Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: changing profanity

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JoeMc
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Posted: 7/25/06 at 3:51pm

It is always a good idea to print warnings of language, nudity, explosions & even the use of strobe lighting on stage.
However at times this is not enough with some punters, no matter how explicit the pre warning is.
The weirdest one I witnessed, was while when we were doing ?Steaming?. Which was promoted in the media & even on the marquee, programmes & tickets. As having ?6 naked women? on stage during the play. Yet there was one local leading female socialite who caused a big furore in the local papers & TV, that she was completely disgusted seeing the production & called for it to be closed down immediately. When she was quizzed on camera by the news reporter, who asked her why she did not take more heed of the ?6 naked women? warning, that was advertised before hand?
She retorted "Ah yes! But they did not mention in the warning, that they would be actually on stage completely Nude"!
She was quite right of course, but as thick as a brick!
It was great free publicity worth a fortune, but the season was sold out by then anyway.
So in hind sight we were just as dense, because we could have saved a packet paying out on advertising & promotion.

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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theactordavid
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Posted: 7/25/06 at 4:50pm

If only life could be edited as easy as not saying or doing bad things. Indeed life itself is often far harsher than is portrayed on the stage.

I've always used the "adult content" disclaimer with great success. I am currently planning an evening of short one-acts from writers all around the country. A few contain some of that "adult content". I have an 11 year-old and a 70+ year-old interested in participating. I sent the 70 year-old and the 11 year-old's mother an email saying that if there was any expected discomfort due to this, please let me know now.

The 70 year-old said she had "heard 'em all" and probably used a few herself. She had no problem. The 11 year-old's mom said her daughter had certainly heard some of "those" words in life and in school, some around the house even (!), and while she (mom) wishes it weren't so, the daughter was aware of them and how they appear in the theater. She said "If your theater is okay with it, then we're good on this end."

It's just people, I guess, whether in the audience or the cast. All you can hope for is you can get enough of each on both sides of the curtain to pay off.

JMC - love the white space / black space comment. Thanks for sharing that.

There are no small roles, only roles with a low line-load and minimal stage time.

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com

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Shatcher
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Posted: 7/26/06 at 11:49am

We do seem to hit this topic pretty often. I will chime in and Say I agree: the work should be done as written or not done at all. another point is some words of phrases that are off color now were not when the play is set. Also if you try hard enough you can make any word or phrase dirty!

I might also point out that one of the theatres I worked with had its greatest success with the Rocky Horror Show we sold out 30 shows!! and had the most fun I have ever had on a show.Another theatre here has had its only 2 sold out runs with shows that were more than a bit off color( nude sells in the heartland).

Remember 1 patorn does not make your audience. if 100 complain than maybe worry about it but otherwise... @%#&^ them

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pdavis69
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Posted: 8/01/06 at 11:36pm

Double check the nessesity of the word and cut it if you feel it isn't needed. People do it all the time. Actors screw up lines every night and yet we still have an abundance of community theatres operating in the country. You know your audience and your actors better than the rest of us do. It is my opinion that many writers throw these words in just to use "dirty" words and many actors want to say things they don't have the grit to use in their regular lives. It's their little way at getting back at "the man".

Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

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JoeMc
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Posted: 8/02/06 at 8:46am

There is a court room of difference, between the man, accepting a fluff for an accident or taking a gold brick for intent!

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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POB14
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Posted: 8/02/06 at 9:27am

Originally posted by pdavis69

It is my opinion that many writers throw these words in just to use "dirty" words and many actors want to say things they don't have the grit to use in their regular lives. It's their little way at getting back at "the man".

Examples, please? If you think these writers are such hacks, why would you do their plays?

Most of the actors I know curse much worse offstage than on. Myself included; I prosecute sex offenders for a living, and when I call somebody a co******er, I mean it literally.

Double check the nessesity of the word and cut it if you feel it isn't needed. People do it all the time.

Yep, because obviously the measure of what is right and legal is whether or not you are likely to get caught.

POB
Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 8/02/06 at 4:59pm

POB, you crack me up

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castMe
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Posted: 8/02/06 at 5:23pm

POB LOLOL

Investigate. Imagine. Choose.

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B-M-D
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Posted: 8/02/06 at 11:27pm

Originally posted by pdavis69

Double check the nessesity of the word and cut it if you feel it isn't needed. People do it all the time. Actors screw up lines every night and yet we still have an abundance of community theatres operating in the country. You know your audience and your actors better than the rest of us do. It is my opinion that many writers throw these words in just to use "dirty" words and many actors want to say things they don't have the grit to use in their regular lives. It's their little way at getting back at "the man".

OMG don't get me started on this topic again!! POB and JoeMc great come backs!

But please allow me the pleasure of also taking pdavis to the wood shed: You do not under any circumstances have the right to intentionally change one word of the playwright's material without express permission of the playwright or whatever entity controls the performance rights to the work. You do not own the work. When you license the material to be performed you have agreed to perform it as written. If you are unable to perform it as written then don't produce the show. It's simple as that and whether or not a playwright has as you put it thrown in dirty words just to use them is irrelevant and not the least bit germane to the point.

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard."

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POB14
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Posted: 8/08/06 at 4:47pm

Removed, because the post I was replying to seems to be gone.

POB
Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Topic: changing profanity( Topic Closed)
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