Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Nunsense

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Pheonixfyre
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Joined: 3/25/05
Location: United States
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Topic: Nunsense
Posted: 4/18/05 at 10:58am

I am directing Nunsense this summer, and though this kind of thing may
be perfect for my theater, i have one problem. There are five roles and I
have six actresses. i had thought to add a nun character as a walk-on
that doesnt speak, but that would keep us from using a very talented
lady's vocal talents. Putting her in this kind of role would (and has
already) made her very upset. As a director i know that i have to do
what's good for the show, but i dont want to be responsible for losing
one of our talented people. Any kind of feedback or ideas you could give
me would be a big help.

I think I'll try Defying Gravity

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JCCTony
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Joined: 2/03/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 73

Posted: 4/18/05 at 11:05am

How did you get six actresses? If there were only 5 roles, only 5 actresses would have gotten parts unless my math is off. If this is some kind of troupe then maybe nunsense isn't the best idea? if it was selected by a board then one of the actors will just have to accept it and understand that altering the show isn't something you should do. Community theatre or not we should all do our best to act like professionals.

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Scott B
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Joined: 12/08/04
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Posts: 239

Posted: 4/18/05 at 11:49am

Nunsense has a great track record and will more than likely do fine.

There are two things to remember ... first of all many of your patrons will more than likely know the show and would be confused at the addition of an extra nun. Second, should you decide to use her you are in effect changing the show. I'm sure that would be highly frowned upon.

I agree with Tony ... sometimes people just have to suck it up and do what's best for the group and quit thinking about themselves. We don't always get the role we audition for and in some cases may not be cast at all.

I would look for other ways to utilize her talents ... either helping out the producer, musical director ... anything at all to keep her involved. But ... that does not mean finding a place for her on stage.

We all hate to lose talented people, but on the other hand we cannot allow selfish actors to dictate terms. If they want to "take their ball and go home" then there's nothing we can do about it.

In my opinion it would be a very small actor to take that type of position.

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Purplerose1023
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Posted: 4/18/05 at 4:37pm

As someone who has been involved with multiple productions of Nunsense, I would only say this...Please read your contract carefully. You cannot alter the cast requirements and cast additional people or this may cause you to lose your rights to produce the show altogether - Mr. Goggin is very active about checking on this....my suggestion is to double cast, split your performances between the two women and on the nights they are not playing the role - have them act as stage manager. This worked beautifully in one of the productions I was a part of.

Purplerose1023

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Topper
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Joined: 1/27/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 543

Posted: 4/19/05 at 11:16am

Another option is to utilize the extra actress as
Understudy. In the unfortunate event one of your first
five develops laryngitis or has other personal
problems crop up, you will already be prepared.

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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Linda S
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Joined: 4/16/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 312

Posted: 4/19/05 at 2:35pm

I agree with Purplerose1023. You don't want to do anything that will jeopordize your contract. Cast what is best for the show and be upfront and honest with all of the women. They know there are only five parts and six of them. Good Luck.

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Pheonixfyre
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Joined: 3/25/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 0

Posted: 4/21/05 at 12:01pm

Thanks guys...the problem seems to have cleared itself up. The other actress decided to throw a temper tantrum

so i just decided not to deal with her at all. Thanks for your replies tho, you were all very helpful

I think I'll try Defying Gravity

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Author	Message
Pheonixfyre Walk-On Joined: 3/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Nunsense Posted: 4/18/05 at 10:58am
	I am directing Nunsense this summer, and though this kind of thing may be perfect for my theater, i have one problem. There are five roles and I have six actresses. i had thought to add a nun character as a walk-on that doesnt speak, but that would keep us from using a very talented lady's vocal talents. Putting her in this kind of role would (and has already) made her very upset. As a director i know that i have to do what's good for the show, but i dont want to be responsible for losing one of our talented people. Any kind of feedback or ideas you could give me would be a big help.
	I think I'll try Defying Gravity

	IP Logged

JCCTony Star Joined: 2/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 73	Posted: 4/18/05 at 11:05am
	How did you get six actresses? If there were only 5 roles, only 5 actresses would have gotten parts unless my math is off. If this is some kind of troupe then maybe nunsense isn't the best idea? if it was selected by a board then one of the actors will just have to accept it and understand that altering the show isn't something you should do. Community theatre or not we should all do our best to act like professionals.
	IP Logged

Scott B Celebrity Joined: 12/08/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 239	Posted: 4/18/05 at 11:49am
	Nunsense has a great track record and will more than likely do fine. There are two things to remember ... first of all many of your patrons will more than likely know the show and would be confused at the addition of an extra nun. Second, should you decide to use her you are in effect changing the show. I'm sure that would be highly frowned upon. I agree with Tony ... sometimes people just have to suck it up and do what's best for the group and quit thinking about themselves. We don't always get the role we audition for and in some cases may not be cast at all. I would look for other ways to utilize her talents ... either helping out the producer, musical director ... anything at all to keep her involved. But ... that does not mean finding a place for her on stage. We all hate to lose talented people, but on the other hand we cannot allow selfish actors to dictate terms. If they want to "take their ball and go home" then there's nothing we can do about it. In my opinion it would be a very small actor to take that type of position.
	IP Logged

Purplerose1023 Walk-On Joined: 4/18/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/18/05 at 4:37pm
	As someone who has been involved with multiple productions of Nunsense, I would only say this...Please read your contract carefully. You cannot alter the cast requirements and cast additional people or this may cause you to lose your rights to produce the show altogether - Mr. Goggin is very active about checking on this....my suggestion is to double cast, split your performances between the two women and on the nights they are not playing the role - have them act as stage manager. This worked beautifully in one of the productions I was a part of.
	Purplerose1023
	IP Logged

Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 4/19/05 at 11:16am
	Another option is to utilize the extra actress as Understudy. In the unfortunate event one of your first five develops laryngitis or has other personal problems crop up, you will already be prepared.
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
	IP Logged

Linda S Celebrity Joined: 4/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 312	Posted: 4/19/05 at 2:35pm
	I agree with Purplerose1023. You don't want to do anything that will jeopordize your contract. Cast what is best for the show and be upfront and honest with all of the women. They know there are only five parts and six of them. Good Luck. L.
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Pheonixfyre Walk-On Joined: 3/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/21/05 at 12:01pm
	Thanks guys...the problem seems to have cleared itself up. The other actress decided to throw a temper tantrum so i just decided not to deal with her at all. Thanks for your replies tho, you were all very helpful
	I think I'll try Defying Gravity
	IP Logged

Topic: Nunsense( Topic Closed)