101 TIPS FOR
SUCCESS IN THE MEMORIAL THEATRE DEPARTMENT
1.
Attendance at department
meetings is required for running for office, getting invited to be a member of ITS, and voting input—strive for 100
percent.
2.
Our organization is registered
in the International Thespian Society as Troupe 2980.
3.
Act well your part; there
all the honour lies.
4.
Our motto for the year
is: “Leave it Better than we Found it!”.
5.
When you hear an officer
project the word “MEMORIAL”, you reply “THEATRE” and get quiet.
6.
The callboard is located
in the backstage hallway, check it twice daily.
7.
Audition and casting
motto: “There are no small parts, only small actors” and there is no show without tech...so do not insult those
involved in tech.
8.
Director’s motto:
“Remember, you are auditioning for me every minute.”
9.
Love thy fellow thespian
as you would love thyself; no backstabbing allowed.
10.
Contact the board members
on duty about questions, comments, concerns and suggestions. Each officer has
a cubby in the black box if anyone needs to drop off a note or message that pertains to theatre.
11.
Mrs. Nicole Morgan is
the director of the department. She and the administration are the final authority
regarding decisions about the program.
12.
Colleen is the child
and does not read Mrs. Morgan’s mind. See Mrs. Morgan for her opinion or
decision.
13.
The website address is
www.mhstheatre.com. You need to memorize this now!
14.
You should carry a copy
of the calendar with you at all times.
15.
Your family should have
a copy of the calendar or access to the website at all times.
16.
The calendar is subject
to change. We try and stay with the schedule, but sometimes adjustments are necessary.
17. Additional information is given out in classes.
Your need to take it home and make sure you and your family read it.
18. Absences are sometimes
necessary and you are required to call in and state that you cannot be a rehearsal by 10 a.m..
19.
Grades count and rehearsal
and production are not an excuse.
20.
We follow no pass, no
“PLAY” so stay focused in each class and do all of your assignments, it is sad to lose credit on gimme grades
from teachers so do your job to the best of your ability.
21.
We cannot leave doors
unlocked so we can come and go, please do not prop doors open for friends and family.
They need to sign in at the office or make plans to have a door opened upon their arrival if cleared through Mrs. Morgan
and the administration.
22.
While at rehearsal and
in class, focus must be on the production and our course work, not your cell phone.
Mrs. Morgan follows school policy and will take up phones.
23.
The keys are color-coded…learn
fast and don’t ask twice and return them immediately to the director/SM from which you received them or back on the
rack where they belong.
24.
It is not wise to leave
campus and return in time for a 3:10 p.m. meeting or rehearsal. In fact, it is almost impossible.
25.
It is not wise to leave
campus and return in time for a 3:30 rehearsal or tech duty. In
fact, it is also impossible since you are expected to be 15 minutes early (which is ontime in theatre language).
26.
Presidents are Dino and
Avery.
27.
Vice-Presidents Colleen
and Erika are also around to help out.
28.
Treasurer David makes
sure we raise money to go where we want to go!
29.
Secretaries Nicole and
Kat keep the notes and communicate with others.
30.
Parliamentarian Brett
should not have to yell to gain your attention. You need to listen to him.
31.
Other members of the
board are here to help you. Make sure you know them and feel free to talk with
them about the department and shows. We all want to make it better.
32.
Auditions are open to
every Memorial High School
student of every grade level unless they are a classroom production.
33.
Musicals are produced
every year – “Grease” will never be an option, so please don’t ask.
34.
There are not enough
roles to give every deserving, talented student a part—be grateful you got one!
35.
This department is our
second home. Let’s keep it clean.
36.
No food or drink allowed
unless provided except for bottled water with a lid/cap.
37.
The Black Box is considered
a theatrical space, not a walkway, hangout, gymnasium or storage area.
38.
It is generally dangerous
to our global future to date within the theatre department.
39.
If you are “on-time”
you are already 15 minutes late.
40.
We accept those who take
pride in the department – give suggestions openly and appropriately.
41.
Tech is the week before
a show when all backstage workings are tested.
42.
Theatre Technicians –
otherwise known as techies – are specialists, not clean up people.
43.
Ushers give the viewing
public their first impression of our productions – dress and behave professionally.
44.
Areas of the department
are NOT second cafeterias-spend your lunch period in the designated eating areas provided to you during lunchtime.
45.
Costumes WILL BE hung
and handled with tender loving care, or you will be…without the tender loving care.
46.
A clean dressing room
is a happy dressing room!
47.
Avoid eating in costume. It will CO$T you!
48.
Touching props that are
not assigned to you is rude, unprofessional, dangerous, and WILL NOT be tolerated.
49.
Keep props in their assigned
area – walking off with them leads to misplacement.
50.
The Scene Shop is a working
area and not a hang out or hideout. No horseplay in that area.
51.
Tools are used in construction. Use them correctly or you cannot use them at all.
52.
Paint is a creative tool,
not a weapon or disguise.
53.
The curtains located
in all of our spaces are damaged by the oils in human skin – don’t touch the Velour front.
54.
All rolling chairs travel
in the fine arts department at .1 mph – no need for further testing.
55.
The catwalk is neither
for cats, nor walking. It is also off limits unless instructed to visit.
56.
Jumping off the front
of the stage will lead to injury. Please refrain from jumping.
57.
Any sound backstage (footsteps,
whispering, crashing into things, cell phones, etc.) can be heard in the house and are not permissable.
58.
Vocal projection (onstage)
is important to communication – you are never too loud (onstage).
59.
Only touch the stage
furniture when you are blocked to do so.
60.
Upperclassmen really
aren’t that scary, and they are more than willing to give rides home with parental consent. And remember, donations towards gas are always appreciated!
61.
After school, students
may park around the scene shop.
62.
If it is not yours, ask
permission to borrow, grab, read, move or touch – otherwise it is stealing.
63.
Drama people are quite
often sarcastic – DON’T TAKE EVERYTHING PERSONALLY! J
64.
Please excuse yourself
to the restroom for grooming purposes of all kinds and do not groom during class or rehearsal.
65.
You’re responsible
for making sure your hours and points are recorded accurately—check them regularly.
66.
Although you may be a
star—the set, theatres, shops or storage facilities do not want your autograph.
No unauthorized markings.
67.
If you have to be late
to rehearsal, keep your excuses until after – don’t waste more time.
68.
Hooting and hollering
audience members are not showing the production respect.
69.
It takes ALL members
of a production staff to make a show – respect each other.
70.
Working at Saturday Workday
benefits our department and all of the shows and is not limited to “techies”.
Come to our Saturday Workdays and be a part of something huge!
71.
If you are experiencing
a social problem, please take it to the source and crush the rumors (but not in rehearsal).
72.
If you are experiencing
a studying problem, meet up with our tutoring personnel.
73.
Scripts may only be checked
out using the proper procedures. Taking them is stealing and not returning them
makes Mrs. Morgan unhappy.
74.
When answering the telephone,
say, “Memorial Theatre, this is ___ (first name) how may I help you?” Ask
who is speaking and if it is not an urgent matter, please take a message.
75.
It is best to save new
ideas unrelated to the upcoming productions until after opening night.
76.
Rehearsals are not play
time (at least not unless the directors invent the game).
77.
Peeking out to see the
audience is called “breaking” and will result in the same.
78.
Flowers and congratulations
take place in the foyer after the performance.
79.
Always have change for
a $5.
80.
To dial out on a school
phone, dial “9...and then the number”, but only with permission.
81.
The lift is only used
by approved techies to reach lights/sets. It is not a torture device or toy!
82.
The “lamps”
or light bulbs used in stage lighting are damaged by human touch, and humans may be damaged by touching them.
83.
The mirrors located in
the Black Box Dressing Rooms are not to be used for personal cosmetology.
84.
If asked to test microphones,
use normal speech – no noises, blowing, tapping, or shouting is acceptable.
85.
Leave bad attitudes,
chips on shoulders, baggage, rumors, and disrespect at the door.
86.
The theatre department
is for acting, not for “drama”.
87.
Directors are always
hoping to be impressed by auditions – don’t be nervous, unless using it for the betterment of your audition.
88.
We are creative enough
to think of more appropriate words than four letter ones.
89.
The theatre office is
off-limits to you unless you have been asked or invited to enter. Please knock
and wait patiently until you are asked inside.
90.
There are many rules
and regulations when it comes to the dressing room. Please learn them.
91.
The fire curtain is not
a toy or prank and is extremely heavy and dangerous….beware, it may kill you.
92.
Theatre is full of doors
of opportunity; make sure to use the right one to get into the parking lot or drop-off zone.
93.
If you want respect…. Give respect.
94.
NO WHINING!
95.
U/S stands for understudy,
not United States.
96.
Theatre shirts and show
shirts are cool and don’t need alterations. They are always worn on meeting
days and special occasions.
97.
If you are cast in a
show, yet remain “car-less” for various reasons, make sure your parents know when and where to pick you up. Directors will make every effort to end rehearsal on the scheduled time. Please make sure your rides are on time as well.
98.
Headset conversation
should be limited to the topics pertaining ONLY to the show.
99.
Follow the chain of command
for a show. Start with the Stage Manager.
100.
If you have any questions
about this list or any other THEATRE concern, ask an officer before a director.
101.
If it is not fun being
a part of this program…mention it to an officer or Mrs. Morgan. Let us
work to find a solution that benefits everyone involved in the program.
