Creatives Taking Notes During Previews

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 3/24/24 at 11:04pm

Now that preview season is in full swing, I was wondering what everyone’s opinions on creatives/production taking notes during the show and the etiquette regarding that. 

The past couple shows I’ve been to, I was seated behind members of the creative team who were taking notes using their phones or the light on their phones. While I understand notes need to be taken to improve the show, I can’t help but find it super distracting. Just wondering if anyone has any strong opinions or suggestions. 

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 3/24/24 at 11:14pm

This literally has to happen. I KNOW everyone's going to come in with "but I'm paying FULL PRICE" or the usual, but the show is being worked on and notes need to be taken and they need to be taken in real time- and they shouldn't have to be covert about it. Between sitting next to an assistant of Mantello's during The Humans with a full reading light on the entire time, or directly next to a costumer speaking full voiced to their assistant during a preview of Jagged Little Pill- it wasn't ideal, but as someone who has worked on that side of the industry, there isn't another option before freezing the show.

[Wick3]

Posted: 3/24/24 at 11:25pm

Normally creatives stand behind last row of orchestra or sit in the last 2 rows of orchestra (near the sound booth).  Obviously there are exceptions but if this bothers you then it may be best to avoid going during previews.

 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 3/24/24 at 11:29pm

I echo everything Falsettolands said, with one exception - it’s not full priced, as tickets are usually less expensive than post-opening. 
 

It’s a work in progress. If you don’t want to possibly see creatives in the audience taking notes, then avoid previews. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 12:59am

It is unavoidable for creatives to take notes during previews, but having them in front of or beside paying customers is absolutely avoidable. To not take care of this in advance is just bad producing. No excuse.

[Kitsune]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 1:53am

I saw an early preview of The Sound Within back in 2019. My mom and I happened to be seated next to David Cromer and his assistant director. They both introduced themselves, and explained what they were doing and told us in advance that we might hear them whispering or bringing out light to take notes.

I guess it depends on the show, but I didn't find it distracting. If nothing else, it was really cool to see that part of the creative process!

[aburnedhill]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 3:43am

Shared a row with James Lapine during one of two preview performances of Falsettos before it officially opened in LA later that week. It was thrilling once I realized who the man passing by me to use the restroom was. He was gracious and had conversation with anyone who wanted it on the way out. Got to express some gratitude for Passion and went on my gay little way. I only glanced over once or twice and it looked like notes were being taken on a large legal pad in the dark.

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 7:41am

As others have said, it is ESSENTIAL that the creatives are doing this during previews. This is not only when they add/cut material, but also assess its integration into the flow of the show, as well as any technical concerns (which helps keeps the performers safe). Most shows have a week or two of tech before going into previews and so previews help function as a means to catch and fix things missed during tech or rehearsal.

I know many shows usually block off a back row in a section to accommodate creatives for this purpose - which is which the last two rows of the right orchestra are never available in previews when Second Stage opens a new show at the Hayes 

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 7:51am

At one of the first previews of Mormon, I stood directly next to Matt Stone and Casey Nicholaw. I could tell they were talking to each other the entire show, however they were doing it quietly enough that even being literally 6 inches away from them, I don't think I ever heard a single word. My point being, it's clearly possible to take notes during previews without creating a distraction to those around you. I think some creatives just need to learn how to do that.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 7:53am

What happened to the good ole days with a pencil and notebook?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 8:03am

Of course creatives need to watch the show and takes notes during previews but sit in the last row far left or right of the orchestra. Don’t sit orchestra center row M. Use some discretion and common sense. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 8:33am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "I echo everything Falsettolands said, with one exception - it’s not full priced, as tickets are usually less expensive than post-opening."

 

What??? This just isn't so.  Hasn't been in over a decade. They might end up raising prices after opening, but ticket prices are almost always the same when first released.

 

 

 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 11:44am

When I went to Water for Elephants, we saw some people who we assumed were creatives in one of the boxes, they had a binder propped on a music stand with one of those reading lights that the orchestra uses, though I think for most of the show they had the light off or turned super low, and I think they made sure to turn it off any time there was a complete blackout.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 12:38pm

WldKingdomHM said: "What happened to the good ole days with a pencil and notebook?"

Maybe they do, but they also want to make sure what they write is legible later 

[jagman106]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 12:56pm

WldKingdomHM said: "What happened to the good ole days with a pencil and notebook?"

About 20 years ago I saw Dracula directed by Des McAnuff. McAnuff sat two seats away from me, center orchestra on the aisle. He used a pencil and legal pad, but he also had a small flashlight that he used to see what he was writing. The note-taking wasn't a problem, but the light from the flashlight often shone in different directions, and that was super distracting (but more entertaining than the show itself, lol). 

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 1:31pm

jagman106 said: "WldKingdomHM said: "What happened to the good ole days with a pencil and notebook?"

About 20 years ago I saw Dracula directed by Des McAnuff. McAnuff sat two seats away from me, center orchestra on the aisle. He used a pencil and legal pad, but he also had a small flashlight that he used to see what he was writing. The note-taking wasn't a problem, but the light from the flashlight often shone in different directions, and that was super distracting (but more entertaining than the show itself, lol)."

He did that at TOMMY the other night too, but the light wasn’t too distracting 

[jagman106]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 11:57pm

quizking101 said: "jagman106 said: "WldKingdomHM said: "What happened to the good ole days with a pencil and notebook?"

About 20 years ago I saw Dracula directed by Des McAnuff. McAnuff sat two seats away from me, center orchestra on the aisle. He used a pencil and legal pad, but he also had a small flashlight that he used to see what he was writing. The note-taking wasn't a problem, but the light from the flashlight often shone in different directions, and that was super distracting (but more entertaining than the show itself, lol)."

He did that at TOMMY the other night too, but the light wasn’t too distracting"

I just got home from seeing Tommy tonight, and alas, no Des - at least not that I noticed!

[BJR]

Posted: 3/26/24 at 8:37am

Well critics have been at TOMMY. So since it's is frozen, so no reason for Creatives to be there noting this late.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 3/26/24 at 9:08am

I was seated behind David West Read, who was taking notes during an early performance of &Juliet in Toronto. Also, I was at Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Scarlett Johansson when I saw 2 people standing against the wall where the balcony splits, and realized Rob Ashford was standing there taking in the show. I was one of the lucky few who saw the show with Ghost Skipper! 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/26/24 at 9:48am

Creatives try to be as out of the way of the audience as possible during previews, but they have to experience the show from where the audience sits. It’s unavoidable. And they often move around to different areas of the audience to see how it looks from multiple angles. I was once relocated to a prime house seat so a set designer and their assistant could take my seat in the rear mezzanine.

[Hope Lombardo]

Posted: 3/26/24 at 11:07am

I'm the odd bird who actually attends previews because I *want* to see the inner workings like this...

[jagman106]

Posted: 3/26/24 at 5:21pm

BJR said: "Well critics have been at TOMMY. So since it's is frozen, so no reason for Creatives to be there noting this late."

i guess a comment I made jokingly failed miserably.