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totoks
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bullet Topic: So I said, "Why don't we do a play?" HELP!!
    Posted: 10/17/07 at 12:28am
Whilst preparing for praise band practice at church, I, trying to plan ahead for Christmas, asked what we were going to do this year - and when.  When noone volunteered anything, I suggested that we do a play.  Our dear and glorious praise band leader said, "great - you write it!" 
 
So I did and now, by default, I am also directing said Christmas play (called "Shenandoah: A Christmas Story")
 
My problem (naturally) is that I know nothing about directing (never mind that I knew nothing about writing, and re-writing, and re-writing, and ...) or anything related to putting on a play.
 
I have read many posts here that have been scary - I'm gonna bomb, ain't I? - but also very helpful.  I'll continue to search the various subjects for the words of wisdom that will guide me on my chosen path.  However, I would be grateful for any words of wisdom directed at me in my endeavor.
 
My experience is zero.  My school, no schooling, no directing (unless you count directing traffic around an accident - once).
 
I don't know what blocking is (umm, maybe football).
 
HELP
theatre... [t]he natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster. (from "Shakespeare In Love")
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Gaafa
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bullet Posted: 10/17/07 at 3:48am
totoks there is an article on the front page of this site, which gives an idea of the different sections, that you will come across.
'The Director's Boot camp;-
http://www.communitytheater.org/articles/act_di_cr/bootcamp.htm

Check out the 'Book Nook' there as well.
As you wrote it, your half way there. The first things to do is sort out the budget, venue & find a stage manager.
Get all you black ducks in a row, in consultation with the SM & pick your Production Team.
Get the Band Leader or your money person, as a Producer, to take all that rubbish off your shoulders.
I'm sure members of the band may have production experiance or know bods wo can help.
Keep us informed what you upto & how your going &/or if we can help, as there are loads of experiance here, who I'm sure would only be too willing to assist. Even with questions that might be off the wall or you might think stupid? Shocked
So keep us in the picture. "If you don't know - ask!"Wink


 
      Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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totoks
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bullet Posted: 10/17/07 at 9:33pm
Joe:  Thank you!  We started rehearsal tonight with food, and I arbitrarily volunteered various personnel to stage manager, assistant director; etc.   I was amazed at how quickly people took over.  The stress just disappeared.Tongue  I still know very little, but things are moving.  The leader of the band has taken all the music upon her shoulders.  I feel like this might actually be fun.  again, thanks
theatre... [t]he natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster. (from "Shakespeare In Love")
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Gaafa
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bullet Posted: 10/17/07 at 11:03pm
A great start, your on your way mate!
It's always great when they come out of the woodwork, to share the load.
Being the owner of the 'black bits' of the script. Take time out to workshop the script with the cast. This will help to hone the piece in respect to the production, venue, cast & crew.
One thing that helps me remember 'what we are about' is this;-
"To aproach the stranger,
release a new force
or let the genie out of the bottle.
It is to start a new train of events
beyond your control."
T S Eliot 'The cocktail Party'.
Also a thing to keep in mind is to use the old 'Talking Stick' method every now & then. If you take it on board as a tool, it can help resolve conflics & a heap of production problems, by affording the whole company a conduit for thier vioce into the production.
      Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Aimee
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bullet Posted: 10/24/07 at 1:11am
I think many of us started in a similar fashion. I was approached by a former teacher/director 15 yrs after I finished school and he said "I've got the perfect job for you" I recall knowing (remebering) very little of my previous experiences onstage.
 Right now I am working with a director I have worked with in the past on a church Christmas production that she is directing. She recruited me to design the sets/ some of the lighting and call the show.
Remember to Delegate!  Once you get everyone(sets/costumes/lights/props/etc) on the same page around your vision, work with them, but let THEM do their work. Other wise you'll go crazy LONG before the show itself, You'll be hectic enough organizing and holding rehearsals. 
The great thing about this site, there are plenty of resources to tap into...it's endless, Joe's right, ask away! Someone has done, is doing it or knows someone who did it..and food is always a good way to start.
Good luck!
 
Aimee
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totoks
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bullet Posted: 10/30/07 at 2:41pm

Aimee:  Thank you.  You are right:  the resources on this board are indeed endless!  I have to be careful, or I spend more time than I really have.

 

Things are moving along.  We’re pointing toward a December 9 opening (and closing) night (so, no, Winston, I cannot send you tickets for the second night!)

 

We’re a small church and have more elders than young people.  I’ve had to eliminate two sons/brothers because of lack of male players.  I’ve also had to double up because of soccer conflicts (hmm).  Ermm

 

My orchestra leader (the piano player) is very talented and has bought into the mood(s) of the play.  My stage manager makes up in enthusiasm what he lacks in skills.  My book holder gets so caught up in the lines that she sometimes to forget to wait for “line.”   The Assistant Director doubles/triples for Narrator1/Narrator2/Narrator 1 & 2 (and sometimes, without meaning to, book holder!)

 

We’re stumbling through blocking.  Ouch  My lighting tech (the only one who really knows what he’s doing) suggested to me that I let the players use their scripts while they learn the blocking.  Made sense to me.  So, we’re off-and-on-again script while we do this terrible two-step on stage.

 

Only the thought of listening to Tiptoe Through The Tulips for all eternity keeps me from committing sideways.  Just kidding, I think.

 

Anyway, I keep coming back.
theatre... [t]he natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster. (from "Shakespeare In Love")
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bullet Posted: 10/30/07 at 11:01pm
Someone once reduced the entire theatre experience to two rules:  Know your lines and don't bump into the furniture.  In so many ways, it really is as simple as that.

Keep it simple.  Keep it fun. 

If you can do that, you'll be way ahead of so many of the "seasoned pros" I've worked with!

Break a leg!
 
"Security is a kind of death." - Tennessee Williams
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bullet Posted: 11/06/07 at 9:46am
After several years in CT, I yearned for something more than to "know my lines and don't bump into the furniture." (on occasion attributed to Noel Coward, Spencer Tracy, and Danny Bonnaduce).

So, I "founded" my own theatre group, with an initial focus on the process, meaning workshops and discussions, not performances.  At the first meeting/workshop, my daughter attended who did some acting in college.

As we drove to the meeting space, she commented on how nervous she was since she hadn't acted in a number of years.  I said, "You? I've never done THIS before in my life, and these people think I'm going to lead them in a workshop!!!"

Needless to say, it turned out absolutely terrific, and five years later, into our fourth season of shows and sixth of workshops, I now reflect back on that moment with an easy humor.  But then?

In a word: Believe!
In three: Break a leg!
There are no small roles, only roles with a low line-load and minimal stage time.

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com
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neilfortin
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bullet Posted: 11/20/07 at 1:12pm
I'll just throw my two cents in as well, totoks! You guys are going to do great! Just the fact that you have divided up the work load, the stress and given people whose talent lies in different areas their "due" is wonderful!! After acting in alot of CT throughout childhood and HS, a friend and I decided to tackle writing, directing, producing, lighting, dressing, designing, and executing a full summer stock production for the only theater group in town the summer after freshman year of college. We used EVERY available resource, from the local supermarket, to townies, to sending out letters asking for donations! You sound like you are on the right track to have a memorable, fun and fullfilling first performance! This forum is AMAZING for any questions, comments, ideas, or support that you might have or need! Keep us updated!!
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bullet Posted: 11/20/07 at 11:15pm
Neil:  Thank you.  I have a feeling that this is going to be a mixture of wow! and ohmygod-can-i-do-that-one-over-again?  We are coming into the eleventh hour stretch and I am really beginning to become concerned.  Disapprove   We have two songs without singers (although Suzy told someone who told someone who...that she would sing one of them); the flats started getting constructed TODAY and will be finished (but not painted!) tomorrow; we only have one (ONE!) rehearsal this week and Dress rehearsal is on the 6th, with a VIP showing on Saturday the 8th and opening (and closing) on the 9th!!!  We have not, as yet, had any sound effects or lighting.  And Jacob, the oldest Anderson may not be able to be at the opening (and closing) and, (did I forget to mention?)  Suzy cannot be at the VIP showing (She's only Martha!) because she is a bridesmaid at some stupid wedding!! (Haven't they heard that 50 per cent or marriages end in divorce, anyway?)  But other than that everything seems to be okay.  Oh, and we don't have any Union or Confederate Jackets, or hats, yet but they may (or may not) be on their way from Kentucky.
theatre... [t]he natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster. (from "Shakespeare In Love")
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