Volunteers are the life of almost every community theater organization in the Hudson Valley. They build sets, create & find props, promote the show, work backstage, run sound and lights, usher and act. Each and every one of these volunteers is essential - they spend their valuable free time making community theater in this area great. We're talking hundreds of hours of work.
So why do so many of these talented, valuable people feel abused?
It's come up in conversation quite a bit lately - from a wide variety of thespian and community theater supporters, enough so that I felt that it is enough of an issue that I should at least start a dialog about it.
Say thank you - These two words go a long way to making most people happy. It's the simplest and easiest thing an organization can do. Thank your volunteers in the program, in the newsletter and most importantly in person.
Respect Volunteers Time - Everyone has busy full lives these days. Be organized, make the most of the people who show up to help and for goodness sake start on time!
Be Honest - If a show is pre-cast or partially cast, be honest and let audition candidates know what roles are open. Don't call it an "open" call if some roles were offered to individuals prior to the audition dates - in some cases prior to getting the show rights. People will talk and your organization loses credibility.
Give everyone a fair chance - if it is in fact an open audition individuals should be given a fair audition. What does fair mean? Equality. If you let a "friend" or "long time supporter" sing a whole song even though he/she can't carry a tune (This one I have seen in person) - you better let every single candidate sing as well. Especially if it is an open audition and every single person in the room hears it. If you are pressed for time keep it to 16 bars. Be consistent.
Respect - Honor your volunteers and long time supporters - even if they take time off. I'm not advocating giving roles to people who have supported your organization if they are not the strongest candidate/ right for the job. I am advocating giving them an opportunity to come back after some time away. We all need to take time for our lives, sometimes a new job, a new baby or a long illness takes people away from volunteering. Don't write them off, give them an attitude or disrespect them - they have had to make difficult decisions, and need to feel like they still belong.
Respect (part 2) - Respect your current Volunteers also. A director should never lose it and say anything like "you guys really suck" (yes it really happened). Everyone in Community theater is a volunteer (except for musicians, but that's another story) - honor their contribution, guide them if they need help, but for goodness sake don't insult them or treat them like dirt. Again, I'm not advocating taking abuse either, because I know it is difficult to be on the production side of things - directors are not good carpet material either. So perhaps this section should be reciprocal respect.
Be friendly - The best way to grow your organization is to be approachable. If you are distant or standoffish, people are not going to work with you again.
So those are my thoughts around some of the issues facing community theater groups in the mid hudson valley. What do you see as the biggest issues with community theater groups, and so this doesn't become a bastion of negativity, how do you propose to solve it?
A couple of other posts that touch on some of these items:
MagicKat
An Actor Darkly
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Five Tips for Auditioning from a Director
So you've read the Five tips for Auditioning from an Actor's perspective, now it's time to flip it around and look at the audition process from the directors perspective.
1) Be prepared. Read the audition notice, Now read the Audition notice again. If it says you need to bring sheet music bring sheet music, if you need dancing shoes and comfortable clothing, please don't show up in a miniskirt and platform heels. Always be prepared with a audition song that shows off you vocal ability even if the audition notice doesn't specify to prepare a song. Believe me it is not easy judging your ability by listening to you sing Happy Birthday or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star when you're trying to cast a rock musical.
2) Be confident and Relaxed. Never Arrogant. Please don't exhibit Diva like tendencies or give hints that you are hard to work with. Pulling a show together is difficult enough without having your actors butting heads.
3) Be open to suggestion. The director has a picture in his (or her) head about what the show will look like, feel like, sound like and smell like (okay maybe not smell) When the director asks you to re-read something in another way she may be testing to see 1) if you are directable and 2) if you can play the part in a way that is similar to what is in her head.
4) Be versatile. The director may choose someone else to play the role you think you're perfect for. Play along and give your best to alternate roles that perhaps you fit the directors vision for better. You may find the alternate role a better role then you thought.
5) Be Honest. Write down ALL of your conflicts. If the Director wants you it will probably not deter him that you are away on vacation for a week. And yes, we totally understand when an emergency arises - someone gets ill, someone in the hospital etc. However .... it will be a major issue if the schedule has been made to accommodate everyone's absences and then you "forgot" that you had a dance recital, family reunion, Birthday or some other event - on the day you play a pivotal role in the scene, dance or what have you. Nothing is more frustrating. Nothing.
1) Be prepared. Read the audition notice, Now read the Audition notice again. If it says you need to bring sheet music bring sheet music, if you need dancing shoes and comfortable clothing, please don't show up in a miniskirt and platform heels. Always be prepared with a audition song that shows off you vocal ability even if the audition notice doesn't specify to prepare a song. Believe me it is not easy judging your ability by listening to you sing Happy Birthday or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star when you're trying to cast a rock musical.
2) Be confident and Relaxed. Never Arrogant. Please don't exhibit Diva like tendencies or give hints that you are hard to work with. Pulling a show together is difficult enough without having your actors butting heads.
3) Be open to suggestion. The director has a picture in his (or her) head about what the show will look like, feel like, sound like and smell like (okay maybe not smell) When the director asks you to re-read something in another way she may be testing to see 1) if you are directable and 2) if you can play the part in a way that is similar to what is in her head.
4) Be versatile. The director may choose someone else to play the role you think you're perfect for. Play along and give your best to alternate roles that perhaps you fit the directors vision for better. You may find the alternate role a better role then you thought.
5) Be Honest. Write down ALL of your conflicts. If the Director wants you it will probably not deter him that you are away on vacation for a week. And yes, we totally understand when an emergency arises - someone gets ill, someone in the hospital etc. However .... it will be a major issue if the schedule has been made to accommodate everyone's absences and then you "forgot" that you had a dance recital, family reunion, Birthday or some other event - on the day you play a pivotal role in the scene, dance or what have you. Nothing is more frustrating. Nothing.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
On Stage in the Hudson Valley - January 25-27
So I'm a little disappointed - no go on the babysitter, so it's a no go on Sweeney Todd this weekend - if anyone goes and wants to let me know how it is, I'd love to hear! (or if you want to write a review, please let me know as well). Also have some other great offerings this weekend - Harvey, Tuesdays with Morrie and Anatomy of a Murder. Something to suit almost everyone. So since it's gonna be a chilly weekend, go snuggle up with some live theater in the Hudson Valley this weekend!
Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
January 25, 26 at 8:00 PM
January 27 at 3:00 PM
CENTERstage Productions
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080
Harvey
January 25, 26, 27, February 1, 2, 3 at 7:30 PM
January 26, 27, Feb 2, 3 at 3:00 PM
New Rose Theater
Route 52
Walden, NY
Call: (845) 778-2478
Tuesdays With Morrie
January 25, 26 at 8:00 PM
Mountain Stage Readers Theater Company
Unison Arts & Learning Center
68 Mountain Rest Rd
New Paltz, NY 12561
Call: (845) 255-1559
Anatomy of a Murder
January 25, 26, February 1, 2 at 8:00 PM
Pawling Theatre Company
Pawling High School
Reservoir Road
Pawling, NY
Call: (845) 855-1965
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Five Tips for Auditioning
This is part one in a two part series. This one will be advice from the side of the Actor, looking at the audition process. Part two will be the perspective from the other side of the table, as a director giving advice for auditioning.
1) Be kind to your fellow candidates - you never know who you'll end up working with and starting a relationship on the wrong foot will cause stress later.
2) Be prepared. The more you prepare the more confident and relaxed you will feel. Ask the opinion of a trusted friend, music coach or fellow thespian.
3) Be Confident and Relaxed. You're as prepared as you can be (you did do #2 right?) walk in and give the best performance you can.
4) Don't Stress about the results. Waiting to hear can be agonizing, find other things to distract yourself with. Visit friends, take a walk, call a friend.
5) Realize as prepared as you are you're not going to get every part. Keep on trying and you'll be singing and dancing on stage in no time!
1) Be kind to your fellow candidates - you never know who you'll end up working with and starting a relationship on the wrong foot will cause stress later.
2) Be prepared. The more you prepare the more confident and relaxed you will feel. Ask the opinion of a trusted friend, music coach or fellow thespian.
3) Be Confident and Relaxed. You're as prepared as you can be (you did do #2 right?) walk in and give the best performance you can.
4) Don't Stress about the results. Waiting to hear can be agonizing, find other things to distract yourself with. Visit friends, take a walk, call a friend.
5) Realize as prepared as you are you're not going to get every part. Keep on trying and you'll be singing and dancing on stage in no time!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Mid Hudson Valley Theater Auditions
There are a number of Auditions coming up in the Mid Hudson Valley for this spring theater season. Grab a friend and go audition - for me since it will be awhile before I'll be on stage again.
The Pirates of Penzance
Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater Company
Jan 24, 2008 at 7:00 PM
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck, NY
Jan 25, 27, 2008 at 7:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church
South Hamilton Street
Poughkeepsie, NY
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Jan 25, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Jan 26, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Reformed Church, Education Building
Huguenot Street
New Paltz, NY
The Time of Your Life
CENTERstage Productions
Feb 3, 4, 2008 at 7:00 PM
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck, NY
Saturday, January 19, 2008
On stage this weekend Jan 19-21
Only one show I could find for this weekend: A musical I so very much want to see, especially with the number of people I know in the cast. Of course, I need to get organized and find a babysitter by next weekend first - a date to go with wouldn't be amiss either - have to call some of my theater peeps and see who's around.
Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
January 19, 25, 26 at 8:00 PM
January 20, 27 at 3:00 PM
CENTERstage Productions
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080
It's been a while
It's been a while, I know I know. Thanks for all the emails asking if everything is okay. Everything is fine. I just needed a break between the holidays, my job and my baby - I've been hopping. I have a couple of new projects in discussion, more details on that later....
So Happy New Year! Happy Holidays! and Welcome to 2008.
So Happy New Year! Happy Holidays! and Welcome to 2008.
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