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What do you do about esential other people in a theatre when rehearsing a show?

Let's say I've practised lots at home and think I have a good framework for a stage show and all the methods well worked out and scripted (I don't, by the way - but that's the way I'm heading).

Now, I couldn't just book a venue, turn up and perform without rehearsal; but for proper rehearsal I would expect to have:

1 -A Director - checking angles, guiding movement etc.

2 -A 'participant' - to play the part of whatever volunteers might be necessary when the show goes live.

3 -Lighting Person -

4 -& Sound Person - both of whom might see the show from an angle the audience would never have access to.

5 -Stage Manager -

6 -& Props/Set changers - who would see the show from the wings.

All of these people would see the show a number of times and would almost certainly work out the methods.

So, my question is - do you just get over that fact? Swear them to secrecy and hope they don't blab? Or do you try to mask the secrets from the crew?[/b]

hate to say this, but the real world just isnt like this.

The directors job isnt checking angles, and he or she should be involved right through the rehersals from day one.

you hardly ever have the luxury of soemone there to help you as a stand in audience member, as most dress rehersals, are walk throughs.

lighting guys... well, larger performance venues sometimes have in house crews. but you have to give them a lighting plot well in advance if you want anything other than "on".

sound... see lighting guy, since its normaly the same person, or a member of the same team.

Stage manager. ( or god, best mate and drinking buddy)

Ive been lucky in the past, because my stage managaers have alswys been my best mates, and drinking buddies. but even then, you cant guarentee quality. you will need to give them all your lighting and sound plots. otherwise you get on, and off.

stage crew.( as you call them props and set changers.

well, thats you. Never trust a stage crew to set your props unless you have to. if they do it fo you double check them, once set.


and trust me. they wont blab. half the crew will be in the scene dock having a crafty smoke, or getting ready fo the next act.

you must remember that to us magic is magic, and to teh crew.. its just a technical thing, and if they are any good, they already know how most of the stuff is done.

stage magic, is usualy on a need to know basis. the things that they need to know, they NEED to know, in order for it to work. Floating, and vanishing items need the right lights, they need to know when to let the girl out of the base, so she can nip out font, they need to make sure that the door isnt locked, they need to know ... it goes on.

If your worried about this, just stick to close up.

daleshrimpton wrote:hate to say this, but the real world just isnt like this.

Sorry, I probably should have made clear that I'm not talking from a professional point of view. Yes, I can understand that going into an unknown theatre as a pro would be different, but I'm talking about a known venue, and all the people I mention would be there (and working for nothing).

The whole process of what you need/who you need/what they do varies a great deal with the type of show you're putting on, the kind of budget it's got, where you're going to do it and how long it's going to run. It takes an awful lot of work to get a show from the ideas stage to the Stage stage, as it were.

But your question is about the actual people around once you get there. If they are part of your team (Director, Producer, Designer, Production Manager etc) then you should trust them enough to know that they're not going to tell anyone. As for the others (if a theatre provides it's own technicians for examples), if you really want you can probably get some non-disclosure agreements made up. However, you could just be nice to them and ask them not to talk about how things are done in front of prospective audience. I find the best way of getting people not to give anything away is by explaining the secret to them (if they are needed to help perform part of the effect), then they're a partner in the deception, not just a lighting tech who can see what's really inside that big spangly box...

proteus wrote:

daleshrimpton wrote:hate to say this, but the real world just isnt like this.

Sorry, I probably should have made clear that I'm not talking from a professional point of view. Yes, I can understand that going into an unknown theatre as a pro would be different, but I'm talking about a known venue, and all the people I mention would be there (and working for nothing).

me too. And, im basing the thoughts on nigh on 30 years of involvement in theatres and venues of the type you describe. And not just on stage, but in lighting boxes, sound booths, follow spots, stage managers corner, prop maker scenery shiffter, writer, director, and front of house. ( make up too!) Ive done it all, and know every potential pitfall there is. Which is handy, because you can then stop them from happening.

If im on a bill, with several other acts, its a dead cert that my mike will always work, because I find out what the sound man drinks, or smokes, and provide him with his favorite tipple.

the best tip you will ever get BAR NONE is... buy the crew a pint.