Hey there, y'all - So that we are 100% on the same page going into this week, here are some common things that come up...
We work under a common list of community agreements during our tech/dress/run process...keeps us all on the same side...
The Agreements:
I am here to work. The social aspects of theatre are some of the key reasons we do this, but they are side effects of the mindsets that make good theatre: Creativity, Trust, Empathy, Discipline. We get those from doing the work with the best we can give.
I will make this our best performance yet. The point of rehearsal, of the hours of dedication, is to get better. If your goal is to do one step better than last time (or more!), your work will reflect that, and the audience will appreciate it.
I won’t speak ill of another member of our team. Beef will happen; frustrations will happen; we’ll be tired, stressed, and overwhelmed. There are appropriate ways to deal with disagreements and frustrations…venting about them to our friends about others in the group is not one of them. Take your concerns to the person with whom you’re in conflict, or take them to Stage Management or Miller…no one else.
I will leave my stressors at the ‘door’. Theatre requires presence and focus to work. Whether it’s attention in a fight scene preventing injury, fully listening to a partner doing their work, moving with purpose and safety in a low-light backstage environment…all of these things are infinitely harder, or impossible, if your mind is elsewhere. Meditation, Deep Breathing, Physical Stretching, Exercise…any of these things are ways to focus your attention on the here and now. Do the work to be here.
*This is a scheduling-conflict-free zone. From here out, when folks are called, they are here...unless something truly extraordinary (injury, hospitalization, death in the family) occurs. This was something all participants signed off on at the outset in their audition packets/crew forms. No appointments, therapies, piano lessons, jobs, club meetings...all of those should have been rescheduled by now.
*Rehearsals now extend until 730p. Please plan for your health and well-being taking those calls into account. Food, rest, hydration, homework, etc. all need to be accounted for. Snacks (not meals) will be provided.
*No more scripts/music scores on stage. The time has passed. Please look to be prepared. SMs will be on book for lines and blocking. The appropriate way to ask, if you go up and forget something, is to stay focused and in character, and say 'Word' if you want the first word of the line you can't remember; 'Line' for the SM to read the line out until you begin speaking; 'Blocking' if you don't know your next move; and, of course 'Hold' if a fight move is off or you need a stoppage. We learn a lot through failure...it's time to take a big leap.
*These are long days...but the expectation is that you are maintaining your academic obligations. Yes, you do have to go to class; Yes, you do have to do your homework; Yes, you do have to sleep. If you are having trouble with any of these, make sure to communicate with your teachers...we're human, and might just treat you as such, if you don't surprise us (or tell us what to do...that never goes well!).
*Crew will be called beginning 4/30...all run crew.
*No actors/crew will be allowed in the house after 5/6.
*No Personal Electronic Devices backstage starting on 4/30. None. No phones, chromebooks, computers...nada. Bring a book, a sketchpad, your lines, a fidget...whatever. But no devices. Please see me if you have an IEP allowing for such.
Let's do this, Friends!
- jm
