Reprimanding Actors

[stephaleph]

So, everyone has to deal with careless actors and obnoxious actors (there always seems to be atleast one). I was wondering is anyone had advice on regaining control over careless actors.

I have two people in my play (3 people total) that have never acted before and that don't cooperate as well as my other actor who has experience (to be expected). I've been letting these two slide a lot because I really want them to stay on the project, but now it's starting to become a problem. This is not to say that I haven't shown them that I am angry with them.

In the last two meetings one or the other was absent. First time, after the schedule was agreed on, a few days before our meeting to talk about the future of the play one actor tells me he's going home. He said he had made those plans a month ago. So, I told him to please let me know when there is a schedule conflict because I can't organize meetings if I don't have the proper information. Second time, again after the schedule was agreed on, the other actor simply does not show up, does not answer my calls or texts, does not call back or e-mail. It's been almost a week now since then and I haven't sent an e-mail and he hasn't said a word. I realize I should have written something to him by now, but I'm new to this reprimanding thing and I just haven't known what to say.

So, I'm sending an e-mail to him right now basically asking him if he is still in the show. I want to scare him into being responsible, but I don't know if I'm going to scare him away. This wouldn't be as huge an issue if these weren't people who don't act and don't need this play or the oppurtunity we're making with this play. I'm honestly starting to consider recasting!



Aaaaaaaanyway, if you have any pointers, words of wisdom, comments, questions, or personal experiences please reply! I'm in need of some guidance and support >_<

[SMrose]

 I'm honestly starting to consider recasting!

Are you the director? SM? or both?  If there is a director, this should be addressed by him/her after you (SM) have tried to work around schedules and there seems to be a cooperation issue.  If you're director--in my opinion--what's the point of keeping cast members that can't stay in communication or schedule personal time off w/out consulting the rehearsal schedule?  Did the newbies (and the seasoned actor) get an "actors responsibilty" list which would let them know the expectations up front? 

[PSMKay]

I don't think there's any reprimand necessary.  Find new actors and dismiss the irresponsible ones.  That's what would happen outside of school.  What happens in school is no different, and in fact it should be easy to do.  If you really want to reprimand them effectively, replace them with one of their very good friends.  You won't need to say anything.  The effect on the friendship will be a sufficient punishment.

[planetmike]

One thing to do is to present your expectations very early in the rehearsal process. If the call is 7pm, I let actors know that I'll start calling no-shows at 7:01. So if they are running late for whatever reason, they should let me know as soon as they think there will be a problem. And it's worked fairly well, 99% of the time late arrivals have let me know they will be a few minutes late.

[missliz]

I've done shows with a mix of seasoned and younger actors, and I've found that a contract is great, as everyone seems to understand it. It lays out what's expected of the actors, and they get it BEFORE they commit to the show. It's basically a way to say "here's what you're getting yourself into, if you can't handle this, let me know now." It seems to have helped.

[stephaleph]

I see, yea I did a sort of verbal contract with them explaining what they would be doing. See I got those two actors about 3 weeks before our first show was (we're doing several shows during the year at events) so I guess they didn't dare miss a rehearsal then.

So, I'll definitely get a contract together for our next meeting. We do have general company rules that I can make a contract out of.

Are you the director? SM? or both?

It's a weird situation where I signed up to be SM but then my teacher happened to also be managing the tech for the university's productions. Our play is like a side project that I have taken a lot of responsibility for so I became an assitant director in the begginig (when we were pressed for time).

However, no I'm not going to get new actors if he doesn't want to. In fact I'd like to keep them, but another thing to consider for me is that we have one show in May then we are going to take the show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Which I want actors that actually want to be doing this to be in the show since we're going to perform over seas! I mean I can't find out even two months before that one of them can't go.

[Alisa]

I personally work in a Community College setting myself, so I have experienced inexperienced AND irresponsible actors. I have found that the best method of action for these situations is:
1 - pull the actor aside, FIRST make sure that there isn't a problem that you aren't aware of that is keeping them from fulfilling their responisbilities - is mom sick and needs help? (this shows off the bat that you care about them personally, and that you don't think they are at fault but rather that you suspect something is wrong, instead of acussing them of "bad behavior")
2 - if there is NO personal problem, ask how you can help them to full fill there responsibilities - once again, show you care and that you are willing to help them be their best. - ask if sending a text message reminder 2 hours before reh will help, or a weekly email reminder of what's happening, etc...
Be sure to mention to your director (causually) that there was a "situation" and that you took care of it. (just make them aware that it happened)
3 - if the problem happens again (the 2nd time) - follow the above steps again, but then add that "three strikes your out" rule applies and that if it happens again you will have to talk to the director about considering recasting his/her role, for the the sake of the production and out of curtousy for the other actors!
NOW is the time to re-address your director about this issue - telling them of the first event when it happens helps make THIS step a little easier on them, they have had time to process all that's happened (as they already have a lot happening) - ask them to keep in the back of their mind the thought of replacing the actor if needed.
4 - if it happens a 3rd time, talk to your director immediately!!!
If he is not willing to recast, then ask if HE will talk to the actor, as directors seem to sometimes have just enough "scare" power to straighten someone out.


This is what I have done, and I've established a great relationship with all my actors, and my reputation precedes me now, so I get texts ASAP when people are going to be late, and they know what is expected and the consequences if they don't stand up to their part of the deal!

Hope this helps.
-Alisa