Author Topic: First time with Equity  (Read 5563 times)

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OrchDork

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First time with Equity
« on: Aug 20, 2010, 10:43 am »
HI,

I just graduated from school and got a job with a Small Professional Theatre Company under an Equity contract. I'm a little nervous that I don't want to be too obvious that I've never worked in the "professional" (loose quotes) theatre.

I have a production manager who is helping me but she just started her job and is a little busy and nervous herself.

The major question I have is do I still give line notes? Is this too collegiate theatre? The playwright is in the show and I don't know if he wants it to be natural.

Also I've never done the whole dinner break thing and I'm nervous about the breaks. I just don't want to screw up on my first show.

Thanks for reading my rambling thoughts and Thank you for your help!

MatthewShiner

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #1 on: Aug 20, 2010, 01:12 pm »
You will give lines notes for the rest of your career - it's fully expected in the professional world.

Take a look at the rule book you are operating under, and follow the rules regarding breaks - remember, everyone should know these rules and expect the breaks to happen as outlines.

You should be fine.
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Anything posted here as in my own personal opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer - whomever they be at a given moment in time.

OrchDork

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #2 on: Aug 20, 2010, 02:18 pm »
What about sign-in sheets? The cast is really only 6 people.

Post Merge: Aug 20, 2010, 02:18 pm
Thank you by the way! I am slowly feeling better about this.

missliz

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #3 on: Aug 20, 2010, 04:20 pm »
My philosophy is to always run the show as professionally as possible, no matter how many people, the level, etc. If you set the bar they're going to have to keep up, and it's better to be too precise than too general, I think.
I personally would like to bring a tortoise onto the stage, turn it into a racehorse, then into a hat, a song, a dragon and a fountain of water. One can dare anything in the theatre and it is the place where one dares the least. -Ionesco

hbelden

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #4 on: Aug 20, 2010, 06:10 pm »
Have sign-in sheets ready for your first half-hour call prior to a performance.
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loebtmc

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #5 on: Aug 21, 2010, 01:26 am »
actually, I always start signing in with tech -

RuthNY

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #6 on: Aug 21, 2010, 08:56 am »
If it's a large cast, I'll use a sign in sheet in the Rehearsal Hall, and have the cast sign in for large group or full cast rehearsals. If not, I post it for the first time, on our first day onstage, tech. or not.  It's never too early, especially when you have a space that suffers from circular building-itis, where you and the actor might never run into each other backstage!
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hbelden

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #7 on: Aug 21, 2010, 10:43 am »
loebtmc, even with a small cast?
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nmno

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #8 on: Aug 21, 2010, 02:00 pm »
loebtmc, even with a small cast?

I start at tech at the latest, even with a small cast - get them used to walking in the theatre and signing in immediately...  And during tech more, so than any other time, I have little time to run around the building hunting people down. 

On small shows I don't have sign in for rehearsal; my litmus test is how difficult will it be for me to find people to start rehearsal/to know if they are present - Do I have a large cast? Do I have cell phone reception so I can receive a call if someone is running late?  Are there too many places for people to hide? (I've worked in spaces with multiple rooms, looping hallways and spent 10 minutes literally walking in circles to find people, not knowing if they were even there)  It just depends...

MatthewShiner

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #9 on: Aug 21, 2010, 02:01 pm »
I actually have a sign in sheet on every daily call starting with the first day of rehearsal . . .

a) It gets them in the habit of signing in
b) it gets them physically to the call board to read the call in case something has changed (noted by highlighter)
c) It gets them physically to the call board to look at the call board for any notices.
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loebtmc

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #10 on: Aug 21, 2010, 08:03 pm »
And w tech I get new crew members. So yes, I start w tech - and cast size is immaterial. The only time I didn't use a sign-in sheet was a one-man tour where we always knew where the other was.

It gets unwieldy, esp when not everyone is called every day, plus many of the theaters I am at don't have consistent rehearsal spaces from show to show or even from day to day. I like to start sign-in when everyone has to be there, but also when we are someplace they can get used to a specific place. It might be my traveling callboard, it might be the space's, but no matter what, it starts at tech when I don't have time (or desire) to chase down actors while adding in all the technical elements


MatthewShiner

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #11 on: Aug 22, 2010, 01:49 am »
I remember doing it with a one-person show.  I would knock on his dressing room door, check in with him, and he would sign the sign in sheet on my clip board.
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SMrose

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Re: First time with Equity
« Reply #12 on: Aug 22, 2010, 10:14 am »
OrchDork,

Yes--give line notes.  Follow the director's request (you may want to chat and get his/her preference) regarding line notes during or at the end of rehearsal (before the break or dismissal for the day).  Remember that your areas Equity Representative is there to help you with any questions you have on the AEA rules---if you're unsure or confused about a rule.  My Rep was always very helpful.


 

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