Backlash
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2603
Printed Date: 5/19/24 at 7:22am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Backlash
Posted By: Kim L.
Subject: Backlash
Date Posted: 8/25/07 at 7:47am
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I am the technical director for two high school home school co-op productions. I am also the middle school drama teacher. Because of the small size of our production team for the high school class, the 3 teachers (me included) wear many hats.
The director, producer and I made up the casting team. We held auditions for both productions and cast them simultaneously. It was a bear to figure out how to manage the children, look at all the talent and cast kids in their appropriate roles. But, I thought we did a nice job and ended up with two nice casts. We will be performing Little Women and Pride and Prejudice. In the 5 days since we published the cast list, we have suffered terrible backlash. We mainly heard from two moms and heard a little grumbling through the grapevine. One mom, in particular, has been ruthless with her backlash. She also happens to be the owner of the co-op, so we have no way to recast her two daughters because of her poor behavior. One issue with this production and our production last year is that this mom has a natural tendency to direct the director. She was on the production team last year. So, the director had to fight like tooth and nail to get her way. This mom is not on the production team this year but is trying to direct by letting us know what an awful job we did with casting. My thing is that I think the co-op (students as well as parents) could stand to use a lesson on theatre etiquette. I found one gem of an article that spoke about theatre etiquette and how theatre is no democracy. The director has the last say. I would like to find more information on this topic. Can anyone point me to the direction of an article that explains theatre etiquette, in particular as it relates to respecting and listening to the director. I think this may really help with defining the lines that should not be crossed. Thank you, Kim ------------- Kim |
Replies:
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 8/25/07 at 10:27am
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G'day Kim "She owns the coop? Could you explain! Here is a few things you can check out, as well as the 'Book shop' on the front page of the 'Greenroom'. This outlines the basic duties of the
director;-
http://www.aact.org/people/director.html - http://www.aact.org/people/director.html
The Producer;- http://www.aact.org/people/Producer.html - http://www.aact.org/people/Producer.html On the 'Greenroom' Article page;- ../articles/act_di_cr/bootcamp.htm - http://www.communitytheater.org/articles/act_di_cr/bootcamp.htm This seems to ask the same question & may give a few answers from another forum;- Amdram 'Saboteurs' ------------- 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} |
Posted By: Theatrestation
Date Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:09pm
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I strongly suggest you and your other team members do a "community production" next year. Is it possible for you to use the middle school or local church as a venue? So you don't lose money there offer them a percentage of the box office as rent instead of out right off the top payment. A parent like you are describing will literally hold you hostage both in your authority and creativly. ------------- http://www.castbuilding.com http://www.theatrestation.com |
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:17pm
In addition to Joe's question, I'm wondering if you would seriously consider recasting the two daughters of this misbehaving mom.... It isn't their fault that Mom is naughty. Maybe in the future you will want to consider this mom when casting her daughters, but it just doesn't seem right to change your mind -- either to give them better or lesser parts in this production -- because of Naughty Mom.
Do you have any written policies regarding the handling of auditions, casting, rehearsals, etc? Perhaps there should be some. Unruly parents can definitely undermine the authority and the effectiveness of the people in charge. The kid wonders who they are supposed to listen to, mom or director/teacher.
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Posted By: Kim L.
Date Posted: 8/25/07 at 6:42pm
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A home school co-op is a cooperative teaching group for children who are home schooled. Moms come together and pool their resources to provide children with classes they cannot get at home. The drama at our co-op has grown. This year, we are putting on two straight plays with casts of 25 high schoolers in each.
The reason the mom is so upset is that older daughter was cast in a role that younger daughter wanted. Younger daughter was cast in a small part b/c of age and skills. Mom thought the directors should have been sensitive to casting one child in a role the other wanted. It is really silly. Younger daughter is sulking and older daughter is made to feel "evil" (her word, not mine) for being cast in the role. It is very convoluted. The reason I would consider recasting is to send mom a message. We really just need firm rules on arguing with the directors' casting call. That is why I wanted to find resources on "theatre etiquette." I thought we could use the opportunity to teach the students and parents how real theatre is done. Maybe I am fooling myself that this mom would listen. My kids have done community before and have loved it. It is easier for me to get the drama within our group as sort of a one-stop-shop with other subjects. Any leads on theatre etiquette? Books? Articles? ------------- Kim |
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 8/25/07 at 9:36pm
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The article you site in your first post sounds helpful.
Did you use an audition form for them to indicate what roles they were most interested in? Did you ask if they would play a different role than the one they were most interested in -- smaller or larger? If you did, then I would suggest that you talk to the mom (it sounds like that is where the complaining is coming to you from) and explain that the younger daughter will have a chance in future shows after the older one has graduated. That size, height, age, etc. all play a part in your selection process. I would offer the mom the opportunity to remove her daughters from the cast if it is causing strife in their family, but I would also make it clear that if they choose to stay and it causes problems down the road in rehearsals it is your option to cast someone else in the roles. You don't have time to be a referee in a case of sibling rivalry.
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Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 8/26/07 at 8:45am
Sorry to be blunt, but tell the family to get over themselves. The world does not and will not revolve around them. The younger daughter and mother need to realize that there are plenty of times in life you will not get what you want. The older daughter shouldn't feel guilty. Yes, its disappointing not to get what you want and that when someone else wanted what you got you can't be made to feel completely bad about it. What are you teaching kids here, that if you cry and go to mommy then you'll get what you want. It doesn't work this way in life and kids should be made to understand this.
Now, that being said. I am not coming down and trashing this co-op, what you are doing is wonderful. I would suggest that you remember what these lessons are about, teaching children. This is one lesson that should be taught, how to handle disappointment and how to put personal feelings aside and work for the greater cause.
Now go up to this mother, slap her hand and say "bad mommy".  ------------- The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes. |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 8/26/07 at 10:24am
As it is a panel decision on the casting, would not be in order, as it conerns the one family, to bring it to ahead, by requesting she place her grievance before the panel, within say a set time period [7 days] or for ever put a sock in it! {However before any precident is set, adopt a deined policy, after this in camera moot is concluded.} Thus she will believe in her one eyed mind, she will be able to have the casting reconsidered, When in fact it would be a short sharp lesson in Theatre! So bring it on & sock it to her! Like you I could not find anything on a defined etquette, I think because it is to a certain extent derived from traditions of what works best & logic? If it is a Coop - How come she is the owner, rather than just a Coop member stake holder? ------------- 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} |
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 8/26/07 at 3:22pm
 Well said!
You as director, are not required to actively participate in this womans ruining of her children. The fact that they are girls makes it worse for me, I'm so frustrated by this new Paris Hilton worshipping, sweet sixteen loving, I get what I want because I am the only person who really matters culture that has sprung up around young girls these days. ------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: Kim L.
Date Posted: 8/26/07 at 4:09pm
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It is sad that the mom could not see this as a "teachable moment" for her children (especially with regard to theatre). She could have used this to help her daughter understand that theatrical casting is not personal. She could have helped her daughter truly understand that theatrical casting is a match between actor (skill, look, size, etc.) and character (look, size, personality) but not necessarily a reflection on the quality of the actor.
I feel, as a teacher of drama, responsible for trying to teach these concepts to the children. I gues I did not realize that the parents may need lessons too. Admittedly, as an amateur casting team member, I let my feelings get in the way and felt personally attacked instead of realizing (as a drama teacher) that these were just reactive feelings. I am hoping to be able to grow with this experience. My hope is to grow all of us (casting team, mom and 2 daughters) in theatre and in particular with audtions. It is a hard lesson to deliver and to learn. That is why I am on this quest to find printed material on this subject. I think the printed word can sometimes speak louder than a person's verbal lesson. Kim ------------- Kim |
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 8/26/07 at 10:00pm
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Here is a website about Helping Children deal with disappointment.
The second line will make you laugh.
http://www.mcesa.k12.mi.us/Parent%20Resources/Disappointment.htm - http://www.mcesa.k12.mi.us/Parent%20Resources/Disappointment.htm
This mother is acting everybit the stage mother. Help the child to deal with the disappointment. You wont be able to change the mother. You should encourage the mother to do what is best for the children and not what she wants. ------------- The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes. |
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 8/27/07 at 2:35am
You know Kim, it actually sounds like you have a pretty good grasp of the problem and how to approach explaining the facts of theater life to these folks. May I suggest you try holding a meeting/class for all the kids who have or may want to audition AND their parents. You can discuss casting issues and policies, time commitments, audition and rehearsal etiquette, anything you and the rest of the board want to have out there. It would help many of the kids a lot and make them feel a little less nervous at the next audition, and if the moon is full some of the parents might even learn something. I won't pretend that they'll all show up, but the ones that are likely to be a problem wouldn't miss it. It also allows you to make your feelings regarding the current situation heard without specifically "targeting" one parent or family. Sorry for the rambling post but it's just a thought.  ------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 8/27/07 at 9:03am
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This reminds of the story line to 'Gypsy'.
------------- 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} |
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:42pm
 Geez, let us hope it doesn't turn out that way!------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 8/27/07 at 10:10pm
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I think.... {In the words of Noel Coward;-} "Some years ago when I was returning from the Far East on a very large ship, I was pursued around the decks every day by a very large lady. She showed me some photographs of her daughter – a repellant-looking girl and seemed convinced that she was destined for a great stage career. Finally, in sheer self-preservation, I locked myself in my cabin and wrote this song"; – Don’t Put Your Daughter On The Stage, Mrs. Worthington” Don’t put your daughter on the stage, Mrs. Worthington Don’t put your daughter on the stage The profession is overcrowded The struggle’s pretty tough And admitting the fact she’s burning to act That isn’t quite enough She’s a nice girl and though her teeth are fairly good She’s not the type I ever would be eager to engage I repeat, Mrs. Worthington, sweet Mrs. Worthington Don’t put your daughter on the stage Regarding yours, dear Mrs. Worthington Of Wednesday, the 23rd. Although your baby may be keen on a stage career How can I make it clear that this is not a good idea For her to hope and appear, Mrs. Worthington Is on the face of it absurd Her personality is not in reality quite big enough, inviting enough For this particular sphere Don’t put your daughter on the stage, Mrs. Worthington Don’t put your daughter on the stage She’s a bit of an ugly duckling, you must honestly confess And the width of her seat would surely defeat Her chances of her success It’s - it’s a loud voice, and though it’s not exactly flat She’ll need a little more than that to earn a living wage On my knees, Mrs. Worthington, please Mrs. Worthington Don’t put your daughter on the stage Don’t put your daughter on the stage, Mrs. Worthington Don’t put your daughter on the stage Though they said at the school of acting She was lovely as Peer Gynt I’m afraid, on the whole, an ingenue role might emphasize her squint She has nice hands, to give the wretched girl her due But don’t you think her bust is too developed for her age No more buts, Mrs. Worthington, nuts! Mrs. Worthington DON'T PUT YOUR DAUGHTER ON THE STAGE! Mama, is on the same boat! ------------- 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} |