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Since we all want to have fun this summer...
 | The following is a list of things I have learned working in Washington
Area Community Theater as an actor, director, technician and stage
manager. When a cast and crew are truly working together with mutual
respect, creativity and with a genuine investment in the production, the show is always fun and successful, both artistically and
financially.
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| None of us are getting paid for this work (including the
band). We do it for the audiences entertainment, for the art, for the fun,
for the friendships and we do it out of our love for theater. But, it takes work and
commitment in order to achieve that entertainment, art, fun and love.
We all have jobs, family commitments, and we all fight the same
traffic. Everyone has a bad day once in a while. Please, leave
it outside the rehearsal door. Come to rehearsals ready to work.
If we can get 2 to 2½ hours of "good work" in each evening, we
can leave at 10pm and go relax at a restaurant for drinks and food
afterward.
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| Conditioning - stay fit and healthy. Do not change hair styles or
physical appearance (i.e. severe sun tanning or burning) without checking
with the director first. Also, take care of your voice. Rock
music is very hard on the voice, please don't exacerbate the problem outside
of rehearsal.
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| Rehearsals will begin at the scheduled time, if you have a work-related,
family-related, traffic-related or health-related conflict, it is your
responsibility to notify a stage manager or a member of the directing team
in advance of rehearsal starting. If you are late, the best apology is
to come in and get to work and then stay late to work with a stage manager
or director to find out what you missed.
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| Anyone that does not demonstrate an appropriate work ethic and commitment
to this production will be asked to leave the production. No one is irreplaceable.
This applies throughout the rehearsal and performance schedule. We
have all been on shows where replacing one or two people would make the
"process" and the "production" better. The
directing team reserves the right to replace any member of the cast or crew
if they demonstrate a lack of commitment to the production, lack of respect
for the rest of the cast and/or production team, continued disagreement with
direction (especially during rehearsal) or excessive conflicts/absences not agreed to by the directing
team.
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| Theater is a collaborative art. As the director, it is my job to
guide the "whole production" to serve the vision of the
playwright, the quality of Elden Street Players, and ultimately to provide
the audience with an evening of artistic entertainment. To that end, I
want and demand your input about the production, primarily with regard to
your "role" (but not limited
to) and the other elements that affect it. But, I am
not willing to sacrifice the whole for any piece. Everyone may
contribute to the vision, but it must be one vision in the end. Yours
may be different, but I will expect everyone to support the vision of the
"entire production" regardless of your opinions. I encourage
you to come to me with problems, ideas, or concerns, but be ready to accept
"No" for an answer, if I or a member of the directing team deems
it contrary to the production as a whole.
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| This particular show has the added "benefit" of expecting
audience participation. Learning how to deal with it or ignore it will
be vital. Developing and maintaining unbreakable characters will be
paramount. We may choose to "break" character during the
show, but those will be pre-determined choices, not constant and varying
ad-libs. At the heart of "Rocky Horror Show" there is a
story that is being told. If the audience pulls the "actor"
out of character consistently, then the story is lost. We will make it
campy and give them the expected participation moments, but we will
"rarely" allow them to affect the story.
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| All cast and crew members are expected to be ready to do what needs to be
done for the show. This includes helping backstage and in running the
show. Cast and crew members may be asked to move set pieces, assist in
costume/makeup/hair changes, backstage vocal support, etc. As a
rule, I do not "pamper" the talent. Your makeup, your
costume, your props, your microphone, your role onstage and backstage
(etcetera) are your responsibility. If you cannot handle your
responsibilities, or worse, are unwilling to handle them, you will be
replaced.
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| Rich Klare is the producer and the "money-man." If you
expect reimbursement for any expenses (makeup, costumes, props, wigs, shoes,
etc.), they are to be cleared with him prior to purchase. If he says
no, you may appeal to the director, but chances of a favorable appeal are
slim. :) This is the way Rich and I like it, because it works. Believe me,
if it is vital, Rich will listen to me, but he and I see eye-to-eye on most "extra
costs."
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| If you have a problem with me or another member of the production
team, PLEASE talk to me or talk to someone on the production team.
Don't let things fester or instigate divisive behaviors. My stage
managers, the producer (Rich), the music director (Mel) and the
choreographer (Forest) are all there as outlets for you to share your
concerns and ideas. If one of us "is the problem", then tell
one of the others and they will find a way to break it to the other person
for you (anonymously, if necessary). Or, if you are witness to
behavior that is detrimental to the production, let someone know. If I
we were all getting paid, then maybe it would be worth a few "bad
apples," but it's not when you are doing it for the fun and the
"bad apples" prevent it from being fun.
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| Lastly, I promise that I
and the entire production team will do everything we can to respect your
time, allow you to creatively add to the success of the production and
appreciate the effort you commit to this production. We all know that
occasionally, wasted
time is unavoidable (especially during tech week when fixing a moment can
take minutes), but stay focused
and committed.
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| Rocky Horror is going to be a great experience this summer. I hope you are a part of it. |
Sincerely,
Todd C. Huse
Director
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