their own - the director's paranoia about nudity started to make the actor feel unfcomfortable.  Some people do not have a problem with being nude; so make sure no one makes it a bigger deal then it needs to be.
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kjdiehl

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #9 on: Jun 27, 2006, 07:20 pm »
Also, besides being sensative to the actor's needs, make sure you are putting your own twist on things.  I worked with a director who was making a much bigger deal about the nudity then the actor ever would have on their own - the director's paranoia about nudity started to make the actor feel unfcomfortable.  Some people do not have a problem with being nude; so make sure no one makes it a bigger deal then it needs to be.

Matt makes a great point there which hasn't yet been mentioned. While the director, costume designer, and actor are all part of these decisions, I believe that so too are you, the stage manager. Things that I draw a hard line on regarding nudity:
-All nude rehearsals are absolutely closed, no exceptions. This is usually a director's and actors' decision in normal plays, but with nudity I think you have the authority to step in and say no from the get go.
-A robe is always standing by, with an ASM or dresser on headset who can be immediately instructed to bring it out whenever necessary. If you have to hold in Tech while the actor is nude, that robe should be there instantly. Do NOT make him stand around nude while designers dither and discuss. Even if a Lighting Designer needs to work on the look for the scene and asks for a hold, robe the actor immediately, discuss with the LD his needs, work with him to have him do all he can while the actor is robed, then tell the actor that you will need him to be nude for another few minutes while the lighting designer makes his final adjustments. But every second an actor is nude onstage must be vital that he is nude.
-A robe chosen by the costume designer should be the default expectation for the curtain call and I think the stage manager should quietly encourage it and work to make it happen, until and if it becomes clear that another strong artistic choice is desired.


... and btw, what the heck is up with Terrence McNally and nudity!?? Sheesh!
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aoifebella

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #10 on: Jun 27, 2006, 09:20 pm »
Thank you so much.  You have all been very helpful.  It looks like this show is going to be a challenge and this is something I wanted to be clear about from the get go.  One less thing to worry about.:D

centaura

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #11 on: Jun 27, 2006, 09:41 pm »
I worked on a show with a female actor who had to be bare-chested for a few minutes onstage.  With her, we worked her up to full nudity starting with doing the scene with her stripped to her bra, and then worked in the nudity the week before tech.  We also did first tech with the bra to cover the enevitable frequent stops and the transition from the 'safe' cast who'd been in the rehearsals to the new additions of the crew/designers/etc.  This was for a female actor, not to stereotype, but often men are a little less sensitive about being in the buff.  But the mention of doing rehearsal in a bathing suit brought that to mind.

-Centaura

ljh007

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #12 on: Jun 28, 2006, 05:49 pm »
In my experiences with nudity onstage, I totally agree with most of what's been covered here -
1) Rehearsals with nudity are closed-sessions with essential personnel only
2) A robe and slippers are ready at all times (on both sides of the stage if necessary)
3) A solid schedule for running nudity in rech must be established. Crew needs to know when there will be nudity onstage - it can't be a surprise!
4) Everyone involved should be comfortable with the nudity (directors, actors, stage management, wardrobe)

One more tip - be very aware of the temperature of the theatre and air flow. Theatres are usually quite cold so that actors don't sweat under the lights. You might need a space heater as the actor awaits his/her entrance. Or you should at least be sure that they're not going to be standing near a drafty emergency exit door in February.

When discussing the nudity with the rest of the cast and crew, we made extra effort to remain businesslike and professional. The smallest snicker or lamest joke can seriously damage the safe environment you're trying to maintain. I also make extra effort to train my eyes on the performer's face when speaking with them - even if they're just in their robe (this is also true when visiting partially-nude performers in their dressing rooms). Even if your eye wanders innocently, it can seem weird or intimidating. Of course the performer will be sensitive to this. Looking them straight in the eye will make you seem confident and direct, too.

A final thought - even in the largest of theatres, I would avoid a body-stocking unless someone has a serious issue with nudity. It will never look right. Nudity raises the stakes. It's powerful and important (when done right). Using a body-stocking seems a childish way to shy away from the power of the artistic statement. But maybe the performer refuses to go nude; maybe the director has a hang-up and insists on a stocking; maybe the audience isn't ready for it (a valid but unfortunate call on the part of the Artistic Director). I would hope that all of these limitations could be avoided ahead of time. Before using a stocking, reconsider the nudity. It's a challenge - to the performer, production team, and especially the audience - that everyone must be ready to accept.

erin

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #13 on: Jul 03, 2006, 03:38 am »

There's rarely a need to have actors actually strip down during rehearsals.  If the rest of the cast isn't in costume....

And i have worked with more modest actors who preferred to wear a flesh-toned swimsuit or underthings for early tech rehearsals (that first time through, stopping and starting constantly), and save the full buff for dressed run through. 

avkid

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Re: Working with nudity
« Reply #14 on: Jul 05, 2006, 11:09 am »
Having just done "Hair" recently I can relate some experiences to this. The director left it completely up to the performers to decide what degree of nudity they were comfortable with anything from bodysuits and guys being shirtless and in their undershorts to full nudity.
Here's a bit of prospective from my side of the desk(I am a mixer by trade, though I have done almost anything imaginable in theatre. ) Having such a small company we try to maintain a family-like atmosphere(or at least like the "Cheers" theme song) so people can feel as comfortable on stage as possible no matter what the situation. I see this as almost the same as when I fit a wireless mic to a half dressed actor except that there is a bit more sensitivity required in these situations.

Partial "Cheers" Lyrics:

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
Philip LaDue
IATSE Local #21 Newark, NJ

 

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