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Shatcher
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bullet Posted: 4/26/07 at 2:02pm
I did stock one summer in this tiny Wi town and we has to do a reciving line after every show. Producer called it the enjoyed it line. We called it the kiss my butt line. It was always in full dress outside, the cast would exit the stage from call through the house and right to the line. The actors hated it.
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DramaTrauma
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bullet Posted: 4/26/07 at 2:59pm
Originally posted by Shatcher

I did stock one summer in this tiny Wi town and we has to do a reciving line after every show. Producer called it the enjoyed it line. We called it the kiss my butt line. It was always in full dress outside, the cast would exit the stage from call through the house and right to the line. The actors hated it.


Is this a popular practice? I saw a show in NJ where the cast did this - full dress, immediately following curtain call. Very awkward, couldnt get past them without saying something as they were lined up right by the door. I hope that theater's abandon this tradition. It's quaint, I guess, but so lame.
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bullet Posted: 4/26/07 at 10:47pm
It is uncomfortable. But what can you do if it is the policy of the theater? If you don't go out, then you're a "diva" or hard to work with, etc.
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bullet Posted: 5/17/07 at 9:36pm
This is a question somewhat along the same lines.  How about a director backstage before the show and during intermission.  I actually when I stage managed kicked a director out from backstage and the greenroom.  He kept on giving notes to the actors and he even went as far as to stick post-it notes backstage.  I ripped all these down of course.  The cast was very upset and distressed at the dirctor's constant presnece so I asked him to leave and told him he could only come to the green room after the show.  He was very nasty about it and said it wasn't my show, it was his show and he had every right to do as he pleased.  I held fast to my convictions and still 'kicked him out'.  This is the only time in all my years of doing theatre that I've had this problem. 
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theGeneral96
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bullet Posted: 5/17/07 at 11:43pm
I know where you're coming from. As an actor it's discouraging to be told your performance insn't up to par, especially when you think you're having a great one! We had a director show up at intermission and proceed to tell us to get our energy up and things like that. The Director thought they were being helpful, but it just made us actors self-consious of our performances.
It's been Surreal!
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red diva
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bullet Posted: 5/18/07 at 9:43am
At the risk of seeming redundant......NYET!  NO!  NON!  NEIN! to allowing audience members/friends/etc. backstage at intermission.  A particular gripe of mine is cast members that allow (or invite) their young, noisy, active, and (dare I say it) obnoxious children into the dressing room to spend intermission "entertaining" the cast.  What are they thinking?  Oh, wait....I guess they're not.
 
Our dressing rooms are downstairs, adjacent to the reception room where audience members come at intermission for refreshments and bathrooms.  If they come down before a show to use the facilities (and there aren't too many that do), there is always a chance that they might run into an actor in costume.  We're fairly comfortable with that, as those that don't want that to happen stay in the dressing rooms.  We don't require actors to stay in the dressing room before the show, but do at intermission (or they can choose to stay backstage). 
 
I have a real problem with theatres that prohibit actors from greeting friends, families, and admirers from the audience in costume.  These people have come down, in many cases, to offer the actors QUICK congratulations, and often will leave before seeing the actors if they are in the dressing room changing, perhaps thinking that they aren't coming out.  I think it's a bit inconsiderate to make those people who support your theatre by donations and ticket purchases wait while cast members perform sometimes lengthy costume changes.  A university theatre that I've worked at even requires the actors to remove make-up before greeting visitors!  How rude is that? 
 
Since the performers in our shows have to go through the reception area to get to the dressing rooms, it is a simple matter for them to wait for a few minutes in that area until the audience comes downstairs to see them.  I don't think it destroys the illusion that the actors have created on stage because the show is over and the make believe is no more!
 
And as for receiving lines?  UGH!!!  As both an actor and an audience member, I find them repugnant.  I hate to feel that I'm forcing the audience to say something nice to me.  And I hate to feel that I'm being forced to say something nice to the actors!
"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"
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MartyW
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bullet Posted: 5/19/07 at 8:27pm
Was that a recent problem red?
Marty W

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biggertigger
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bullet Posted: 5/19/07 at 10:40pm
This made me think about a time I directed a show for a theater that had the snack bar next to the enterance to back stage.  The theater required that the next show in rehearsal was required to man the snack bar for the current show and our cast had a bit of a problem with that cast (i.e. light cues erased, props moved, etc.)  Well, this particular night one of the actors decided he wanted to go back stage while waiting for intermission.  He noticed one of my cast wearing an apron and he demanded the actor take it off because it was his he loaned for a previous show and forgot to get back.  This was right there minutes before the actor was to go on stage.  This was a costume piece I found in the costume closet so I figure fair game.  I was in the light booth and could hear them arguing up there.  I had to run down and instead of fighting gave him the stupid apron and told him to leave back stage. 
How petty do you have to get just because you are upset over a show that was selling out and extended into your run.  This was not my idea to extend, the board made the decision.  Incidently, the next show flopped. 
I am a firm believe that the back stage and all parts there of, are complete off limits to audience and those not directly involved with the show, for the full duration of the run.  Cast should be out of costume and make up prior to meeting up with their waiting audience.  However, if there are private dressing rooms and the actor assigned to the dressing room wishes to meet with friends after the show, then they do have the right to escort them back there.  But I don't know of too many places that have private assigned dressing rooms.
 
The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.
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bullet Posted: 5/20/07 at 12:58pm
I believe I am about to start some major controversy here:
 
I let my actors out at pre-show and intermission in costume--but they have to stay in character.  I used to keep them sequestered, but tried this once when a lot of them were having "butterflies."  I wanted them to keep their mind on the play and the character without getting nervous, so I let them interact with their friends while maintaining in character.  When it was getting close for "Places" I or a stage manager would go up to the actor and tell them that another character was looking for them backstage.
 
I also allow them out in costume after the play so they can sign autographs and stuff.
 
OK, you can now go ahead and tell me how horrible I am for breaking theatre traditions.
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trutter
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bullet Posted: 5/20/07 at 9:20pm
We've never had a problem of audience members backstage or in the dressing room at intermission. Surprising, really, since the restrooms are "shared" - one door leads to the public hallway, the other to the makeup room.

Alas we too do the "receiving line" although nobody really knows why or how it started.  I asked about it once, but as a performer, I don't really mind.  I never once thought the audience members would hate it, I guess in my mind of COURSE the audience would want to see the cast on the way out. 

All of the points raised here are good ones.   Think our receiving line will stay, but definitely some good points here for and against.
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Troy A. Rutter
Author, "Kids in the Biz: A Hollywood Handbook for Parents"
http://www.kidsinthebiz.com/
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