[NEohioPAL] Honoring Commitments, Part 2

Mon Apr 13 10:07:23 PDT 2009

Not to toot my own horn but just to say there are actors out there that DO honor their commitments.

I had a very very minor role in an independent film being shot (unpaid). We had a day scheduled to do "pickup" scenes, the scene had already been shot, I was called by my agency, that I was chosen for a part in an industrial film (paid) on the same day as filming for the pickup scenes. Although I struggled, do I take the paid gig from my agency, or do I keep my commitment to the independent film even though it was JUST pickup scenes and even though it was UNPAID. 

Needless to say...I kept my commitment and turned down the booking from my agency. I figure someday it will come back around to my benefit.

Kathie
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mary McManaway 
  To: DVangaasbe at aol.com ; neohiopal at listserve.com 
  Cc: Lisa Paynter ; ncplayhouse at sbcglobal.net 
  Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 23:08
  Subject: Re: [NEohioPAL] Honoring Commitments, Part 2

  Hi Dave,
  just wanted to let you know that I agree with your comments about these irresponsible actors....just a little observation, though.  You keep referring to all of these theatres as "the playhouse".  We are not the theatre (NOrth Canton Playhouse) that you are referring to, so please clarify that.  And yes, we have instances, throughout the years,  where actors just feel free to walk out because they "got a better part elsewhere".....nothing you can do about it....it is the way it is with volunteers!
  Like you, we work around everyone's schedules.....and some days it is real fun!!

  Mary
  Artistic Director
  North Canton Playhouse 
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: DVangaasbe at aol.com 
    To: neohiopal at listserve.com 
    Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 6:10 PM
    Subject: [NEohioPAL] Honoring Commitments, Part 2

    I have received several e-mails from other directors who have worse stories than what I had happen.  One director running a weekly mystery theatre discovered much to his shock two days before a performance that one of his actors had a major role in a production somewhere else.  It seems that the young man could not figure out that the Opening Night conflicted with the performance at the mystery theatre.  Ipso facto, a massive scramble to get someone in at the last minute occurred.  The young man knew about this particular opening night for two months and failed to tell the mystery theatre.  

    Another director wrote me and stated that a leading actor dropped out of the play only one week before Opening Night.  It was soon discovered that he had accepted a part with another playhouse because he wanted to play that part.  

    A student director had to find two actors two days before her class project was presented to the professor because the leading actor felt that the particular drama being presented did not meet his specifications.  It seemed odd that he had no problem with the drama for weeks.  It was soon discovered that he took a part at another playhouse.  The other actor seemed unable to function without the first actor and dropped out as well.  There's backbone.

    Frankly, I have three weeks to correct the damage.  Already the cast and crew are pulling together to make this play work.  Junior who left us in the lurch did not get the part he wanted and is a member of the ensemble with the other playhouse.  I understand that he is happy as a lark.  Frankly, he does not know how many bridges he burned behind him.  I received notice from another playhouse who figured out who it was stating that he is no longer welcome there either.

    I do believe that we as directors and producers should take a very high road here.  That is we should put the fear of God in these rather talented but rude actors and actresses who believe they can walk out whenever they feel like it.  That means you sit Junior down and tell him or her that he or she will never act again in the area until he or she cleans up the act.  That is you finish what you start.  I have two children.  They are both highly talented and are in demand.  However, they were both told you finish what you start.  Both are no nonsense type people.  Coaches, directors and teachers loved them because they took the responsibility of honoring a commitment.  

    I had a bad feeling two months ago about an actress when I was casting Once Upon a Mattress.  This young talented actress came running in about one and one half hours after auditions started.  She claimed she could not be at the beginning of the auditions because she was in rehearsal for another play.  I allowed her to audition since she was there but I told her that the part she wanted was going to be given to another actress who had shown up on time and in my opinion had more talent.  I did state that I would offer her another part but that I would have to talk to her director in the other play. When I asked for the name of the director who was in the other production so I could coordinate schedules, she balked.  I withdrew the offer.  I later discovered that there was no way that she could have done this play and that play.  Frankly, my instincts clearly showed that she was not happy with the part in the other play.  Unfortunately, she accepted the part.  In my opinion, that means you play the part.  If you are that talented an actor or actress, then it should be a snap to make it work.  

    I did have another actress who was involved in another play when she auditioned.  She was up front about it and gave me her schedule.  I saw that I could use her in Once Upon a Mattress and the part I had for her could accommodate her schedule.  She went to every rehearsal of the other play and when she was not scheduled for rehearsal she came to us.  That is a good actress because she was honest and she was willing to work with everyone.  

    I am asking all directors and producers to honor other playhouses productions. The playhouse that cast Junior has had several of their actors come to my playhouse for major parts.  When I see that there is no way we can coordinate a schedule so the actor or actress can play both, I do not cast.  That other director has invested time and energy in directing that actor or actress.  He or she should not have the rug pulled out because Junior who has talent cannot figure out that commitment means to the end of the production.  

    David Van Gaasbeek, Director and Producer, Canal Fulton Players

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