The Green Room - Quitting a Show

Reply #10 - Jun 25^th, 2010 at 1:54pm

JingleBeq Offline
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I was once an exceedingly
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I was once in a show (single cast) where, during rehearsals, we went through 5 or 6 guys being cast in one particular role. I really don't know why, it was a great theater and a great cast, and the part was a very good role. I never heard the reasons why the actors quit after accepting the role. But it got to where it was just funny. The guy who finally performed the role did a great job, though.

This story has no bearing on anything, other than that I happened to think of it just now.

I make pretty things.

Though she lived alone, apart, hope lay nestling at her heart.

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Reply #11 - Jun 25^th, 2010 at 2:02pm

Only In Las Vegas Offline
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Silent Knight wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 11:01am:

A big question for me would be, what exactly are the consequences of you sating with the show? Is it just a bad experience (lack of professionalism of the production, cast, director, etc), or is there a more serious problem?�

It is a couple of things at this point.

We have been told we have to pay $25.....for what? It has not been said yet, but that was not announced at auditions. Also, we have to sell 20 tickets, again, not something that was announced.

The lack of professionality is huge. The thing is though it is not the cast! I love the cast! They are hugely talented and sweet!

However, I received a phone call last night from the dance captain calling to see if I was serious about the show, because I had missed the past three rehearsals.......rehearsals that were not on the rehearsal sheet (so I picked up some shifts at work) and I received a text message 10 min prior to the rehearsals starting each day, pretty much saying, "suprise! we have rehearsal". When I tried to explain to the DC the problem I had with the rehearsal schedule being changed she said, "I have to get back inside so bye".

We were told we were going to be emailed a schedule and we still have not. There is no stage manager so there is no way to really communicate anything to anyone. There is more but there is not enough room. lol!

This is a show that I have been dying to do and I really wanted to do one last show before I moved, but if I am so angry by the time it is rehearsal time, and crying on the way home from rehearsal is it really worth it? This is supposed to be fun! But if there is no order and no responsibilty it is hard to have a great time, and the phone call was pretty much the last straw.

I have never ever quit a show, I have always stuck with it. But at this time in my life more tears is not what I need.

Thank you though for all the words of advice, it really is helping me in making my decision, plus, this is something I have always been curious about.

This is a girl who has had her heart broken
Cried for continuous hours
Yelled and screamed for help
A girl who turned her back on the world
and a girl who did nothing but love someone.

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Reply #12 - Jun 25^th, 2010 at 2:17pm

Silent Knight Offline
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Only In Las Vegas wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 2:02pm:

Silent Knight wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 11:01am:

A big question for me would be, what exactly are the consequences of you sating with the show? Is it just a bad experience (lack of professionalism of the production, cast, director, etc), or is there a more serious problem?�

It is a couple of things at this point.

We have been told we have to pay $25.....for what? It has not been said yet, but that was not announced at auditions. Also, we have to sell 20 tickets, again, not something that was announced.

However, I received a phone call last night from the dance captain calling to see if I was serious about the show, because I had missed the past three rehearsals.......rehearsals that were not on the rehearsal sheet (so I picked up some shifts at work) and I received a text message 10 min prior to the rehearsals starting each day, pretty much saying, "suprise! we have rehearsal". When I tried to explain to the DC the problem I had with the rehearsal schedule being changed she said, "I have to get back inside so bye".

These are reasons to quit.

http://www.maniccity.tv/

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

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Reply #13 - Jun 25^th, 2010 at 2:37pm

Dexter the Halls Online
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Silent Knight wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 2:17pm:

Only In Las Vegas wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 2:02pm:

Silent Knight wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 11:01am:

A big question for me would be, what exactly are the consequences of you sating with the show? Is it just a bad experience (lack of professionalism of the production, cast, director, etc), or is there a more serious problem?�

It is a couple of things at this point.

We have been told we have to pay $25.....for what? It has not been said yet, but that was not announced at auditions. Also, we have to sell 20 tickets, again, not something that was announced.

However, I received a phone call last night from the dance captain calling to see if I was serious about the show, because I had missed the past three rehearsals.......rehearsals that were not on the rehearsal sheet (so I picked up some shifts at work) and I received a text message 10 min prior to the rehearsals starting each day, pretty much saying, "suprise! we have rehearsal". When I tried to explain to the DC the problem I had with the rehearsal schedule being changed she said, "I have to get back inside so bye".

These are reasons to quit.

And leaving a burning bag of waste on the steps of the theater.

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Reply #14 - Jun 25^th, 2010 at 3:13pm

The Kaylee and the Ivy Offline
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Dexter the Halls wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 2:37pm:

Silent Knight wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 2:17pm:

Only In Las Vegas wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 2:02pm:

Silent Knight wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 11:01am:

A big question for me would be, what exactly are the consequences of you sating with the show? Is it just a bad experience (lack of professionalism of the production, cast, director, etc), or is there a more serious problem?�

It is a couple of things at this point.

We have been told we have to pay $25.....for what? It has not been said yet, but that was not announced at auditions. Also, we have to sell 20 tickets, again, not something that was announced.

However, I received a phone call last night from the dance captain calling to see if I was serious about the show, because I had missed the past three rehearsals.......rehearsals that were not on the rehearsal sheet (so I picked up some shifts at work) and I received a text message 10 min prior to the rehearsals starting each day, pretty much saying, "suprise! we have rehearsal". When I tried to explain to the DC the problem I had with the rehearsal schedule being changed she said, "I have to get back inside so bye".

These are reasons to quit.

And leaving a burning bag of waste on the steps of the theater.

Yeah, I agree. It sounds like they're making it kind of impossible for you to do your job properly?

Normally I'd say stick it out, but fees piss me off to NO END and the selling tickets thing is just bullshit.

That, and you're not psychic. It wasn't on the schedule? They didn't announce it ahead of time/ask if it would be okay? That time is not theirs, and they have no claim to it, and they especially have no right to get huffy when you point that out. You have a schedule for a reason, and it's not your fault if they didn't put together an adequate one. It's the same reason I feel like calling people outside of work hours for something work-related is a serious violation. You're on your time, not company/show time.

Have you talked to the director?

If we're going to die, let's die looking like a Peruvian folk band.

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Reply #15 - Jun 25^th, 2010 at 3:20pm

Cheeky Monkey Offline
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Austin, TX

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I say give them an ultimatum. Like, if you don't get a schedule by a certain time, you're sorry but you'll have to pull out because of work demands.

"Depends. Did you feel anything for the pumpkin? The midgets?" -Wildcard&&&&If Mary Matalin and James Carville can make it work, ANYONE can. The end.

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Reply #16 - Jun 25^th, 2010 at 4:43pm

Only In Las Vegas Offline
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Take me or leave me.......but
preferably, take me!

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The Kaylee and the Ivy wrote on Jun 25^th, 2010 at 3:13pm:

Have you talked to the director?

That is part of the really bullshit thing. While the dance captain/cast mate was talking to me the director was standing right next to her. So at no point did the director try and speak to me or want to speak to me. She had one of the cast mates do her dirty work. The only reason why I know she was right there was because the DC kept saying, *insert directors name* she wants to know what the schedule is for tomorrow, and, *insert directors name* she says she emailed the producer about the times........

This is a girl who has had her heart broken
Cried for continuous hours
Yelled and screamed for help
A girl who turned her back on the world
and a girl who did nothing but love someone.

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Reply #17 - Jun 25^th, 2010 at 4:56pm

Silent Knight Offline
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Manic City

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The "contract" works both ways. based on what you say, it soundls like they have broken the contract, and you are no longer bound by it.

Nothing bugs me more (maybe not even as much) in theatre as theatres which hide behind the concept of "professionalism" to treat the actors poorly and then expect loyalty from them.

http://www.maniccity.tv/

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

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Reply #18 - Jun 25^th, 2010 at 5:02pm

kitchensinger Offline
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in my kitchen

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Well...if we're still looking at "accepting a role" like it is "signing a contract"...

When you accept a part and figuratively "sign a contract" by doing so....it implies that the theatre with which you are making the contract has given you all the info you need to make the commitment.� �This includes solid rehearsal dates, performances, fees that need to be paid, etc.� Most professionally-managed theatres provide an audition packet for this very reason.

It's understandable (sometimes) that performance dates/rehearsals have to be changed...but this also means that the theatre is changing their part of the "contract"....which means it is void and that you are no longer "bound."�

I would just talk to the director and explain that you accepted the role before the rehearsal schedule was changed.� I don't think the director would hold it against you or black list you for having to leave the show under these circumstances.

"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

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Reply #19 - Jun 25^th, 2010 at 5:20pm

Annie Fields Offline
Scenery
Salt Lake City

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You did right in quitting. It would have gotten worse and worse as time went on! I am a director and the first rule in directing is GET A SCHEDULE...DON'T WASTE TIME. And the at the same time TREAT YOUR CAST LIKE HUMANS.

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