AEA: Straight Six for First Rehearsal

[MatthewShiner]

AEA SM's - what the best way to schedule a straight six for a first rehearsal???  (That is get the actor's approval to do so . . .)

Thoughts?

[Maribeth]

I usually mention it during my phone call to each actor during prep week, and give them the heads up that we are looking to do a straight six for first rehearsal. Obviously they don't have to tell you how they would vote, but I have found that most of the time they are forthcoming if they have an objection.

I am always prepared for the fact that on the first day of rehearsal, they might vote against it, and then we would have to either do a 5-hr day or a full day.

(The only times that I have ever had actors vote against a straight six is if there is nowhere to get food nearby.)

[VSM]

If I don't touch base by phone, I do alert the actors by email that the producers and the director would like to use straight sixes starting with Day One of rehearsals (usually to accommodate directors schedule) and ask if there are any objections.
So far, knock wood, no objections...