Author Topic: PEOPLE: Director and Actor don't get along  (Read 7483 times)

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Scott (formerly Digga)

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PEOPLE: Director and Actor don't get along
« on: Jan 20, 2008, 05:03 pm »
I've got one actor that seriously doesn't get along with the director.  To the point of yelling and telling my director that they need to learn to work with "older, more experienced actors."  Honestly, the actor isn't very good.  The director would love to have them replaced but the company doesn't have Just Cause.  It came to a head last night when a 5-10min tirade took place towards the end of the rehearsal day.  The director does a good job of trying to remain calm and has a steady voice while being yelled at.

So what do you do when an actor starts yelling at the director and telling them to "sit there and let us act"?
« Last Edit: Jun 09, 2009, 01:48 am by PSMKay »

Celeste_SM

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Re: Director and Actor don't get along
« Reply #1 on: Jan 20, 2008, 05:43 pm »
I'm wondering what "just cause" is?  Are we talking Equity actors here?  Normally we just use progressive discipline in writing, in line with whatever the contract requires.  I've never been in the position of firing an AEA actor though.  This is a very tough situation to handle and I will be curious to hear what others suggest.

Scott (formerly Digga)

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Re: Director and Actor don't get along
« Reply #2 on: Jan 21, 2008, 07:33 pm »
Yes - this is under the LORT contract for AEA.

LCSM

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Re: Director and Actor don't get along
« Reply #3 on: Jan 26, 2008, 12:24 pm »
Is it possible to give them a written notification? Or alternately sit hem down with the producer or company manager to have a chat? It seems to me as though this actor has to learn the hard truth that no one in theatre is indespansable, including him.

Hope this works out well, and kudos to your director for keeping cool.

Scott (formerly Digga)

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Re: Director and Actor don't get along
« Reply #4 on: Jan 26, 2008, 04:41 pm »
Update - Another blow up by the actor during rehearsal.  At that point we were 2 days from tech and a week from opening.  The producer and the actors agent have been speaking to the actor.  As of right now, they're still putting off firing them which I feel is a mistake.  The longer they wait - the more difficult it will be to replace them. 

We had rehearsal yesterday and it seemed to survive.  We've got other problems to deal with right now, most notably is the pace of the show.  It drags too long and the artistic director of the theatre is now telling the actors the same thing.  Running at just under 2.5 hours + intermission isn't good. 

MatthewShiner

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Re: Director and Actor don't get along
« Reply #5 on: Jan 26, 2008, 05:59 pm »
I will kill for a show that only ran 2.5 hours plus intermission.

(Damn Shakespeare)

Having fired people the day before tech (twice in my career) let me tell you there is never an easy time, but the the day before tech seems to be a common time to do a firing.


« Last Edit: Jan 26, 2008, 06:01 pm by MatthewShiner »
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Scott (formerly Digga)

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Re: Director and Actor don't get along
« Reply #6 on: Jan 29, 2008, 10:44 pm »
Well, tech passed without a problem.  We're now 3 days from Opening and it doesn't look like we'll make a change.  Relations seem to have gotten better and the job is at least getting done now.  No more yelling at the director.

LCSM

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Re: Director and Actor don't get along
« Reply #7 on: Jan 30, 2008, 09:54 pm »
Happy to hear it! Hope it continues like this!

hbelden

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Re: Director and Actor don't get along
« Reply #8 on: Feb 07, 2008, 11:39 pm »
I wonder how this actor will take notes from you during the run...
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SummerShakespeare

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Re: Director and Actor don't get along
« Reply #9 on: Feb 08, 2008, 04:07 am »
I will kill for a show that only ran 2.5 hours plus intermission.

Ouch!
All on the same G.O.