Code of Ethics for Theater Workers

Stolen from my friend John's blog, but so wonderful I had to share.


Check it out, a 1945 Code of Ethics for Theater Workers, written by Equity member Kathleen Freeman:

Foreword to the Code

“A part of the great tradition of the theatre is the code of ethics which belong to every worker in the theatre. This code is not a superstition, nor a dogma, nor a ritual which is enforced by tribunals; it is an attitude toward your vocation, your fellow workers, your audiences and yourself. It is a kind of self-discipline which does not rob you of your invaluable individualism.
“Those of you who have been in show business know the full connotation of these precepts. Those of you who are new to show business will soon learn. The Circle Players, since its founding in 1945, has always striven to stand for the finest in theatre, and it will continue to do so. Therefore, it is with the sincere purpose of continued dedication to the great traditions of the theatre that these items are here presented.”

The “rules” follow:

1. I shall never miss a performance.

2. I shall play every performance with energy, enthusiasm and to the best of my ability regardless of size of audience, personal illness, bad weather, accident, or even death in my family.

3. I shall forego all social activities which interfere with rehearsals or any other scheduled work at the theatre, and I shall always be on time.

4. I shall never make a curtain late by my failure to be ready on time.

5. I shall never miss an entrance.

6. I shall never leave the theatre building or the stage area until I have completed my performance, unless I am specifically excused by the stage manager; curtain calls are a part of the show.

7. I shall not let the comments of friends, relatives or critics change any phase of my work without proper consultation; I shall not change lines, business, lights, properties, settings or costumes or any phase of the production without consultation with and permission of my director or producer or their agents, and I shall inform all people concerned.

8. I shall forego the gratification of my ego for the demands of the play.

9. I shall remember my business is to create illusion; therefore, I shall not break the illusion by appearing in costume and makeup off-stage or outside the theatre.

10. I shall accept my director’s and producer’s advice and counsel in the spirit in which it is given, for they can see the production as a whole and my work from the front.

11. I shall never “put on an act” while viewing other artists’ work as a member of an audience, nor shall I make caustic criticism from jealousy or for the sake of being smart.

12. I shall respect the play and the playwright and, remembering that “a work of art is not a work of art until it is finished,” I shall not condemn a play while it is in rehearsal.

13. I shall not spread rumor or gossip which is malicious and tends to reflect discredit on my show, the theatre, or any personnel connected with them-either to people inside or outside the group.

14. Since I respect the theatre in which I work, I shall do my best to keep it looking clean, orderly and attractive regardless of whether I am specifically assigned to such work or not.

15. I shall handle stage properties and costumes with care for I know they are part of the tools of my trade and are a vital part of the physical production.

16. I shall follow rules of courtesy, deportment and common decency applicable in all walks of life (and especially in a business in close contact with the public) when I am in the theatre, and I shall observe the rules and regulations of any specific theatre where I work.

17. I shall never lose my enthusiasm for theatre because of disappointments.

In addition, the document continued:

“I understand that membership in the Circle Theatre entitles me to the privilege of working, when I am so assigned, in any of the phases of a production, including: props, lights, sound, construction, house management, box office, publicity and stage managing-as well as acting. I realize it is possible I may not be cast in a part for many months, but I will not allow this to dampen my enthusiasm or desire to work, since I realize without my willingness to do all other phases of theatre work, there would be no theatre for me to act in.”

All members of the Circle Theatre were required to sign this document. And they must have-because the theatre, and the group into which it evolved, was successful for many years.

Technical Difficulties

So a while back I asked a few friends and colleagues to help me with an experimental video project. It involves using your computer or phone camera to shoot a quick (1-2 minute) question. I would take that question, edit around it, and it would appear as though Sandra O'Day (ex-con motivational speaker with an anger management problem) were answering your question.

www.sandraoday.blogspot.com

But there are all kinds of tech problems! Only one person was able to save the file as a .mov and use yousendit.com to ship it to me -- and I know more than one person made a video!

So, if you know some clever way to shoot and send would you let me know? And for those of you who want to participate e-mail me at teachersheila@aol.com. I'm ready to schedule time and use my camera and just shoot you someplace myself.

Speaking of shooting ... I'm rocking off to Texas to visit the family, but will be back July 14. We'll start around then. Happy Trails!

Crazy

Oh, man. I do my best to avoid crazy people. I ditched all my super-crazy friends who thrive on making drama, I avoid crazy-making colleagues as best as I can -- but right now I'm dealing with a crazy that I can't ditch. Yet.

Folks, if someone in your inner circle is always in a tizzy, or having problems getting along with other people or wreaking havoc on a day-to-day basis -- find a way to put them on the road. Steer clear of the crazies, folks. They sap your creativity and eventually pull you into their tornado of selfish nonsense.

I'm Back

Really. I'm back. Six month break. Happens. There will be lots of postings now that I have my new hand-held "smart" phone. I'm pretty sure I can make content go from the phone to this blog. I'm like a tiger on the loose. Well, a small domestic cat on the loose. A wet domestic cat on the loose. Gonna be crazy town.

Look out, kids.

I'm going to blow your minds.

Happy New Year!

Hey there! Just wanted to wish you all a very happy New Year! I hope 2009 brings you all kinds of good things. Drop a line and say hello, either e-mail or facebook.

LA Voice Over Class

For those of you out in sunny LA -- Mandy Kaplan is the real deal. If you want to do voice overs she's the gal to teach you. As always, if you study with someone I recommend please tell them I sent you, it's the highest compliment teachers can give one another. (And let me know what your experience was, so I can keep my recommendations up-to-date and fresh.) Here is Mandy's class invite:

Hello all,

November was a very exciting month for my students.

3 New Bookings including a TV Commercial, Corporate Narration and an Animation Project!

I am such a proud mama bird!

Here's what those students have said:

"I'd had just TWO private coachings with Mandy before I booked a job. If that isn't a testament to her very effective and insightful teaching methods, I don't know what is! I got immediate results and can't wait to "fine tune" with her even more". - Katie Dietz (Commerce Casino TV)

"Mandy took me from wishful thinker to working professional, guiding me through the process with smart, incisive notes and an encouraging approach. After my classes with Mandy, I felt ready to compete in the voiceover world because she taught me the tools I need to really engage with the copy. A whole new, exciting world has opened up for me thanks to Mandy"! - Sandra Payne, (just booked narrator of Glidden Paint Industrial)

Many commercial voice over classes are 6-8 weeks, making a very simple process complicated, expensive and time consuming. In the "Master Your Read" workshop you will gain the skills and confidence to launch your commercial voice over career in one session!

You will learn:

* How to make strong, effective choices when approaching copy
* Basic mic technique and booth etiquette
* The do's and don'ts of demos
* Where and how to market yourself

Class size is limited to 6 students, so that each student will get one-on-one coaching and valuable time in front of the microphone. You will walk away knowing what sets you apart from the rest. You will "Master Your Read."

The next Workshop is Saturday, January 17th at 12pm
@ a studio in Burbank.
Email or Call for details and to reserve you spot:
Mandy
mandykaplan.vo@gmail.com
310-849-1092

Jack Plotnick's Workshop in NYC

Hey folks, Jack is back in town. Here are the details for his workshop. As always, if you attend please tell him I sent you -- and tell me what you think of his class!
-Sheila

Greetings Friends!

Here is the OFFICIAL INVITE to Jack Plotnick's Acting Workshop in Manhattan!
There are only 5 workshops, so they will fill up FAST!


RSVP at acting.workshop1@gmail.com for a performing slot NOW!
Assume you HAVE A SLOT unless you are told otherwise. Thanks!

You will receive a reminder email around 4 days before your workshop.

Please let me know immediately if you need to cancel!
If you cancel without 24 hour notice, you will be responsible for
the fee unless I find someone to take the slot.


THE WORKSHOPS:
Tue. Dec. 2nd from 2-5pm
Wed. Dec. 3rd from 6-9pm
Thu. Dec. 4th from 6-9pm
Fri. Dec. 5th from 2-5pm
Sat. Dec. 6th from 2-5pm


The cost is as follows:
$35 for your first workshop
$30 for all consecutive workshops

Class size is limited to just 11 people per 3 hour workshop.

You may come and watch as many workshops as you'd like for FREE; no
reservation needed - plus if there is a no-show you could take their spot!

Location: NEW DANCE GROUP

305 West 38th Street (at 8th Ave.)

My workshop is designed to help you ACE ANY AUDITION FOR FILM AND TELEVISION.

There's nothing to prepare. Just show up and I'll give you sides to
read, or you can bring anything you're working on.

If you are coming, it is highly suggested that you read my FREE online book:
"New Thoughts for Actors" at: www.JackPlotnick.com


PLEASE feel free to SPREAD THE WORD!

Looking forward!

Jack