In order to help new actors know what to expect and get them familiar with live theater I'm putting together an actor's packet.

So far I have a list of Do's and Don'ts and a vocabulary list. I would love to hear your dos and don'ts.  What are you pet peeves in the rehearsal process and what do you want to see from actors?

We are doing this in an effort to make people feel more secure and comfortable and give them an idea of what to expect while working with us so suggestions on what you include in an introductory packet would be greatly appreciated.

Here are the Do's and Don'ts I have so far:

 

Do show up on time. Remember, everyone’s time is important. When you are late you waste the time of the rest of the cast and crew who are waiting for you to show up.

Don’t  not call if you are going to be late or miss rehearsal.  It only takes a few minutes to pick up a phone or drop an e-mail informing your director/assistant director/stage manager of what is happening.  Remember, by not calling, you are inconveniencing everyone else involved with the play and showing disrespect.

Do come to rehearsal on time (5 minutes before rehearsal is scheduled to start), warmed up, with your script and pencil ready to work

Don’t come to rehearsal carrying emotional baggage from the ups and downs of “real life” outside the theater.  This is supposed to be your escape and fun.  Leave the off stage drama at the door.

Do provide several character choices and line interpretations for your director.  Be creative.  The worst your director will say is that it doesn’t work.

Don’t tell the director or another actor how someone else’s part should be played.

Do memorize your lines (and lyrics) as quickly as possible, including your cues.  You should be “off book” for a scene the day after it has been blocked.  At the latest, you should be “off book” by the date set by your director.

Don’t feed dialogue to an actor struggling with lines.  Stay in character, and leave that to the stage manager or assistant director.

Do work chase and fight scenes (especially with weapons) in slow motion, step by step, under adult supervision.

Don’t allow your imagination and enthusiasm to turn you into a superhero, Jedi Knight, or ninja.

Do find a way to get along with everyone involved with the cast.

Don’t fall in love with any member of the cast until after the show is over.

 

Hope this helps- - also - looks like you are saying the same thing with Do show up on time and Do come to rehearsal early. 

 

Mary

 

Dear Parents,

 

This year, the Kelly Street Players will be producing two shows:

 

A murder mystery dinner theater on November 15^th and

 

The Wizard of Oz on May 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th.

 

Auditions will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 15^th and 16^th from 1 PM to 6 PM in the gym (a schedule will be distributed at a later date).

 

Auditions are open to grades 5 thru 8

 

Songs will be “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “If I Only Had a Brain”.  Since this show is so common, we will not be handing out CDs with the songs prior to the auditions.  Students will be required to learn the songs on their own.  Dialogue will be handed out at the auditions.

 

What we are looking for in the dialogue/reading…                                                  

• The ability to speak in a loud, clear voice
• The ability to clearly say each word
• The ability to show emotion with your face
• The ability to move around on stage in a manner that enhances the dialogue
• The ability to use your arms, hands, legs, etc. to convey emotion         
• The ability to make large, sweeping motions that could be seen from far away

 

What we are looking for in the song…                                                                                        

• The ability to stay on pitch                                                                           
• The ability to project our voice while singing                                                         
• How well you "sell" the song
• How well you use movement while singing                                                                                 

In order to keep the Kelly Street Players going, and offer this opportunity to your children, we simply must have more help, so:

 

• This year, each family will be required to put in a minimum of 10 hours “sweat equity” on the production itself (set design/construction, costume sewing, cast mom, rehearsal chaperone, program layout, promotions, etc.).  this time can go towards your school hours.
• Also, each actor will be asked to sell at least $50 in ads/boosters (which will NOT be convertible to activity hours).

 

Note:  Parents may wait in the staging area on the day of the audition, but will not be allowed in the audition room itself.

 

Have fun

For the good of the playhouse

 

These are the three simple rules we live by at our theatre.  They are so much a part of our group we have them on the wall of our main room. 

Or will again soon?