Theater Logic

[BostonTigger]

For anyone who's worked in theater at somepoint in their lives, or for those who just happen to know some of the language, you'll get a kick out of this. I found this on a community theater's web site Falmouth Theater Guild and thought it was too funny to not pass along. Unfortunately I didn't see who wrote it so I can't give credit...if anyone knows, please let me know. Well, here it is:

Theater Logic:
In is down, down is front,
out is up, up is back,
off is out, on is in,
and of course -
right is left, and left is right.
A drop shouldn't and a
block and fall does neither.
A prop doesn't and
a cove has no water.
Tripping is O.K.
A running crew rarely gets anywhere.
A purchase line will buy you nothing.
A trap will not catch anything.
a gridion has nothing to do with football.
A stike is work (in fact a lot of work).
And a green room, thank God, usually isn't.
Now that you are fully versed in theatrical terms,
Break a leg...
but not really!

 

[mssocks]

Thanks! I did enjoy it and will pass along to our cast and crew!

 

[BostonTigger]

Thanks! I did enjoy it and will pass along to our cast and crew!

Glad you enjoyed. What show are you working on and who's it with? Are you directing, acting or dancing? I'm currently working on "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" with the Barnstable Comedy Club on Cape Cod. I'm playing J. Pierrepont Finch.

 

[crcormier]

I've seen that before, and it's very funny and very true.

 

[goofy4tink]

Very apropos...I can see some out there, sitting and scratching their heads. I did work with one girl, who has actually directed in the past, who swore up and down that left was in fact left...that it is from the 'director's perspective'!!! It made blocking somewhat interesting to say the least. She was always giving the 'correct' stage direction under her breath!!!! Nothing we said to her made the slightest difference.
BTW....love "How to Succeed....". Have very fond memories of my parents in it many year ago. When do you guys go up?? I have family in Osterville and we're always looking for stuff to do when we visit.

 

[nativetxn]

I'm emailing this to my son. He is teaching introduction to theatre and technical theatre at Troy University in Alabama, right now. I think he'll get a kick out of this

 

[Sparx]

Thats awesome, thanks for posting. I'll pass it along to my drama class.

 

[Geoff_M]

Having spent many an evening working the Fly Rail in a theater, I can appreciate that!

I'd add:
A call is silent
dry tech sometimes isn't
A pit isn't a bad place
People don't live in the house
During a show a director doesn't



And, my all-time favorite theater saying: "Props are like private parts, if it isn't yours KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF IT!"

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

I am a theatre major, and I definitely enjoyed this. I have just accepted the fact that everything is backwards from how it should be or designed to confuse. (Using the left shutter to block the right side of a light stage left, but on your right. )

 

[BostonTigger]

Very apropos...I can see some out there, sitting and scratching their heads. I did work with one girl, who has actually directed in the past, who swore up and down that left was in fact left...that it is from the 'director's perspective'!!! It made blocking somewhat interesting to say the least. She was always giving the 'correct' stage direction under her breath!!!! Nothing we said to her made the slightest difference.
BTW....love "How to Succeed....". Have very fond memories of my parents in it many year ago. When do you guys go up?? I have family in Osterville and we're always looking for stuff to do when we visit.

Isn't "How to Succeed..." just great? I love the music to that show. I'll PM you as well, but we go up Nov. 3rd and run through the 20th. It's the Barnstable Comedy Club in the Villiage Hall on 6A...right next to the court house. Look for me....I'll be the main lead stoking his ego on stage.

 

[mssocks]

And, my all-time favorite theater saying: "Props are like private parts, if it isn't yours KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF IT!"

I wish I had realized earlier that people had replied to this! I was props mistress ( or prop nazi, depending on who you ask ) during Anything Goes. I had those sailors (teens) trained! I caught one of them telling a kid in the show - "Is that yours?? THEN DON'T TOUCH IT!!"

This year we are just cranking up. We had to go with Footloose - they wouldn't let us use the high school version of Les Mis even though we support a charity. Actually I'm starting to look forward to it. I've been listening to the CD. I am only Betty Blast but will make lots of fun for myself on stage.

Last year we did Titanic and I had a super role - Ida Straus. People cried and women went shopping at Macy's! ( inside joke - the Straus' owned Macy's )If I ever get the pics up on our site, I'll post a link. Our group has ages 4 - whatever. My Dad participated into his late 70's then had to stop.

 

[PrincessDeb]

Mssocks, What group are you with? I'm with the Alpha/Omega Players from Berks County. We are rehearsing "A Christmas Carol" right now-the one with music by Alan Menken. There are parts of the score that remind me of "Beauty and the Beast" . I am playing "The Blind Old Hag"- I become the Ghost of Christmas Future. I enjoyed this poem and will pass it to my group as well!

Deb

 

[mssocks]

It's called the Laymen Playmen Inc. We started out as a little way to teach the church teens about theater by doing Our Town ( with all ages ). The audience was very receptive and wanted a show every year! So now I think this is #18 and we donate the profits ( less next years set up ) to the local pastors fund. They help anyone in need in the community. It's been a while since I was at a board meeting, but I think we have donated over $20k by now. We draw mostly from the areas churches but anyone is welcome to participate. Our director has a degree in directing from Allentown College and some impressive creditials that I can't recall at the moment. Our shows really pack them in on the second weekend. Everyone now knows that the actors let loose then and start adding stuff on their own!

Our newer website was hacked so hasn't been updated since last year but you can check out some photos. I will add the Titanic photos to our old site this week sometime. Have to do it at work as I have dial up at home!

newer site - www.laymenplaymen.org
original site - www.geocities.com/laymenplaymen

I would love to do A Christmas Carol, but scheduling demands we have our show in February. I must say rehearsals make the winter go by pretty fast! Except when the Brigadoon piper slips on the icy parking lot, or someone has to shovel a path across the yard for an outside entrance, or the cast shows up during a blizzard demanding to know "why aren't we having the show? we can do it without the audience, right?" --------- gosh, isn't theater WONDERFUL??!!

 

[mssocks]

We seem to have quite a lot of theater people on the boards. Maybe we should start a thread listing our shows, dates and roles etc in the first post. Just keep updating it!

 

[artvandelay]

A pit isn't a bad place

Sure it is. That's where the musicians are!

Funny musician story. At a big touring house, a musician was warming up in the pit. He saw the House Electrician and asked if he could have more light in the pit. The electrician said, "No way. If you were any good, you'd be playing on the stage, not under it!"

I'm sorry, but I think musicians are on the bottom of the theatre food chain.

 

[Valentine]

Wow..lots of theatre folks here! I have just started rehearsals for Seussical.. i am the choreographer and Stage Manager as well!

I just finished a production of Smokey Joe's Cafe.. in which I played BJ... I work both sides of the stage.. on and off...

As for dream roles.. SOMEDAY I will play.. Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.. and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd...

Any other takers?

Kathy

 

[SamRoc]

My daughters dream roles are Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Fantine in Les Miz. Where are you doing Suessical? We live in Bklyn too.

 

[BostonTigger]

We seem to have quite a lot of theater people on the boards. Maybe we should start a thread listing our shows, dates and roles etc in the first post. Just keep updating it!

That's a good idea...I'll start one right now. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Valentine]

My daughters dream roles are Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Fantine in Les Miz. Where are you doing Suessical? We live in Bklyn too.

Sorry.. just saw this tonight!! We are doing Seussical at Bishop Kearney High School.. In November... the 2nd 2 weekends!

Kathy