PROFESSIONALISM: thoughts on hanging out with the cast after shows

[sourc3]

Chilling with fellow students is one thing.  Chilling with your cast in a professional or non academic environment is something else altogether....

What about community theatre? It's non-academic, but I'm pretty good friends with a number of people who will be in casts/crews. I mean, I guess there's always exceptions, but would it be a good idea to not hang out with the entire cast/crew, but still ok to chill with the people that were your friends from before on a entirely-unrelated-to-theatre basis?

[Mac Calder]

Sure. There is no rule that says "Thou must not hang with thy cast and crew" - just an expectation that as stage manager, you act in a professional and unbiased way when on the job. That means that at work, you must act 'fair' - as seen by the eyes of the cast. It has a lot to do with perceived fairness.

If you have a weekly dinner at their place - you don't drop it because you are working on the same show as each other. However I would avoid discussing any 'after work' plans and leaving in the same car at the end of the day. Either that, or leave an open invite for people to come with you if you are going to get a few drinks.

Common sense really.

[Jessie_K]

I have to also offer warning about hanging out with your superiors.  It might seem fun to be friendly and have a casual working  relationship with your boss.  But struggle can arise when suddenly your "friend" is making decisions you disagree with.  It can be easy to slip into a power struggle or resentment.

[MileHighSM]

I think this is a pretty subjective topic-every situation and group of people are different, and I think you just have to know what works and what doesn't.  I'm an Equity SM but currently back in grad school, so I choose when I'm going to hang with the actors and when I won't.  I don't often go to the wild house parties, but I'll go out on Wednesday for wings as everyone in the department is there,so it's not an exclusive thing.  I think it's just about using your best judgment.

[ORTaurean]

I choose my battles.  Sometimes with a small cast, going out for a drink after work is relaxing and bonding.  With a larger cast, I am more choosey.  I pick special dates (such as last preview before opening or last weekend before the final week to closing) so that they feel I enjoy their company (mostly I do), that I support them in this endeavor and then set the line for work and play.  If something about the show comes up, I remind them we're in a bar and not talking about work.

I do not go out drinking during the rehearsal period with them.  Not only do I need the sleep, if I hold out, some of them reconsider their choice.

[tombo_17]

I guess i am just repeating a lot of the other posts, but you definatly need to learn where to draw the line. I recently worked a summer SM for a small melodrama with a small cast. All the cast lived together in 2 apartments as well as had to work together, so you can imagine there we times they wouldn't be getting along. Some of the cast decided that they should tell me everything about why a certain person was pissing them off, or what they did on stage that bugged them. I just had to keep my mouth shut and let them vent it. Not once did i offer my opinion, and when they would ask me, i would just say  "sorry, but i don't want to get involved".  They were all very nice people and we would hang out, but you should never accept or add to gossip, or talk about work when you are out.

[Rhynn]

I have no problem hanging out with the cast, but I usually keep to the background/shadows.  It allows me to be supporter of the community but also keeps me separated a bit.  If someone asks me a work question that I know the answer to, I will answer it promptly and then change the subject.  If someone wants to give me a note about something regarding the production, I ask them to call me or email me the next day as "I don't have my clipboard with me."