Is it bad.....

[bschneid76]

Is it bad.....#0

Posted: 8/24/06 at 5:09pm

Is it bad to take theatre work too seriously? I sometimes feel that I get to into my work in theatre and get angry with those who seem to be doing theatre for just a "good time" And there isn't anything wrong with having a good time in theatre, but there is some professionism that should go if you intend on doing anything with theatre for the rest of your life in the career world. I don't know, what are some of the opinions out there. Am I wrong to get irritated when people (I am referring to College Theatre Majors at my School) don't take it seriously and laugh it off? Or is it a normal feeling? Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Thanks!

"Love the Art in Yourself. Not Yourself in the Art." -- Stanislavski

[camp_actor]

re: Is it bad.....#1

Posted: 8/24/06 at 6:11pm

No, it's not. You take the work seriously because you respect the work, right?

If you are taking something 100% seriously because it means so much to you, whilst others are messing about then yes, of course, it can be frustrating. But it's common place. It is frustrating because theatre is an ensemble activity - if you are trying to create tension in a scene, and a couple of people are messing about then it throws the whole atmosphere.

This kind of situation is very common. I've experienced similar things as have many of my friends who are in training to become actors. You just need to deal with it, maybe speak to the people who are compromising your work, and try to be the best that YOU can be for yourself. You've got to hope that in the future it wont be as bad.

Unfortunately, it doesn't always die out. I've heard many tales of professional shows (even West End and Broadway) where people spent the entire time mucking about - thinking about themselves more than the work. Again, you just deal with it.

There's nothing wrong with having fun and having a laugh with work, but if it is to the detriment of the piece, then it is damaging. And it means that you have to ask yourself, am I more interested in my ego than in the purpose of the play that I'm in?

Hope things get better for you.

[Chenofan #1]

re: Is it bad.....#2

Posted: 8/24/06 at 6:17pm

I would think it is normal!!!

Im not in college yet, but I want to go to a theatre college. I would only hope there is people like you who take theatre seriously. I would too get irritated at people who do it "just for fun". You expect people to go to college to be serious.

I agree with you totaly! I am in comunity theatre and I even hate when people don't give it their all and don't care. They think they are going to go far with what percent they are giving, but it is the people who are deticated and give every bit of themselves who make it.

And.....SCENE!