The following I posted on Facebook with one finger phone typing as I was on the train back from a very enjoyable visit to a 3rd year production. I am adding it as a Blog so it is captured for ever….
It’s that time when many of us get asked to graduation shows being done by drama school and conservatoire final years. I was at one this weekend and it was a really good company of actors, and the person who had invited me showed their powerful stage presence really well.
BUT I have three never ending reflections which I invite any student to take back into their school if any of this resonates (and here I am not talking about the all singing all dancing Graduate Showcases)
a) Give me a Programme. I can’t write notes on a QR code in the dark. Give me a list of the cast, ideally with pics of them in character + headshots. Give me space on the paper to jot notes. [Last week I have no idea the names of any of the cast]
b) Remember this is a work visit for producers, agents, mentors, and professionals. It is not just a great night out for the 2nd years and their fellow graduates. Now it is wonderful having the cheering and enthusiasm of those who know and love their fellow actors, but if we are all scrummed into a very very dark bar before and at the interval, we have no room to breathe. And in this case the venue shut the bar before the end, so we couldn’t stay there and meet the cast/creatives, and instead had to head to a nearby bar with a brilliant overpowering band. Again not helpful to have conversations.
c) And Dear Cast/Creatives – build a list of people and invite them. If you are in a school out of London, don’t worry still make invitations. I was being told no professional comes to the shows and that the Marketing Department does all that. NO. each student, or even better the company of actors and technical/creative students working together need to get the invitations out there and not rely on any school staff who have their own priorities.
I had a great visit and I’ve already been invited to another show in which my soon to be graduate colleague is playing. I will try and get there. Even if I don’t make it, the invitation is a reminder to check the new array of creatives coming through the school.
Dear actors – don’t wait for others to do stuff for you. Your future is in your hands. [And if you are a 1st or 2nd year watch the process and put yourself in the shoes of an agent/producer, and see how you can support your school to do even better].
I cheer all of those in rehearsal or preparation for graduate shows, and encourage all teachers and freelance directors just to think whether the system is the best it can be for useful guests.
Comments and shares most welcome