There's always going to be one show where it's a panic show. No one knows their lines, the choreography is a disaster, or whatever problems that plague your production.
One of the mistakes people make so often is jump right up and point fingers. Many times it's at the director, which isn't fair. How is it the director's fault if you don't remember the jazz square during the second verse or you skip an important line in your monologue? Take some initiative and learn your stuff people! The blame game doesn't help you remember your lines so just cut it out.
It's also easy to blame other cast members. And maybe you're right, they did need to know this two weeks ago. But walking around backstage ranting to others how Patti doesn't know her stuff (insert other word of choice, if you so choose). Instead of pulling a Diva Moment offer to help them. Say you'd be glad to run lines with them when your both not on stage. This way you make sure they can get their stuff done and you don't look like a Diva.
If there is bashing going on, my policy (which i think is the best one) is just do what you're supposed to do. You know what's right and wrong and you know that concentrating on the show is the most important thing.
If you keep your focus then putting together a good production should never be an issue.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Performing with Hand held Mic
Performing with a hand held microphone can be different if you don't use them often. After watching performances and performing with one recently, I have these tips for you.
First off every microphone's cone is different. When I say cone I'm talking about how it picks up sound. Some have a larger cone than others and some you have to hold closer to your mouth than others. Try and figure out where you have to hold it before you perform.
If there's no prep time then you'll have to figure it out when you get up there. If it sounds really loud pull back. No one wants to be blasted with sound. I've seen it happen: A performer is singing and doesn't bring the microphone back when they go for a high note or louder and the audience is then blasted by this wave of sound. Please, pretty please for me pull back. Loud and good are not the same. When it comes to singing.
Also if you have to share a microphone with multiple people don't hold the mic right up to your mouth. I know all the pop stars look like they're eating the microphone but do you really want everyone else's germs? Seriously. Avoid eating the mic at all costs.
Also it's not necessary with all microphones to hold it right by the mouth piece. With some it actually interferes with the sound. So I'd hold it in the middle if possible and if you do end up holding it by the mouthpiece it's not the end of the world.
First off every microphone's cone is different. When I say cone I'm talking about how it picks up sound. Some have a larger cone than others and some you have to hold closer to your mouth than others. Try and figure out where you have to hold it before you perform.
If there's no prep time then you'll have to figure it out when you get up there. If it sounds really loud pull back. No one wants to be blasted with sound. I've seen it happen: A performer is singing and doesn't bring the microphone back when they go for a high note or louder and the audience is then blasted by this wave of sound. Please, pretty please for me pull back. Loud and good are not the same. When it comes to singing.
Also if you have to share a microphone with multiple people don't hold the mic right up to your mouth. I know all the pop stars look like they're eating the microphone but do you really want everyone else's germs? Seriously. Avoid eating the mic at all costs.
Also it's not necessary with all microphones to hold it right by the mouth piece. With some it actually interferes with the sound. So I'd hold it in the middle if possible and if you do end up holding it by the mouthpiece it's not the end of the world.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Callback Etiquette
Callbacks: a request to a performer who has auditioned for a role, booking, or the like to return for another audition. This definition is provided by Dictionary.com.
At all the callbacks I have been to, any singing or reading you are asked to do is done infront of everyone else lucky enough to get a callback like you.
This can make things so much more nerve wracking. You worry about whether or not you're going to suck and if you do why would you want to do it infront of your castmates?
Which brings me to the whole point of the post: callback etiquette (that's fancy for manners). First off if you want respect from anyone you give them respect. I don't care how many times they said "media" instead of meh-Dee-uh (I'm refering to the homicidal character from Greek Mythology who goes on a rampage all to get back at her husband. And that's the kid friendly way of saying it) or how out of tune they are, you have to be nice.
Second do not talk about who is there. No matter who you hink deserves to be there or not, the director brought them back for a reason.
Story Time: I was at a callback and I was catching it up with one of my girlfriends. My Girlfriend goes to theatre camp every summer and I truly believe has some pretty well done acting chops. Another one of the girls (unfortunatley another one of my girlfriends) came up and started talking with us. She turns to my friend and says "Oh, why are you here? You don't even sing!"
I'll take a moment so you can all hear the echo of that metaphoric slap in the face. I wish I were making this up. Talking about the other people there is a big No-No.
These are my two biggies. Other than that just act with common sense. The Golden Rule is gold for a reason :)
At all the callbacks I have been to, any singing or reading you are asked to do is done infront of everyone else lucky enough to get a callback like you.
This can make things so much more nerve wracking. You worry about whether or not you're going to suck and if you do why would you want to do it infront of your castmates?
Which brings me to the whole point of the post: callback etiquette (that's fancy for manners). First off if you want respect from anyone you give them respect. I don't care how many times they said "media" instead of meh-Dee-uh (I'm refering to the homicidal character from Greek Mythology who goes on a rampage all to get back at her husband. And that's the kid friendly way of saying it) or how out of tune they are, you have to be nice.
Second do not talk about who is there. No matter who you hink deserves to be there or not, the director brought them back for a reason.
Story Time: I was at a callback and I was catching it up with one of my girlfriends. My Girlfriend goes to theatre camp every summer and I truly believe has some pretty well done acting chops. Another one of the girls (unfortunatley another one of my girlfriends) came up and started talking with us. She turns to my friend and says "Oh, why are you here? You don't even sing!"
I'll take a moment so you can all hear the echo of that metaphoric slap in the face. I wish I were making this up. Talking about the other people there is a big No-No.
These are my two biggies. Other than that just act with common sense. The Golden Rule is gold for a reason :)
Thursday, August 26, 2010
How to Wear
You're all up to date on this seasons it items, trends and have the Visa ready for action. One problem...how on earth are you supposed to pull of this stuff?
I, personally, like wide-leg trousers. They're comfy and stylish (my favorite combination) but, how can you wear them? I say go for a hard core leather jacket. It evens out the look so that you don't look like you have too much going on on the bottom and not enough on top.
One of fall's new looks is polished. Wonderful! I've seen to many people try to go over the top, bigger is not always better. This look is all about beige, light brown, camel and mocha, all very warm colors. To make ti work try adding in some more gold, gray and other muted colors to make it polished not boring.
The military look is all about muddy greens, grays and blacks. It's also all about layers. To make this work add in some leopard print. It spices up the outfit and it's a great way to wear fall's trend of leopard print without looking cheap.
Parts to the military look include pencil skirts, jackets and cargo pants. Cargo pants are hard to wear to I say add some heels. It really can take cargo to the next level.
The school girl look is also coming back. To make sure that no one actually thinks you're a school girl (even if you are) wear something school girl, a skirt or sweater, with something a little chunkier or risky.
The one thing that I know I will be picking up is a trench coat for fall. It's an excellent fashion staple and, alas, I must admit to not having one. I highly recommend it.
I, personally, like wide-leg trousers. They're comfy and stylish (my favorite combination) but, how can you wear them? I say go for a hard core leather jacket. It evens out the look so that you don't look like you have too much going on on the bottom and not enough on top.
One of fall's new looks is polished. Wonderful! I've seen to many people try to go over the top, bigger is not always better. This look is all about beige, light brown, camel and mocha, all very warm colors. To make ti work try adding in some more gold, gray and other muted colors to make it polished not boring.
The military look is all about muddy greens, grays and blacks. It's also all about layers. To make this work add in some leopard print. It spices up the outfit and it's a great way to wear fall's trend of leopard print without looking cheap.
Parts to the military look include pencil skirts, jackets and cargo pants. Cargo pants are hard to wear to I say add some heels. It really can take cargo to the next level.
The school girl look is also coming back. To make sure that no one actually thinks you're a school girl (even if you are) wear something school girl, a skirt or sweater, with something a little chunkier or risky.
The one thing that I know I will be picking up is a trench coat for fall. It's an excellent fashion staple and, alas, I must admit to not having one. I highly recommend it.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Fall Wardrobes
It's that time of year again! Although I personally am hurrying to finish work for AP classes and preparing for my senior year of high school, I'm not talking about school. When I walk into a store I see the September issue of every magazine around me. They're practically novels. My issue of ELLE is 562 pages.
Fall, aka the New Year of fashion, is right around the corner. The fashion world is buzzing with the seasons new trends. What trends you say? Lucky for you I have the answers.
If there is one thing I have scene it's leopard print. I've seen sweaters, pencil skirts, jackets, min dresses, just about everything! This pattern is bold but pulled off right works wonders. As Patti Stanger, the Millionaire Matchmaker of Bravo, says "Men cannot resist animal print."
Also the school girl look is coming back. If your school requires a uniform you're in luck. Those pleated skirts, sweater vests and penny loafers are coming back. As well as the hemlines going down. Finally! After seasons of skirts that I would be afraid to wear without shorts underneath we are going down. The pencil skirt is getting a chance to shine.
As I gaze into my crystal fashion ball I see tunics! And lots of them. I love tunics because they work wonderfully with tights, jeans, and leggings. There is nothing I love more than getting a million looks from one tunic.
Frilly lace is the perfect way to create a feminine look this fall. Personally I find that white is good for day and night,a good soft look but for extra drama at night opt. for black lace. It really makes a statement.
But I caution you with this new style of showing lingerie. Personally I feel that my bra goes under my shirt for a reason. However if you are feeling riskay then be my guest. But remember, slutty is not the same a stylish. You want to show a little not the whole shabang.
I assure you that there will be more to come. After all it's still only August and I am sure that more trends will pop up. TTFN :)
Fall, aka the New Year of fashion, is right around the corner. The fashion world is buzzing with the seasons new trends. What trends you say? Lucky for you I have the answers.
If there is one thing I have scene it's leopard print. I've seen sweaters, pencil skirts, jackets, min dresses, just about everything! This pattern is bold but pulled off right works wonders. As Patti Stanger, the Millionaire Matchmaker of Bravo, says "Men cannot resist animal print."
Also the school girl look is coming back. If your school requires a uniform you're in luck. Those pleated skirts, sweater vests and penny loafers are coming back. As well as the hemlines going down. Finally! After seasons of skirts that I would be afraid to wear without shorts underneath we are going down. The pencil skirt is getting a chance to shine.
As I gaze into my crystal fashion ball I see tunics! And lots of them. I love tunics because they work wonderfully with tights, jeans, and leggings. There is nothing I love more than getting a million looks from one tunic.
Frilly lace is the perfect way to create a feminine look this fall. Personally I find that white is good for day and night,a good soft look but for extra drama at night opt. for black lace. It really makes a statement.
But I caution you with this new style of showing lingerie. Personally I feel that my bra goes under my shirt for a reason. However if you are feeling riskay then be my guest. But remember, slutty is not the same a stylish. You want to show a little not the whole shabang.
I assure you that there will be more to come. After all it's still only August and I am sure that more trends will pop up. TTFN :)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Strike
Yesterday I went to one of the most frustrating strikes I have ever been to in my strike history! As usual a good amount of people showed up. Some were working hard and the rest hardly working! My sisters, three of our girlfriends from the cast and one of the guys did most of the work. It wasn't too bad until we started putting in the pit.
At the theater we were renting part of the stage can be lifted off to make an actual pit. The pieces are very large and very heavy. They usually try and get some of the fathers there to help them put the pieces back in. We didn't have any there so we did it. By we I mean who I listed above plus our stage manager, conductor, director and tech head. That's it really... most of the time it was just us. The rest of the people sat in the hallway were the pieces were lined up and talked. We had to take the pieces lift them up onto a dolly that was placed in the center of the piece and roll it down the hall and onto the stage were we lifted it to roll the dolly out from underneath and gave it to our stage manager and director who lowered them into place. The others would sometimes help put the pieces on the dolly then they sat back down and basically left the really hard work to us.
One time we didn't get the dolly in the center and it was almost on one of our girl friend's foot. We were yelling down the hallway "Help! Help us! It's almost on Susie Q's foot! Help!" Finally after a good three minutes of yelling "Help" one of the guys finally noticed us and ran down to help.
When our producer got there she thanked us (those of us who were actually working) and then went out into the hallway. She asked them all what they were doing and they said "Oh we're talking, we're just taking a break." She came back in and asked my mother how long the break had been going, raised her eyebrows at my mother and that was it. She could never say anything bad about anyone. BTW: To take a break you had to have been doing something to take a break from!
I would like to tell all of you that you should never go to a strike if you're not going to do anything. Seriously if you think that you might end up doing more socializing than working than don't go. You'll only make yourself look bad and who wants that?
At the theater we were renting part of the stage can be lifted off to make an actual pit. The pieces are very large and very heavy. They usually try and get some of the fathers there to help them put the pieces back in. We didn't have any there so we did it. By we I mean who I listed above plus our stage manager, conductor, director and tech head. That's it really... most of the time it was just us. The rest of the people sat in the hallway were the pieces were lined up and talked. We had to take the pieces lift them up onto a dolly that was placed in the center of the piece and roll it down the hall and onto the stage were we lifted it to roll the dolly out from underneath and gave it to our stage manager and director who lowered them into place. The others would sometimes help put the pieces on the dolly then they sat back down and basically left the really hard work to us.
One time we didn't get the dolly in the center and it was almost on one of our girl friend's foot. We were yelling down the hallway "Help! Help us! It's almost on Susie Q's foot! Help!" Finally after a good three minutes of yelling "Help" one of the guys finally noticed us and ran down to help.
When our producer got there she thanked us (those of us who were actually working) and then went out into the hallway. She asked them all what they were doing and they said "Oh we're talking, we're just taking a break." She came back in and asked my mother how long the break had been going, raised her eyebrows at my mother and that was it. She could never say anything bad about anyone. BTW: To take a break you had to have been doing something to take a break from!
I would like to tell all of you that you should never go to a strike if you're not going to do anything. Seriously if you think that you might end up doing more socializing than working than don't go. You'll only make yourself look bad and who wants that?
Monday, July 26, 2010
A few not so quick comments
As awesome as our shows were I have some behavior I did not like, as always. Please don't think that I hate my theater group and that they are a bunch of spoiled brats and divas. It's just easy to let out your anger to readers because, hopefully, they don't know the people in your tirade.
Any who, as I may have mentioned before my Mom, Wonder Woman, was working very hard on costumes for the show and she has been doing a lot of sewing and repair on costumes. She has been working so hard and we have not had one costume problem on stage. I couldn't believe how rude people were to her. One of the guy's pants were split right down the middle one night so he duck taped them together. He came to my mother the next day asking her to fix them 5 minutes before the cast picture! Are you kidding me?!
Another girl brought in a dress of her grandmother's which she insisted on wearing. Our producer, who was also a big part of costumes, asked her if she would mind wearing something else because the dress was very pretty but it made her look like an adult rather than a teen. She insisted on the dress. Then when the dress began to rip she can to my mother for repairs constantly . On the last day of the show she looked around the dressing room and and frantically demanded "Wonder Woman (she didn't call her that but that's what I call m amam in my posts) where's my dress?" Are you kidding me chick? With out Wonder Woman you would be going out on that stage with your dress falling to pieces! If one more person had come to my mother and been rude to her I swear to almighty God that I would have lost it. All I heard was "Wonder Woman did you fix this yet?" "Wonder Woman is that done yet?" "Could you do this?" "Could you pin that?" Do you know how many "Thank you's" I heard? NOT ENOUGH!
There were two guys in the show (twins actually) who, to be honest, were in the show because we need men. They are not very talented and I would not recommend acting or singing as a career path for either of them. They thought that they were just fabulous. They were the cherry on top of this musical sundae. They were 1) rude to Wonder Woman 2) Bowed more than once which was just stupid and our director said not to. They played many roles in the show and they bowed once for being one specific part and they again for the guys bow. Finally 3) just plain conceited. I don't know what their problem was but they just thought that show would just have to stop if they weren't there. They showed up late for scenes, pushed people aside backstage and were rude.
I feel better now.
Thank you for listening to my tirade. I hope that I didn't bore you and if I did I wouldn't blame you if you stopped reading. But sometimes there are things that you can't let go of until you say them out loud.
Any who, as I may have mentioned before my Mom, Wonder Woman, was working very hard on costumes for the show and she has been doing a lot of sewing and repair on costumes. She has been working so hard and we have not had one costume problem on stage. I couldn't believe how rude people were to her. One of the guy's pants were split right down the middle one night so he duck taped them together. He came to my mother the next day asking her to fix them 5 minutes before the cast picture! Are you kidding me?!
Another girl brought in a dress of her grandmother's which she insisted on wearing. Our producer, who was also a big part of costumes, asked her if she would mind wearing something else because the dress was very pretty but it made her look like an adult rather than a teen. She insisted on the dress. Then when the dress began to rip she can to my mother for repairs constantly . On the last day of the show she looked around the dressing room and and frantically demanded "Wonder Woman (she didn't call her that but that's what I call m amam in my posts) where's my dress?" Are you kidding me chick? With out Wonder Woman you would be going out on that stage with your dress falling to pieces! If one more person had come to my mother and been rude to her I swear to almighty God that I would have lost it. All I heard was "Wonder Woman did you fix this yet?" "Wonder Woman is that done yet?" "Could you do this?" "Could you pin that?" Do you know how many "Thank you's" I heard? NOT ENOUGH!
There were two guys in the show (twins actually) who, to be honest, were in the show because we need men. They are not very talented and I would not recommend acting or singing as a career path for either of them. They thought that they were just fabulous. They were the cherry on top of this musical sundae. They were 1) rude to Wonder Woman 2) Bowed more than once which was just stupid and our director said not to. They played many roles in the show and they bowed once for being one specific part and they again for the guys bow. Finally 3) just plain conceited. I don't know what their problem was but they just thought that show would just have to stop if they weren't there. They showed up late for scenes, pushed people aside backstage and were rude.
I feel better now.
Thank you for listening to my tirade. I hope that I didn't bore you and if I did I wouldn't blame you if you stopped reading. But sometimes there are things that you can't let go of until you say them out loud.
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