Author Topic: PRE-PRODUCTION: Reading a play for the first time  (Read 10142 times)

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ReyYaySM

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PRE-PRODUCTION: Reading a play for the first time
« on: Jan 17, 2009, 07:43 pm »
I had some free time today so I decided that I would read one of the plays that I'm going to be stage managing later this season.  I sat down with the intention of merely reading for enjoyment and to get a sense of the show since it is a play that I'm not familiar with.  However, I wasn't even half-way through the stage directions on the first page of dialogue when my mind switched into SM mode.  I started taking mental notes of props, entrances and exits, even how I thought we would need to schedule scenes for costume fittings.  I'm doing this show four months from now and yet I couldn't stop thinking of the play from a stage management point of view.  

Has anyone else had this experience?  When do you usually do a first read of the plays you will be working on?   What is your typical approach to a first read?  

« Last Edit: Jun 09, 2009, 02:39 am by PSMKay »

ChaCha

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #1 on: Jan 17, 2009, 09:05 pm »
Ah yes. In theory I read for enjoyment , overall sense of the play first, Then go back and started extracted lists. But it is hard to do. I found it was something I got better at in time. Just keep trying is my only advice.

Do you have the same problem when you go to watch someone else's show?
ChaCha

Thespi620

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #2 on: Jan 17, 2009, 11:59 pm »

I do this, even with shows I have no intention to work on-just something I picked up to read in my spare (haha!) time.  I think I'm starting to get used to it, though.  I've kind of accepted that it will happen, and I find that if I read it without any pens, pencils, paper, highlighters, computers, etc nearby, I have nothing to take notes with, and therefore I'm able to turn the SM voice off--can't record a plot anywhere, have to just dive into the story. 

I haven't had too much of a problem yet with seeing other shows, but I'm sure that's on the way  ;)
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jspeaker

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #3 on: Jan 18, 2009, 12:31 am »
I can only read a play for pleasure if I am NOT doing it.  I tried to read it once then read again and take notes but that has never happened so I just gave up.  Now whenever I sit down to read a script I have my production analysis ready to go.

When do I read it?  As soon as I can.

As for shows I see... yeah I am the worst about that.  I am the worst when a cue is obviously and horribly late.  I actually jumped once and kinda felt bad about it because I was sitting in front of the booth.
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killerdana

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #4 on: Jan 18, 2009, 03:17 am »
I honestly can't remember the last time I read a play for pleasure.  Not that I don't like reading plays, I just can't turn off the voice in my head (it also talks to me every time I see a play I'm not involved in).  I have to stick to books only, if I want to relax while I read.
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MatthewShiner

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #5 on: Jan 18, 2009, 03:23 am »
I try to avoid reading the play, and wait for first read thru to get the full effect.

(Oddly, I still "read" the play for paperwork, but it something else entirely.)

Why ruin the surprise by reading the play ahead of time.  God knows I am going to see it enough.
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RuthNY

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #6 on: Jan 18, 2009, 09:33 am »
I've never been an avid play reader, but for different reasons.  No, it's not because I break down every play I read as if I were working on it, but because plays (to me) are not written to be read, but are meant to be performed or interpreted by actors.  They were written to be watched, brought to life onstage. And, as I am not a director, I don't picture sets, lights, staging, costumes, actors when I read a play.  It's different with a work of fiction, somehow I can picture everything when I read a good book.  But not with a play. I guess part of me is waiting for a director and designer's visions. 

But, like Matt, when I'm working, I read the play for paperwork in pre-production, and then wait for the read-through to take additional notes and really get a sense of story. (Thanks for feeling so free to admit that, Matt.  It makes it easier for me to get in line there with you!)

As for watching plays, my favorite thing is to go the theatre and NOT notice the SM's work.  I want the play and the production to be so good that I am entirely entranced by the story and the emotions behind it, for two hours or so. My best evenings in the theatre have been those, when I forget for a while that I know all about the backstage workings and am truly an audience member.  After all, that's how I want you to feel when you come to a show I'm working on.  I don't want the audience noticing my work at all!! I want them to be one with the transcendent power of the whole theatrical experience.
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Scott (formerly Digga)

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #7 on: Jan 18, 2009, 09:57 am »
I'm with Matthew on this one - I'll go through it for SM purposes if necessary but generally don't get involved in reading the play before the 1st read-through.  I like to have the actors voices that will be doing it go through my head as opposed to me putting my own spin on things ahead of time.  I like to give a natural 1st reaction to the reading which seems to be good for the actors.

damjamkato

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #8 on: Jan 18, 2009, 01:53 pm »
For school I just had to read "Inherit the Wind".  It was very hard for me not to get out a piece of paper and start making lists.  Although I did very well on the test, because I remembered all of the minute details that are important for SM's but not very important for others.

geoffsm

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #9 on: Jan 18, 2009, 02:52 pm »

I do this, even with shows I have no intention to work on-just something I picked up to read in my spare (haha!) time. 

I do this all the time, lol.  I'll be sitting there thinking about the large number of props or how a potential cue sequence might be difficult.

But, in general, I read a play that I will be working on for pleasure first.  Generally, I'm really pressed for time to do this, but I try my best to get it done.  It is really hard not to dive right in with breakdowns and lists, but I'm usually able to repress the urge to skip to the next step in my process.  For example, I'm SMing 3 shows this summer for the Post Playhouse.  Since I already have the scripts and scores, I'm beginning to read through and begin pre-production.  I'm at least vaguely familiar with all three shows, but I'm still making it a point to read through each one before working on production breakdowns, etc.  BUT, like I said the luxury of time is not one that I always have.  It seems to be harder for me to suppress the urge to begin thinking like an SM on the first read through when I KNOW that I don't have much time.

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #10 on: Jan 18, 2009, 03:20 pm »
It really depends on time for me. I also seem to follow Matt, where I will skim through it for tech aspects, but not really pay attention to the story until the first read.

As for going to plays I find it's hard to get into "audience" mode, and just enjoy what I'm watching. The worst thing I do is find myself timing scene shifts/quick changes in my head.

Thespi620

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #11 on: Jan 18, 2009, 04:00 pm »
The worst thing I do is find myself timing scene shifts/quick changes in my head.
I do this.  Most of the time the other technical aspects of the show don't clutter my brain and, like I said, I can usually watch a show as 'real' audience, but when the stage is dark for longer than 2 seconds, I start timing.  (This is probably something I picked up from my first director, who hated a dark stage and was notorious for running scene shifts for 30-60 min apiece until they were as short as possible. our crews were insanely fit by the end of tech :D)
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javnine

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #12 on: Jan 18, 2009, 05:34 pm »
I don't read plays for pleasure; I read fiction. 

If I'm seeing a play, I'm the one who sits down before it starts and then immediately turns around to figure out where the booth is, what kind of intelligent lights they have, where the spot ops are, etc.  If there's a really cool effect, the end of Act 1 in Equus for example, the SM in me starts screaming "How did they do that?  Is that safe?  AH!"  I'll almost always comment on the designs before commenting on the story.  I just accept it as who I am and how I view theatre.

The play I read in school and remember geeking out on was Poor Superman which is nothing but a cueing nightmare for the SM because of incessant projections.

yoyomankind

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #13 on: Jan 21, 2009, 12:07 am »
I've never been an avid play reader, but for different reasons.  No, it's not because I break down every play I read as if I were working on it, but because plays (to me) are not written to be read, but are meant to be performed or interpreted by actors. 

I agree this this a lot Ruth.  I've always had a problem trying to visualize every aspect of the play if I'm just dry reading it.  But I agree with Matthew too, I will read the play through once in order to start on my pre-production of the show.  Also to prepare myself for any large challenges that the show might have.

zayit shachor

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Re: Reading a play for the first time
« Reply #14 on: Jan 21, 2009, 01:00 am »
I'm an english major in addition to a theater major, and I read a LOT of plays each semester.  Personally, I love to read plays as literature; reading a play should be a different experience than seeing a play.  I find that if I'm studying a play (as opposed to reading it for fun) I don't tend to lapse into "SM mode."  Having a production-oriented attitude toward a play can be helpful in a class, but it's also nice to delve into the language in a way we don't really get to as stage managers.

 

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