MORALE: Pumping up actors

[echayes12]

Working on a professional, but non equity show (the musical Assassins) with a cast of 14.  Preshow the cast has a group warm-up.  The past few shows they have been low on energy... is there anything anyone has had success with in terms of pumping up a cast?  What sucks is that after warmups we have 30 minutes of open house and they have to relax.

Suggestions?

[Londonite731]

Hello,
So, I find the first tool in concentration/energy boosters is laughter.  It works the diaphragm and clears the mind.  Maybe you could leave an extra 10 minutes or so before the house opens to simply play a warm-up game, bring in a funny story/joke, or anything that evokes some laughter.  If that doesn't exactly sound like your cup of tea, I suggest using your own energy as an SM (because I know I'm usually bursting with adrenaline before calling a show) to bring up the cast to your level.  I also find that talking about the show, such as asking them if they have any questions about cues, gets actors in the correct mindset before house opens.  I definitely feel disconnected from them once I'm in the booth and they're backstage; but you can always use your ASM's to keep an eye on them. 

Hope this helps,
Lindsay

[spikesgirl]

We go into the rehearsal hall for warm ups and the cast stand in a circle and practice their worst line - they always seem to have one line that makes them stumble again and again - this seems to help them work through it.  We also have a different member of the cast lead the warm up every night, so there always seems to be something different. 

Also, they tell a joke, because Lindsey is right on - humor helps them relax as well as focus upon the performance.

Charlie

[Mac Calder]

If it is a professional show, and their performance is lacking, you need to start having meetings with the underperformers, "counseling" as it is often called - ie a step before a 'proper' warning. Ask them what THEY can do to bring their performance back up to par. Also do a group "Counseling" session. You (as SM or ASM) have lots of other things to worry about without worrying about their warm-ups. Talk to the director, get him/her in to talk to the cast.

Ultimately, if they are getting paid to do a job, and their performance is not up to the required standards, then they are the ones that need to think about the issue.