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The Hardline / Scheduling: not rehearsal or performance

« on: May 28, 2014, 09:50 pm »

Hi there.  I'm working at a small theatre under a 99-seat plan and have some questions about scheduling photo calls.  Unfortunately, it is standard for this company to schedule archival photo calls and press photo calls about a week before they happen, even a few days beforehand.  Because they aren't on the master schedule when rehearsals begin, this "additional" time can cause problems.  This has resulted in multiple negotiations, where actors are proposing schedules and I'm having to respond with requests for more time.  There has also been a lot of tension with the director expecting the actors to agree to staying later at rehearsals, coming in early here and there, and generally not being very efficient with her time and asking the actors to accommodate her.  In light of this climate, I understand where our actors are coming from, but at what point can I say "you do not determine the schedule," or is it entirely at the cast's discretion since it wasn't on the original schedule?

Thanks for your help as I fumble around...