The Green Room - Community Theatre vs. Professional Theatre

Reply #10 - Apr 8^th, 2010 at 11:48am

Grace Offline
Scenery
I Love P.A.!
Salt Lake City

Gender:
Posts: 31

That's a good distinction. If they waste my time, I don't worry about theirs as much. While I don't ever try and slack, I worry less about being 15 minutes late to call if I normally waste hours in rehearsals where I'm not needed.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #11 - Apr 8^th, 2010 at 7:32pm

kitchensinger Offline
Ingenue
in my kitchen

Gender:
Posts: 912

My experience has been that there is LESS drama among the production team members in professional theatre because their roles are usually more clearly defined than those of community theatre production teams.� But among cast members....there's usually a little drama both in professional and community.� My response is always the same:� roll my eyes and move on with my job.

A lot of the drama would be diminished if cast members would just take their (valid) concerns straight to the stage manager or (in community theatre) the director.

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #12 - Apr 8^th, 2010 at 8:21pm

Toddy Offline
Diva
There's A Fairy Who Hides
In My Gaaaaaaarden!
Utah

Gender:
Posts: 4667

I agree with everything said here. I personally feel professionalism should exist on all levels no matter what. Community Theatre is a great place to teach that, particularly by example from the actors that do care about their work.

Crazy world, full of crazy contradictions like a child; first you drive me wild, and then you win my heart with your wicked art; one minute tender, gentle; then tempramental as a summer storm; just when I believe your heart's getting warmer. Your cold and your cruel, and I like a fool try to cope. Try to hang on to hope. Crazy world, everyday the same old roller coaster ride, but I've got my pride, I won't give in; even though I know I'll never win. Oh how I love this, crazy world! -- Henry Mancini

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #13 - Apr 22^nd, 2010 at 12:04am

RayAngel Offline
Scenery
Backstage Utah

Posts: 30

It's definitely obvious in some community productions (as stated already) that there are a few cast members who particularly shine, and are on par with professionals as far as talent.
The thing that I feel is more important than anything is structure -
I've been in a few community theater productions where the director has had very vivid vision of what they want out of their play, and they make it happen...but i've also been in plays where the director has a "do what you want with it" view (to some degree of course, every actor should put their own spin on their character) - but to this degree, the director obviously didn't really know what they wanted, but were quick to complain about everything.

An audience that pays money (any amount really) is going to expect something worth what they paid.. and i personally put my passion and ALL into every performance, because i want to share that with people..
I want to impact people, and make people connect and really FEEL good and escape from their lives for that time.
Performing should be about passion, and connecting to your audiences.. Not status, or money.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #14 - May 18^th, 2010 at 6:18pm

Poison Ivy Mysteries Offline
Scenery
Murder Mystery Dinner
Theatre
West Valley City

Gender:
Posts: 42

We consider ourselves semi-professional as we pay our actors and run our business all year long. What drives me crazy is actors who treat things like being prepared and coming on time as if they were doing community theatre (or at least the people who have a nonchalant attitude about it),..but then, we don't use them again.
Personally, I have been in 1 community play that was run so poorly that I could have screamed (wait...I did). 3 that were just ok...(but I had slightly more creative control over what was going on.) I just don't do them anymore.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #15 - May 18^th, 2010 at 6:30pm

Silent Knight Offline
All Access
www.maniccity.tv
Manic City

Posts: 1793

Poison Ivy Mysteries wrote on May 18^th, 2010 at 6:18pm:

We consider ourselves semi-professional as we pay our actors and run our business all year long. What drives me crazy is actors who treat things like being prepared and coming on time as if they were doing community theatre (or at least the people who have a nonchalant attitude about it),..but then, we don't use them again.
Personally, I have been in 1 community play that was run so poorly that I could have screamed (wait...I did). 3 that were just ok...(but I had slightly more creative control over what was going on.) I just don't do them anymore.

I agree with a lot of what you're saying, but some community theatres operate all year long, if you're defining community as volunteer theatres, not just, for example, local city Arts Council summer productions.

http://www.maniccity.tv/

"The power is not in the mask. It's in whether we chose to wear it."
-Peter Blustrinsky

Back to top

IP Logged

BackStage Utah