Director's advice/help

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Director's advice/help

Posted: 10/18/09 at 5:27pm

I am about to start directing a community production of Guys and Dolls and do not have the scripts for the first few rehearsals. I have a few drama/character building games to use, but was wondering if anyone had any ideas they would care to share. I want to make them useful rehearsals.
I do have a copy of the script, so can photcopy sections, if necessary.

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 10/18/09 at 5:50pm

Well, maybe you can be dramaturg and bring in info from the period of piece. You can use the time to get the cast into the the "flavor" of the show and the different sets of people mobsters/dolls/churchgoers etc...

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 10/18/09 at 6:06pm

Hit the photocopier. Starting rehearsals without actors having scripts is insane. The first readthrough with the cast is an important bonding moment. It will get the cast off to a bad start if you don't do it.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 10/18/09 at 6:14pm

I'm sure you have a recording. Start of learning a dance number if you don't have the scripts yet. There's too much to do when mounting a musical! I like to start with an opening number that has most if not all of the cast in it, and that is possible with Guys and Dolls (Runyonland). Love that show, have fun!

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 10/18/09 at 6:41pm

And if you're licensing the Musical from MTI, you have a time constraint. Earliest rehearsals should emphasize script memorization and teaching/learning of music. Characterization comes after you've learned your material in these situations, in my opinion.

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 10/18/09 at 6:57pm

How many are a few rehearsals? How experienced is the cast? How young is the cast?
Spending a little time learning about the time period of the show is a good idea. In my opinion, characterization goes along with learning the show. Refining characterization comes after learning the show.

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 10/18/09 at 7:51pm

Just have them watch the movie a few times. Then just have them all sing along to the soundtrack.

PEACE.

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 11/13/09 at 3:10pm

Can I ask you where you found scripts and rights to Guys and Dolls? I am a high school drama teacher and have been searching feverishly for the scripts. It would be very helpful!!!! Thank you so much.

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 11/13/09 at 4:55pm

Analyze the songs paying special attention to the punctuation and to the times.

Find the jokes within them too.

"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable." --Carrie Fisher

#10

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 11/13/09 at 5:33pm

MTI (Musical Theatre International) holds the rights, I believe.

#11

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 11/13/09 at 8:10pm

Yup: MTI

http://mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000040

They are always a good place to start, they hold a tremendous amt of shows.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

#12

re: Director's advice/help

Posted: 11/13/09 at 9:39pm

Get a copy of the collected stories of Damon Runyan and have the cast read aloud to get a feel for the language and world.

"Love Life. Live." Michael Bennett

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