Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Spike Tape and Sitters and Prep Week, Oh My!

Yesterday, I began my prep week for History Boys which will start of the 2009/2010 season at The Arden. It was great to be back in the building even with all the changes that had taken place over the summer; 5 people had left to pursue other career options.

This is also the week that I panic a bit:
  • Did I line up sitters? Probably

  • Will the kids have enough to eat? It's not like I'll be in Siberia

  • Did I contact everyone about the first rehearsal? So far, so good

  • Will I be able to handle rehearsals, kids, and continue to run? Doubtful

  • Did I tape the stage correctly? This one is a 3/4 thrust so it's pretty easy (no stairs or weird angles)

  • Will I like the cast?
That last one can make or break a show. I don't have to be best friends with the actors. In fact, it's rather difficult since they all take breaks together while I have to work and I'm pretty removed them, especially during tech when they spend more time with the Assistant Stage Manager. But, it makes the 2 1/2 months go by so much smoother if we all get along.

I have worked with actors that I did not like and it's just dreadful. One time, not at the Arden, I worked on a touring show (it toured locally to schools) with just 3 other people. No one liked this one actor and the days just seemed to never end. I bet we all have stories about working with people we just couldn't get along with. My problem is when I find out that this person (that I don't like) has friends because I don't believe it. Really, someone likes him/her? I know, not very nice of me.

This is a cast of mostly young men (early 20's for the most part) and only one other woman. I don't know what it is but it's the second show I've done with mostly guys. I just hope it's a cast I can have a beer with, you know? It's also another show that's going to run about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I swear the Arden picks a show, realizes it's going to be a long one and then calls me to see if I want to Stage Manage it.
But I am excited for History Boys. I read the script a couple of times and I don't think I really get it so rehearsal will be as much as a learning experience for me as it is a time to figure out where the props go. I keep you updated.

7 comments:

  1. the way a team comes together says a lot about the final product...so have a beer, enjoy and get the show on the road. lol. hope all goes smoothly for you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I remember the first time I realized I truly didn't like a person. It was someone I worked with. I was shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you. After a while, I got over myself and realized that she was a bitch, there were people in this world I would never like (how provincial of me not to realize this until I was 30!) and the world wouldn't fall apart. I was ecstatic the day she quit. She was useless at work.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It all sounds very exciting and glamorous. I so miss the theatre. It's really expensive here unless you fork out for a season ticket with one of the reparatory type theatres. I worked with someone I didn't like for 9 years. Buggered if I know how I did it. My only solace, nobody else liked him either. I also work with mostly men. Boring as batshit most of them. Then town planners and engineers can be a bit that way.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This post mimics my lunchtime conversation with a colleague where we just complained and complained about "certain people." We came up with the idea that if we could only have a list that we could add people to and say, "Yeah...these people I don't have to work with." it would be so much easier. But then I think we also realized we'd be working alone an awful lot.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LOL..Boy , I know how you feel...I went to Lee Strasberg in my youth and was part of many a show, was also a prop and a Lighting Tech on the soap opera Guiding Light..Hope it all goes well for ya, and don't let the bad stuff get in your way !! Enjoy !!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I feel you. I've worked with actors I despise (and will never work with again, if I can help it).

    Luckily, it's a bit easier to avoid them in the film world, but still... their stench is usually enough to make me wretch.

    ReplyDelete
  7. These comments were great. I thought at first I was a little mean about working with people I don't like but then I find out, everyone's been there. I'm glad I'm not alone.

    ReplyDelete