PROFESSIONALISM: cell phones onstage

[Jonas_A]

The bucket idea sounds like an excellent one - I think I'll start enforcing that at my rehearsals. I'm amazed at your case, little_owl - didn't someone tell them to stop it?  The biggest issue I've seen is techs on phones, personally. More than once I've actually whipped out my own and sent them a text that says "Do some work". Doesn't matter whether they're next to me or just ignoring me from the desk - hasn't failed yet!

[gelo141]

Working with the kids that I work with (middle schoolers) I often have the same problem.  Ive given some thought as why it occures.  Heres my thoughts as to the psudopsychology. It is the opposite of what the actors are trying to acheive (suspension of disbelief), its a failure to create an environment in which the actors can achieve a level of suspension of belief.  That is to say that they can't suspend the belief that if the cellphone isnt in their posession at all times the world will come to a screaching halt.
I also think that it is an extension of this their self importance, the principals in our cast have no problem walking away from their phones for a couple hours; the members of the chorus are the ones who shove them all kinds of places so that they can take them onstage with them.
Also, its kinds sad how important these little devices have become to us.  I mean I lost my phone for like 5 minutes last week . . . well you all understand, everyone has had that sinking feeling of panic; only to find it safe and sound in the bottom of your bag or the pocket that your turned inside out like five times, but apparently werent thourough enough.

[MusicTheatreSM]

Cell phones are an interesting debate. In dealing with my professional actors, there isn't a rule forbidding them to not have their cell phones. I do enforce a rule of a silent cell phone (no ringing, no vibrating). However, them having cell phones back stage I can't control not always being backstage. I have never had a noise problem or a distraction problem. They know that during rehearsal and shows when they are on stage the cell phone is away.

I have also been in a position where I was ASMing a show and I got a text message during the show from my production manager. He and the house manager were locked out of the theatre and needed to be let back in. It was a good thing I had my phone on me. Silent of course, and I just happened to see it light up.

Different scenario, I was on headset back stage and had my SM calling cues via headset, but I also was in full communication with my production stage manager via text message.

I also worked another theatre where I had to text message my stage manager about an injury and a set problem because there wasn't a headset available to communicate by. Only sometimes did that work. If it didn't, I would text the spot operator to tell the SM or if I was free to go to the booth I would do that instead.

I also work in different theatres at the same time and I keep everything on my smartphone. I will turn it off if it messes with the sound, but small theatres in the city tend not to use mics so much, so I have only had to do it twice.

As for actors, some keep them, some turn them in as a valuable. I leave it up to them as long as they are responsible about the cell phone handling. If it doesn't effect their work or make noise, they are fine. If it does, I give a warning which usually fixes the problem.

[lsears]

Earlier in this thread someone mentioned crew with phones backstage.  I saw something new on the show I just closed - the crew had 15-20 minutes between cues so they frequently played backgammon.  On the second night of the show they started using an iPhone to roll a pair of dice so they didn't have to worry about the noise during the quiet moments of the show.

[BlueRidgeSM]

I've never had a problem with actors taking phones on stage (knock on wood!) or with cell phones interacting badly with the sound system.  I have used text messaging to communicate with my conductor in the Pit when running musicals - there is no Clear Comm down there, and so the only other way to reach them is to send an ASM down two flights of stairs and back up a third to reach the Pit and then return to their headset - a journey that can take 5 to 10 minutes depending on the number of cast members that may stop them on the way. 

I've also used them at an outdoor venue I work with occasionally because they have *no* way to communicate with backstage from the booth.  They bought some walkie-talkies a few years ago but frankly they are pretty crappy and only work half the time.  In that space, texting my ASM backstage that we are ready to start is much more reliable - and also silent, as the booth is open to the audience (though covered) and I have had audience members "shush" me while I called the show.   

[MatthewShiner]

Just remember, there can always be a delay with text messages.  (for example, for some reason with me and my current ASM, there could be a 12 hour delay between text messages . .  . for some reasons between our carriers).  I don't like using text messages for business or time sensitive communication.

[BlueRidgeSM]

Yeah, I don't like doing it either but sometimes I feel like I have no other viable choice due to the layout/setup of the theatre and the inability to communicate with backstage and/or the pit.  When I do this, we always test beforehand to make sure we have signal, texts arrive in a timely fashion, etc.  Otherwise I am sending an ASM or board op on what could be a five to ten minute journey to get the communication across.  For the outdoor venue, I have contemplated using some kind of signal flags....  

[BayAreaSM]

Yeah, I don't like doing it either but sometimes I feel like I have no   other viable choice due to the layout/setup of the theatre and the   inability to communicate with backstage and/or the pit.

Not trying to stray too much from the topic of cell phones - but as Matthew said, Cell phones aren't always reliable....

Perhaps it's time to invest in some walkie-talkies. I bought a pair back in 2000 or so and still use them to this day. I've used them on family road trips (caravan style - cheaper and more reliable than cell phones - with a 2 mile range), inside theaters where cell phones don't work (granted, my shows don't have wireless mics), outdoor theaters when the belt packs crapped out during tech, etc. Even though it was a major investment for me at the time, they have been a Godsend in a number of situations.

When talking to my House Managers, granted - I am working with Union staff, but even with non-union staff, we use walkie talkies. When I receive the House from the House Manager, I turn my talkie off, then turn it back on at Intermission. And though I've never purchased them, you can get a ear bud/mic attachment for each one. This is a helpful item to have in your kit - or perhaps you can recommend to the theater to invest in a set and some chargers. Can't hurt to ask.

Also - once you get past the initial investment, then you're not wasting your minutes or texts to perform work. I only get a limited number of texts per month, and I HATE receiving a text from someone during a performance when they could just as easily talk over headset - or via walkie talkie. My company doesn't pay for my cell phone, I do.