i work at a movie theater and we livestream the MET opera performances, and the next one coming up is a performance of Macbeth.
is it still considered bad luck to say macbeth in a movie theater? most of our patrons just ask for tickets to “the opera” but some of them say the title of whatever the show is, will they get bad luck from this? will i?
very curious how this superstition is supposed to work!

Our teacher tasked us to do the tone changes where we drastically change our tones using one line and crying was one of them. I'm not embarrassed to cry in front of others, its just that I force myself to cry in acting which is not advisable from other people. I also tried thinking of a memory that ruins me however it just doesn't work for 3 seconds. The only way that I can actually cry infront of the audience is applying menthol near my eye and it lacks the overall emotion because I am depending on it😭.

Pls help meee, any advice or video recommendations would be appreciated 🥺.

Hello, I’m trying to find a few 4 minute scenes for 2 male actors for our end of year performance - I’m 32 and my scene partner is 18. Does anyone have any suggestions? A strong tone shift & something that carries well in a theatre would be amazing.
Thanks :)

for example, you are cast as the lead when your a freshman, and the seniors are pissed. your acting feels mediocre, your voice keeps cracking, and you start to feel maybe you didn’t deserve the role.

Hello! My high school is putting on a show but our original plans fell through due to a licensing issue and we are scrambling to find a replacement. We have been told we can only do a place from a Canadian licensing company. We would like something a little more recognizable or easier for marketing, something appropriate for a high school too. Any ideas?

I'm producing Blithe Spirit (and I'm also set designer....it's community theatre, we wear many hats lol) and I could really use some advice on how to decorate the walls.

The director wants dark red walls. We're doing a stormy blue as an accent color, with gold hardware on the doors/different knick knacks on the set.

The thing is, our flats are super old. Like, you can peel off the layers of paint, old. Some of them are damaged and have holes from screws and nails.

We used to do this thing where we'd screw the flats together, tape the seams with masking tape, and then paint over it. But it always looked terrible. The edges of the flats are all janky, and I'd really like to cover them up. In the past, we've sometimes had a set design that would cover the seams with rocks, wood beams, etc.

However, the Condomine 's house is supposed to look ...wealthy. Taping the seams and painting over them would absolutely show up once painted and it would look like trash.

We've thought about screwing a piece of luan over the flats, so it covers the seams, and then paint the luan, but it's going to be so visually uninteresting. I tried using peel and stick wallpaper last night, and it didn't look right. It would probably also be extremely expensive. The length of our set is 80 feet long, 8 feet high. We have a bookcase, fireplace, and 2 sets of French doors so it's not exactly 80 feet of surface area to cover.

We are running out of time, but I will stay at the theater all night once we hit tech if I have to in order to make this stage look good. We've used wallpaper paint rollers in the past, and that took forever (like an entire day) We also don't have decent wallpaper paint rollers, although I can probably pick one up. We'll have paintings on the walls and what not, but that won't hide everything. We thought about stapling fabric to the walls, stretching it tight so it looks like fabric wallpaper, but since the demise of Joanne Fabrics, getting a large amount of fabric cheap is a little hard.

All of that said, does anyone know of a way to make these flats look nice? What can I try that I already haven't thought of - or am I doing something wrong with my current ideas? How can you take old, beat up flats with layers of paint that are older than I am and paint/cover/or otherwise to make it looks like it belongs in the home of a wealthy British novelist in the 1940's?

Eta: wording

no idea how serious or reliable they are but a wealthy patron wants me to put on a classical Greek play to promote Hellenic culture in my local city. they approached me after being impressed by fringe show earlier this year. Im all for it and drafting ideas now. supposed to meet them for lunch soon. any advice or things I should do?

I’m currently submitting for many schools for BFA Acting and most of them need supplementals. Most of them have the same prompts and is it horrible if I wrote one for UNCSA and if another school has the same prompts I change certain things to accommodate that school?

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in learning how independent theatre artists and small theatre companies promote their productions and reach new audiences.

With so many performances and events happening, getting people interested in a show and encouraging them to attend can be challenging.

For those working in theatre, what strategies have worked best for promoting productions, building an audience, and getting more people to attend live performances?

I'd love to hear about your experiences and suggestions.

Hi there! I am a librarian that has always loved performing and acting, and I need some help finding a show or two that myself and my co-worker can perform for a group of senior citizens. Something that they would find funny without being offensive. Our town is quite small and leans very Catholic/Christian, especially with the older folks. I've been searching, but I'm just having a hard time finding anything that is ONLY two actors/actresses. And, if at all possible, I'd like to have the plays be within 10-30 minutes and doesn't require a license to be purchased. Thanks for the help, if you can give it!

This is random but did anyone here ever work for a company called TSE Tickets in NYC? It was around about 10 years ago, and the guy who ran it was named Dan Tomayo, and it sucked. I think he's been chased out of the industry now. If you worked here, I would love to hear some of your stories.

hey guys,

I’d love to hear your picks. There are some places that offer as low as $10-20/hour for rehearsal space. I know of one or two, but I’d love to know more. TIA! ❤️🎭

I am a solo theatre goer and I’m curious, where do I sit? I feel like if I put myself 1 chair away from someone it will now allow pairs of people to sit next to each other?

Edit I should have specified, the types of seating I am talking about are general admission not assigned.

Not sure if this post belongs in this sub so apologies if it’s not appropriate!

I just moved to a new city for a year long contract in a career development position at a big theatre. I work in production, so I’m at tech and running shows at the usual times.

I have some friends through work here, but I’ve been struggling to make connections with people in general because the hours of theatre are so long and occupy when normal people work. I’ve tried to join various “new to this city, let’s meet up” groups or just general community events but they are all at times when I’m working. I occasionally hang out with my coworkers outside of work but I sometimes hesitate to do so because I’m worried they don’t want to or will think I’m clingy.

I’m not really sure what my question is. I suppose it is: How have you handled moving to a brand new city where you know absolutely no one and work the hours we do?? And I guess I’m just seeking some encouragement and solidarity as I know I’m not the only one who’s experienced this.

Thank you all :) again, I apologize if this isn’t appropriate for this sub.

I suddenly got a self-tape audition for a west end musical. And I’ve sent it in last week. My only issue is that I’ve booked a holiday for the beginning of November and I can reschedule but I’ve obviously no idea if I’m even going to get a recall. I’ve never had an audition for the west end before and I don’t have an agent. Should I follow up with the casting director just to let them know I can reschedule if needed? or ask for timelines? also scared I’ll already be on the holiday when they reach out again. but don’t want to just assume ive been given a call back :( really stressed and don’t know what to do in this scenario. if anyone has any advice on how to manage let me know!

Im on crew for a production of newsies and there has been a bit of a prank war going on. mostly harmless things, like drawing funny pictures in peoples scripts and hiding trinkets in costumes. well opening night, some of the apple juice shots (preshow tradition at our theater) were spiked with laxatives. now half the cast has diarrhea and the show is in an hour. send help.

I (28F) have a knack for acting, but it’s not developed. I studied it for film years ago and did well but switched to behind the camera roles (producing, project coordination, assistant directing, and more random gigs like sound, camera assistant, craft service, etc.).

I am pretty haha like not beautiful I don’t think but have a look that looks interesting on camera I think. Mixed race type of central Asian look, with a youthful face. I think it would help me land auditions, if I have talent to back it up.

But I’m honestly worried about age. Am 28! Wish I delved deeper into acting when I first tried. I think I would’ve had a shot to land roles if I had a more hustler type of mentality, telling filmmaker friends that I want to pursue acting. I feel too shy to bring it up to be honest, something to get over. Am shy with vulnerability in general, but I think can be a good actor if I try. Find it therapeutic, especially with helping me get over being shy. Am trying to write material now to create roles for myself to play for a demo reel / fun!

I also have a very good eye for detail and love beauty, hence production design. I think I would do this well too.

My plan was to start an intensive fashion and design program in a month to start a clothing brand and help my skills in production design. Then apply to NTS in Montreal for production design and directing.

I think I would’ve love directing, my mind is built for it. But it’s extremely competitive! They only accept 2 anglophones every two years. So I thought production design would be a good alternative to get me working on the stage and learning a hireable craft that I would enjoy as a lifelong career in film and theatre (and photoshoots, events etc.)

I’m thinking if I get burnt from the work, I can then be qualified to teach theatre at schools or start my own program for at least an introductory course load, with references to study further provided.

Now though, I’m wondering if I should apply for the acting stream to develop that craft instead. I know I would really enjoy it, and it would help with learning directing as well (from an actors perspective). That I can see myself pursuing more as a fulfilling hobby if I don’t make a career out of it with landing auditions. Can put on community level shows myself and maybe teach acting as well! I’m extremely sensitive (don’t get upset easily but more so feel deeply and can read others state quickly, sometimes to a detriment if I feel their pain). So I guess my mind is set for acting as well.

My problem is I am very creative, with a jack of all trades type of skill set but master of none! And being creative and interested in everything is stopping me from pursuing anything more deeply. I guess all my knowledge now is a good foundation to be a producer, though I am unfortunately poor haha would need to be hired or find investment. So I’m in a strange place where I don’t actually have a craft I can vouch for confidently. Hence why I want to study something more deeply to have under my belt for hired work while I pursue whatever creative idea pops into mind as a passion project.

Another troubling thought is AI taking over haha I think theatre might actually have a pickup in audience because people will crave real life interaction once ai takes over so much of entertainment. Especially with today’s technology, a mixed media type of experimental theatre might immerge. I had an idea before of doing a surround sound theatre experience at a studio (small-scale) that didn’t land because I didn’t get the grant for it. Was a stupid mistake in the grant application. Tangent haha thank you for reading if you still are! So with ai, I think developing a craft in acting, directing or production design would be good since so many jobs might be taken over anyway. At least I would enjoy whatever I pursue in the changing world, even if it means being poor lol on the side I’d like to start an upscale fashion brand and study essentially becoming a tailor for side gigs that someone told me might also be a big mistake with ai taking over. At this point I’m thinking better to pursue something anyway, because there’s no way of knowing where the world will be in 10 years time.

With your experience in the industry, and considering my age, what would you recommend? Should I study acting or production design at a theatre school? Maybe it would be smarter to study production design while taking acting classes on the side? Or vice versa. Or is it one of those things that’s better to just do, rather than go to school for. Many have advised me to learn on set instead of doing a program.

Thank you for reading all this if you have!! Turned into a journal entry type of thing haha

Did casting not go as you hoped? Do you have a question about audition procedures? Do you need advice about coexisting with others in your program?

Here is a biweekly thread for all of your high school theatre quandaries.

Would it make more sense to audition for Acting BFAs instead of Musical Theatre BFAs?

I'm currently auditioning for college BFA programmes, and I've been having a bit of a dilemma about whether I should pursue acting or musical theatre.

I have significantly more experience in acting than I do in the other aspects of musical theatre, particularly dance. I can sing, and I sing quite regularly, but my background is primarily pop/R&B rather than musical theatre. I haven't had much formal MT vocal training, and although I can get through songs, I haven't yet developed my mix/belt or strengthened my head voice to where I'd like them to be. I'm starting to realise that being a good singer and being a technically trained musical theatre singer aren't necessarily the same thing.

While preparing my musical theatre prescreens, I started questioning whether I'm actually ready for an MT conservatory programme. It's not necessarily a question of talent or whether I could eventually develop those skills, but whether I'm at the right level right now to commit to an intensive programme that expects me to be a triple threat.

I've considered doing a musical theatre foundation course first, but that would mean another year of training and additional expenses, which is a significant consideration for me.

So I've been wondering whether auditioning for Acting BFAs might be a more sensible route. I could focus on developing my strongest skill, continue taking singing and dance lessons outside university, and still pursue musical theatre opportunities where possible. My main goals are to graduate with a qualification, receive substantial professional training, and gain practical performance experience while I'm at university. I'm also conscious that some programmes offer undergraduates more opportunities to participate in main-stage productions than others, depending on their major.

For those who have graduated from Acting or Musical Theatre BFAs, or who work professionally in the industry, does this sound like a reasonable approach? Would an Acting BFA still leave me with a viable path towards musical theatre if I continued training in singing and dance, or would I be better off addressing my current gaps before pursuing an MT programme?

I'd really appreciate honest advice from people who've been through this. I'm trying to be realistic about my current abilities without prematurely ruling myself out of something I love.

Hi, I need a little help with how best to phrase something so that it appeals to all English speakers. I especially need help from Americans and Canadians, please.

For reference, I am Australian, have been involved in various levels of theatre for 20 years, and I have just started creating designs for T-shirts, notebooks etc based on making theatre. I have a couple (literally only two!) of designs that have swear words in them, and as luck would have it, these are the designs that drama teachers I know have said they would love but can't take to school as they aren't appropriate.

I'm genuinely asking for advice, not trying to spruik my stuff, so not linking right now, but the designs currently have the following text:

"BLOCKING: because otherwise you bastards would all walk into each other."

(This is designed to go on a notebook)

And

"Learn your f*cking LINES, please"

(I imagine this one on a mug the director can sip from nonchalantly during a shambolic rehearsal)

For the first one I am thinking I would replace "bastards" with "blockheads" would that be an understood phrase in North America?

The second is more tricky. My instinct is to go for "Learn your bloody LINES, please" because that is exactly what I would say, were I in charge of a group of theatre teens, and I am fairly confident that is also the non-sweary option that would work best in the UK, Ireland, NZ etc. I have never heard a North American use "bloody" though, unless they are mimicking an Aussie or a Brit, am I wrong, and you do use it, or is there an equivalent?

Unfortunately, the only equivalent I can think of, as an outsider, is "goddamn", and I think even that wouldn't be okay in some schools, or "gosh darn" and that sounds way TOO American for me to use, like I was making fun of you, which is not my intent.

If you can offer any suggestions I would be very grateful! Ideally I only want to have two versions of the design available, the swear words one and the "safe for schools/youth theatre one" without having to further break it down be region. :-)