How to Ask...? Advice please!?

Question:I was given season tickets to a very expensive film festival at a theater in my city. This was a very nice gift! Each Wed. I will get to see a new film with a guest. Unfortunately I am currently in a play that requires rehearsal four night a week (including Wednesdays). My lines are two paragraphs and my total time on stage is two minutes. However, I'm a very important part (the end twist). I want to ask for the time off to go to the festival since all I do is sit for an hour and fifty five minutes every day (at which point I finally go on for my two minutes of glory), but I don't know how to go about it. Any ideas? Is this asking too much?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I was given season tickets to a very expensive film festival at a theater in my city. This was a very nice gift! Each Wed. I will get to see a new film with a guest. Unfortunately I am currently in a play that requires rehearsal four night a week (including Wednesdays). My lines are two paragraphs and my total time on stage is two minutes. However, I'm a very important part (the end twist). I want to ask for the time off to go to the festival since all I do is sit for an hour and fifty five minutes every day (at which point I finally go on for my two minutes of glory), but I don't know how to go about it. Any ideas? Is this asking too much?

Hmm.

It depends on when in rehearsal it is. If you've just started, and you think the director is flexible enough, you MAY be able to work something out with them (you still go to rehearsal, but they do your part first and you leave early).

But consider -- you have signed on to this show. and that's effectively your JOB. They're counting on you for this. Part of this job is making it a priority, and accepting that you may have to miss other things for the sake of the show.

I'm saying this as a theater professional myself, who actually had to miss my very best friend's baby shower because I was stage manager for a show that same day.

No, esspecially since it's an arts-related thing you're doing.
Just explain to your director the circumstances.
Be honest.
Make sure you don't miss any of the shows, because that's unacceptable.
Also, make sure you're doing the best you can at rehearsal, with your two lines, because then she'll see you can manage to miss a few rehearsals!

I am also into theatre, and waiting to hear back from an audition of Urinetown.

What show are you in?

No I just think you should ask.

I totally know what you mean! Maybe you could talk to your director about coming late, I mean, what will you loose by trying? If not give it to a friend who can go, that way the tickets won't go to waste.

Directors expect you to turn up. They expect commitment, no matter how big or small the part is, or how much time you spend backstage doing nothing. Directors don't mind so much if you give them plenty of notice - ie during rehearsal period - if you can't make a show, because then they can plan around it. Some directors will say no, others will be fine. Be tactful when you ask the director, and if they say no, understand that you made a commitment and they expect you to keep it.

(Speaking as someone who has directed, stage managed, performed, and run a venue)