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 :)
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