Hello Internet! I am, what you might say, a Theatrical Artist. I live and work mostly in LA (I tour when I get those jobs, and work where I can). And most of that work is in Theater, and in Film. I am also an educator, teaching Theatre classes ranging from StageCraft to Video/Projection Design to Directing.
This channel is all about the Educational Experience and learning what goes on Backstage - what goes into the part of a show that the audience doesn't get to see.
Sometimes I film the adventures I have and sometimes I show you how to do things and sometimes I explain what those jobs are and why so many people are listed in your programs and the credits. All with a hint of love and sarcasm, and a little self-deprecation.
Check me out! Like and Subscribe and Let's Talk Backstage!
so i’m the understudy for Maria and Leisl (the two female leads) in the Sound of Music right now, and i was wondering if it’s normal to be assigned to two understudies? also i was only assigned a small part as one of the character nuns, so i’m only in the beginning and end of the show, yet i have to do three times as much work as everyone else. this is high school age btw and i’m kinda scared to do this much especially since i’m in another show right now too. mainly, i’m just disappointed i didnt get a larger role considering how much work i have to do.
First I want to just re-iterate what many Theatre teachers say that there are no small parts! You can take any part and make it your own and memorable - in my acting career both in school and out I mostly had smaller parts, and I was often talked about the most after.. On to the understudying - it is fairly common for one person to understudy multiple roles. Less common in High School, but any Broadway, Touring or major regional production usually has swings, covers, standbys and understudies (similar but not fully the same) and one person will cover multiple roles. It is a lot of work, and often those performers will get a guaranteed performance - I've worked on multiple shows where we had one paid performance that would be understudies - so they have a chance for their friends and family to come see them. That isn't always the case, but finding out if you can actually go on is a big help. If not, I have also worked in places where understudies have gone on with scripts - they still give great performances, but when you're not guaranteed a performance it is hard to ask someone to learn EVERYTHING. My biggest piece of advice is that YOU get to decide. Just because you are offered something or asked to do something, does not mean you are obligated to do it. If you feel like you are not getting anything out of the situation, or that you are to overwhelmed you can absolutely say no. Your health and well being are the most important thing. Lastly - this industry is rife with disappointment. But something to think about - many of my friends who were leads in HS no longer do theater - while I had the reverse and made a career out of it. Just remember, there are always more shows, and more chances to perform. Some of my favorite roles and most cherished productions were post high school.
Thank you so much for your reply!! There is only one performance so I doubt I’ll get to understudy, but I agree that it’s definitely good experience for the future!
Thank you! I've fallen into the stage manager position for our current show, as our group finally has a stage to work on. Real lights! Real sound! Real curtains! It's very exciting, and I'm terrified. XD
Well done. I need these kinds of video for a "drafting club program I am going to develop for grade school. I found out that over 30% of high school students don't known how to use a ruler now.
This is hands down " THE " best video on the subject ! This term is use in so many cases that it is hard to have a solid foundation around it and this make absolute sense with the Robert Mckee use of the term. I would like to suggest to make another video with a summary of this one but a pratical one with the script from the Avengers with maybe the thor / captain america vs thanos scene so we can see action beats and maybe from the same script another scene with more dialogue so we can see dialogue beat that would be 🔥🔥🔥
I'm not in the theatre scene, and always wondered how long it takes to learn a role from scratch. "A week" is at the extreme short end of what I'd have thought reasonable, so "a couple of days" and "a couple of hours" completely blew me away. Is this an emergency situation that is only applicable to someone whos' seen the role a bunch of times, like already acting a different role in the same play, or being part of the crew, etc.? Let's say you've never seen a play and somehow get assigned a role... starting from a completely blank slate, how long does it take normally, and how long in a breakneck emergency type situation?
I KNOW. I'm rehearsing as an understudy for a character, and I got told I was going to be an understudy only a couple days after the main actors were told they were going to be in it (It's a school performance, and the understudies are chosen at the same time as the main actors to make sure they're ready if they need to be called in) and the show is in a few months. I can't imagine being told HOURS beforehand with little if any rehearsal time
It honestly depends on the performer, the type of production and a lot of other factors - there are stories of people who have learned roles in a day, while the quickest I've had to do it was a week. If you are great at memorization or remembering choreo, etc - or even if you've done the show before, you might be able to do it faster than someone who is not as quick at those things.
So cool. Thank you! I’ve been working as a stage hand but haven’t taken any classes yet so this is a great introduction that they don’t usually have time for at work. Very interesting.
Thanks so much for making these videos! I teach at a community college and it is difficult to show students what I am talking about without actually taking them to the stage and doing it. You make it fun and relatable! I appreciate what you do!
While I understand the - sections - but I think it’s better to keep actors, costumes, props, set pieces, sound and music - on the opposite page (in a two page layout) WITH the script ie dialogue… that way you have everything sync’d with the words to facilitate queuing… As for blocking, I like using an Insta360 to record blocking as the rehearsals progress and as blocking changes… with the understanding that the video will only be used for the production stage “book” and will not appear in any other venue (unless there full agreement with the actors and any compensation… and IF EQUITY doesn’t like that… I get non-Equity talent for the production!)
i found thus very helpful - i’m from the uk and one of my a levels is theatre and for one of our exams we each have to create our own vision for the play the crucible by arthur miller. i’ve got my basic vision but these questions helped me to develop my thought process further so i do thank you for this video :)
I've been shown this technique and tried to master before but to no avail. That's until now after watching your fantastic break down. Thank you very much
Love it! Yes, I always ask myself…”why this show?” “Why should we present this show now?” I love to consider the impact, discussion, healing or change a play can make within my community as well. You got my Director’s brain going! I’m such a Theatre generalist, but I love directing because of the vision aspect and helping to retell or create a new world and invite others in. Lol.
Hahaha that is so American 😅 In Germany you would get your ass kicked for even trying to sue for something like this 🤣 But you do have the right to do so but you would not win the case 😂 That is just darn outrageous...
I also mention to my acting students that where there are beat changes, is where they might forget their line. The change of subject breaks the thought process. I have them create a mental transition between the change of subject. Example: Talking to a friend about her family. I change the subject to ask about her job. Mental transition: she mentioned her mother which reminded me that my mom wanted to know if she still worked at the same insurance agency.
Hi Nicholas. I'm a teacher in Cincinnati at an arts school. I teach Scenic Design and Technology to 7-12 graders.. This is my 27th year at the school. I have even written a stage hand book myself for my classes because I struggled finding good content to share with my high school students. Much was written for a professional in theater. With our school going remote over the last few years off and on your videos have been such a great help to quickly share a lot of great information! So much of what you cover is spot on to what I teach every single day. Theses have to be my favorite videos. I just want to take a moment and thank you for sharing these.
