Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board

Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board http://www.communitytheater.org/forum This is an XML content feed of; Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board : Last 10 Posts Copyright (c) 2006 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:51:55 +0000 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:45 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 8.05 30 www.communitytheater.org/forum/RSS_topic_feed.asp Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_images/CTGRlogo.gif http://www.communitytheater.org/forum Other Topics : Two things.... http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4898&PID=27671#27671 Author: falstaff29
Subject: Two things....
Posted: 2/03/12 at 6:00pm

I also think "formal education" is often overrated, but, rather than Mamet's "True & False" (which, aside from the classic line "Most teachers of acting are frauds", is kind of a waste), I recommend "The End of Acting" by Richard Hornby as an insight into my values as a theater performer. Granted, others may (and many do) feel differently, but that's what forums like these are all about!

If you want a "lighter" resource for your bookshelf, "The Art of Coarse Acting" by Michael Green is so true it's scary.
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:45 +0000 http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4898&PID=27671#27671 Other Topics : Two things.... http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4898&PID=27670#27670 Author: David McCall
Subject: Two things....
Posted: 2/03/12 at 5:46pm

Oh, All right]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:46:19 +0000 http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4898&PID=27670#27670 Directing : Casting Woes http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5258&PID=27669#27669 Author: MusicManD
Subject: Casting Woes
Posted: 2/03/12 at 10:59am

I direct for a high school and am also the school's choir director.

I've always done no-cuts shows, but that turned out to be a disaster with my last production (too big of a show, too many in the cast, and all of the production staff I was supposed to have quit right before rehearsals began). Thus, I've finally decided to do a small show.

We selected "The Pirates" by AA VanGilder, which really only has room for about 12 actors- 4 males, 5 females, and 3 extras. I had auditions on Monday and Wednesday, and lamented Wednesday night about the casting. I had 5 guys try out- easy enough; the four male parts and the last guy gets to be an extra and an understudy (one of my better guys is a bit squirrely). Then I had SEVENTEEN girls try out for basically seven parts. I had a couple of reliable seniors- just not the strongest actresses- who barely made the cut for extras (and I had to expand the cast to 13 to do that), but I was able to justify that because all the leads were juniors or seniors.

AND then I had a freshman girl come in yesterday (Thursday) who was sick on Wednesday when she wanted to audition. She blew almost everyone else out of the water, so now I'm faced with a choice- bump one or both seniors off the bottom, bump another freshman who I had as a featured extra, or just expand the show again to 14.

My biggest concern, honestly, is a fight scene at the end of the show where all the extras were going to play guards against the main characters. Originally it was supposed to be three guards and the pirate captain against the four main characters, and then the pirate switches sides to turn the tables. If I expand the cast to 14, the numbers in that scene become 6 against 4 and then 5 on 5 when the pirate swaps sides. Makes sense from a dramatic standpoint, but it does mean two more swords to rent/buy/make and two more combatants on the relatively small stage.

I guess the reality is that if I cast 5 extras instead of 3 (1 freshman, 2 sophomores, and 2 seniors), one or more will probably quit, especially since (except for the freshman) they all have had bigger roles in the past.

Thoughts?
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:59:13 +0000 http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5258&PID=27669#27669 Set Design and Construction : Elevator Doors http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5253&PID=27668#27668 Author: David McCall
Subject: Elevator Doors
Posted: 2/03/12 at 9:35am

The ropes and pulleys approach would work the same at a traveler (curtain that opens and closes by pulling a rope). Basically it involves 4 pulleys and a loop of rope.

The rope goes up to a pulley at one end of the track and then all of the way to the far end through another pulley. Back to the first end and through another pulley. Then down to the floor and another pulley and back to the top.

So, there are 2 ropes running the length of the track. When you pull on the rope one side will go left to right, and the other side goes the other way. One door gets attached to the rope on one side the other door gets attached to the the rope going the other way. One of those connections happens at the point where the 2 ends of the rope are tied to make the loop. The doors will need some manner of track top and bottom. The real trick will be having the doors slide smoothly enough that they don't bind.

One issue is that the ropes will want to droop unless there is a lot of tension on them. You can use 2 screw eyes near the center to help hold it up in the middle. It would be a good idea to make the doors taller than the opening so that you don't see the ropes.

Reel elevator doors use a mechanism of bars and pivots such that one pull point causes the doors to move in opposite directions. The mechanism isn't real complex but it needs some precision. Unfortunately I'm not familiar with it to describe it. See if Google can help.

]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:35:26 +0000 http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5253&PID=27668#27668 Set Design and Construction : Elevator Doors http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5253&PID=27667#27667 Author: bmiller025
Subject: Elevator Doors
Posted: 2/03/12 at 1:18am

It can be done with several pulleys and guide ropes connected to each side of the door opening, so the doors will move together. You will need one set of ropes to open the doors, and a second set to close the doors. I am describing this from memory, as I was the lighting designer of the production I was involved with, but the doors worked great, and it greatly enhanced the production.

I am struggling to figure out the best way to describe how it works, but it shouldn't be too difficult for you to figure out. The doors should be on tracks. You likely still will need a stage hand for each set of doors, but it can be done. Let the ropes open and close the doors. It is pretty much impossible to expect stage hands to move the doors at the same speed, and at the same moment.

You can see photos of our production:
http://www.brianmiller.biz/HowtoSucceed.htm
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:18:58 +0000 http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5253&PID=27667#27667 Set Design and Construction : Cats - and kitty ascending http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5195&PID=27666#27666 Author: didj1028
Subject: Cats - and kitty ascending
Posted: 2/02/12 at 8:41pm

We just sent her up a winding staircase of debris/garbage and off into the wings. combined with good lighting it worked like a charm. No need to overcomplicate things, in my opinion.]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:41:46 +0000 http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5195&PID=27666#27666 Running Your Theater : Contract/Agreement http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5257&PID=27665#27665 Author: ActYourBest
Subject: Contract/Agreement
Posted: 2/02/12 at 2:27pm

I would like to offer an option to come to an oprganization to provide their youth a theater workshop or direct a youth musical as an after school program.

I just dont know how to even begin with writing my contract/agreement. If you already offer this as a service, would you share your contract/agreement with me. Also what do you charge?

Thank You

Edited by ActYourBest - Yesterday at 9:28am]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:27:48 +0000 http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5257&PID=27665#27665 Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup : Stage swords for combat http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5251&PID=27664#27664 Author: Majicwrench
Subject: Stage swords for combat
Posted: 2/02/12 at 1:21pm

I have made sword out of 1" metal strap, just takes a few minutes per sword, they sound wonderful. YES BLUNT THE ENDS!! And I never have anyone jab with a sword either.

Take a 4ft piece of 1", Cut about 8i" off, cut a slot in the center of that piece, it becomes the hilt, slide it on, leave about 10" for grip ( enough for two hands), weld hilt on. Cut a point of sorts into end of sword, wrap grip with duct tape, paint sword if desired. "STuff" can be added to hilt.

]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:21:11 +0000 http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5251&PID=27664#27664 Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup : Auto-Light Flame http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5255&PID=27663#27663 Author: David McCall
Subject: Auto-Light Flame
Posted: 2/02/12 at 9:39am

Any time you use fire on stage you usually need a licensed pyro guy and/or a fireman on site.]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:39:57 +0000 http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5255&PID=27663#27663 Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup : Auto-Light Flame http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5255&PID=27662#27662 Author: MusicManD
Subject: Auto-Light Flame
Posted: 2/02/12 at 8:54am

I think you might be overcomplicating this. Why not just get some of those flickering lightbulbs?

Anytime you start working with live fire on stage (especially auto igniting), you make your show ten times more complicated, expensive, and dangerous.

Your mileage may vary.
]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:54:34 +0000 http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5255&PID=27662#27662