GCP Girl: Why did you want to direct "Hairspray"?
PT: I wanted to direct "Hairspray" because it offers lots of great roles to a diverse group of actors and, to be honest, it should bring in much needed money for the GCP. Additionally, it’s been a while since I’ve directed a musical and this should be a fun one to get back into it.
GCP Girl: Tell me about your vision for the production.
PT: My vision is “embrace the cheese.”
GCP Girl: Is there anything specific you are looking for in the actors who audition? If someone wants to impress you, what should she or he do?
PT: I want actors who are confident, have a good sense of humor and who, when on the stage, stay focused and in character (this means everybody, even the “chorus”). Obviously, they also must meet basic singing and dancing requirements. Other than that, it is very important that every actor recognizes that, although we will have fun, that fun begins with following all of the basic rules about being on time and prepared for rehearsals, being off book by the deadline I will give and treating everyone with respect. Pasted below is a list of the rehearsal rules.
I want entertainers, not just people who can sing. So, sing to the audience. The more energy and pizzazz I see, the more you will impress me.
GCP Girl: Is there anything special auditioners should be prepared to do?
PT: Just be prepared with appropriate clothing to sing, dance and act.
GCP Girl: Any songs you do NOT want to hear?
PT: I do not want to hear you sing songs that you are not comfortable with. Also, I am not a fan of songs that do not have a strong melody, not for this show. Chose an upbeat, snappy song you are comfortable with. For those who are going for leads, these roles often involve songs that require a good belt.
GCP Girl: Anything else you'd like to add?
PT: I know I sound very rule-oriented, but I do this to avoid problems. I have an undergraduate degree in directing and have directed more than 30 shows in the last 24 years. I have learned that an “ounce of prevention” is truly worth “a pound of cure.” I want your experience to be an enjoyable one and I want us to do the best job we possibly can. The whole production team will work hard to use your time wisely.
REHEARSAL RULES
Don’t want to be a pain, but we find that if we set the grounds rules at the beginning, everyone tends to get along better and rehearsals run more smoothly. So ......
Generally:
Hardly anyone gets paid** at GCP. We all volunteer our time and efforts because we love theater and want to put on quality shows. For the last 80 plus years, this group of unpaid volunteers have managed to do this just that. And build a new state-of-the-art theater. We are very proud of this. (** Just recently, we hired a part-time technical director - Thomas Muhn. Also, we pay our musicians.)
Because we are all volunteers and all have other demands on our time, we must all respect each other and the show.
This begins with respect for the people in charge. The Director is the overall authority in the show until tech week. After that, the Asst. Director, Head Production Asst. and State Manager is in charge. The Costumer, Props, Set and Lighting Designers all have control over their respective areas. Treat these people with the utmost respect. They have years of theatrical experience and training and have worked for many months to make your show possible. Following the rules listed below will help you show this respect.
It is also very important to respect each other as actors. Coming to rehearsal on times, prepared and ready to go is paramount to this respect. When you are late or (heaven forbid) miss a rehearsal, you are telling your fellow actors that they aren’t worth your time. The other actors get angry because they either have: 1. to wait around for you, 2. have someone else read your lines, or 3. have to adjust for and pretend someone is moving around. Most plays are all about the ensemble - you can’t really rehearse anything well w/out everyone being there and prepared.
Keeping all of this in mind, here are a few rules a matters of etiquette:
I. Rehearsals begin promptly. Late actors should just get on-stage and join the group. Explanations for lateness can be made during a break.
- Please sign-in when you come to rehearsal: the sign-in sheet will be on the board in the greenroom.
- Once you sign-in, you should not leave the theater without telling the Assistant Director, Head Production Assistant or Stage Manager.
2. As a courtesy to your fellow actors, please, no talking during rehearsals, backstage or in the audience - if you need to talk, go to the green room or lobby.
3. You must be off-book by xxx; no calling for lines after xxx.
4. When you call for lines, you must stay in character.
5. No one but the Director, Choreographer or Music Director may stop a scene.
6. Actors must write down all notes.
7. When the Director, Choreographer or Music Director gives notes, just accept the note without explanation or excuses - you can give explanations later if necessary.
8. Actors may not give directions to another actor without the express permission of the Director, Choreographer or Music Director.
9. Treat each other respectfully please. Remember that we are all volunteers. If you have a problem with another actor that can’t be resolved politely and diplomatically with the other actor, discuss it with the Director, an Assistant Director or Stage Manager, rather than the rest of the cast.
10. Do not give any other actor negative comments.
11. Do not interrupt the Director once rehearsal begins unless there is a break - instead go to an Assistant Director, Production Assistant or Stage Manager.
12. Unless it’s an emergency, personal phone calls should only be made during rehearsal breaks. Do not use the GCP phone for more than 2-3 minutes at a time.
13. All cell phones should be turned off, or set to vibrate, during rehearsals and performances.
14. There is no paid cleaning staff for the backstage or audience areas of GCP. Each show assumes responsibility for the theater cleanliness when it occupies the theater. All cast members must assist in keeping the theater clean. Do not leave empty food or drink containers or other trash, laying about. We will have a cleaning list posted during later rehearsals and during performances so we can rotate cleaning duties.
15. You are responsible for closing any of the side or back doors you prop open.
16. Food, candy drinks etc... may only be consumed in the green room. Only bottled water may be brought into the auditorium.
17. Actors and staff should use the bathrooms in the dressing rooms.
18. During rehearsals, actors must stay on the stage, lobby, audience areas, the green room or the dressing rooms. Other backstage areas are off limits.
19. Actors are responsible for keeping track of the action on stage so that they make their entrances on time.
20. When we start doing warm-ups, everyone must be on-stage for warm-ups, even if they don’t participate.
21. Please do not criticize the set, costumes, lights or props. It’s not your place. These people work for free, and negative comments are considered highly unprofessional. If you see a problem in those areas that the Director may have overlooked, you may talk with the Director about it in private.
22. A special note on costumes. GCP, like all community theaters, has problems getting volunteers to do costumes for shows, often because it is difficult dealing with some of the actors. So, when you get your costume, just say ‘I love it - thank you.’ No hidden tears, no passive-aggressive behavior, just a cheery smile. Keep in mind the following: 1. The Costumer is responsible for what you look like on stage - her name is the one on the program for costuming, not yours. 2. The Costumer does not get paid and, like-you, has a full-time job during the day, plus a family. Thus, she is often up very, very late doing these costumes and puts way more time into them then you have into rehearsals. 3. You are not portraying yourself on stage, you are your character. The Costumer and Director will pick costuming, hair and make-up that is appropriate for your character, the historical period and their vision.
23. It’s important that you get use to the shoes you will be wearing in the show. So, during rehearsals, we would like you to wear either the actual shoes you will be wearing or something similar. Guys, that means lace-up dress shoes. Girls, that means character shoes. In any event, absolutely no sandals and no going barefoot.
24. No rough-housing around the theater - we want everyone to stay safe and sound.
25. To avoid missing props when they start arriving, do not touch a prop unless it’s yours.
26. The Costumers will be working in the costume construction room and the dressing rooms during rehearsals. They welcome offers of help, but try not to interrupt them too much. And although everyone is very curious about their costumes, it’s hands-off until the Costumer gives her permission.
27. Make an effort to help everyone feel part of the ensemble. Some people may be shy, so (especially you old GCPers) befriend each other. A smile goes a long way!
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