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Question: How to get performers to stop nagging the stage crew!?
I don't know about anybody else, but at my high school, the performers always nag the stage crew!. Sometimes they tell us what to do, or they would just say "Fix that" and walk away!. I once even found a note saying, "Will you please fix this!? It doesn't work!." What's worse is, that we don't nag them about their performences!. We can't because we don't know anything about them, like they don't know anything about the set or sound/lights!. So how can we help performers stop nagging the stage crew and get them to appreciate us more!? If it weren't for the crew, then there wouldn't be a show!Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
As a stage manager I understand completely!. Unless it is a major problem, the actors are not allowed to bother the crew!. If they can write down their problem, that's great but it's up to you to decide if it needs immediate attention!. Remind them that you have to do your job, so they can do theirs! If it gets worse, alert the director, teacher or head person and they can settle the matter!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

The director should have enough control over his actors that there isn't chaos in the production!. There should be a well established chain of command so that random actors aren't speaking to random crew members!. Speak to the director or producer of your particular show!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

You need to speak to the director and/or stage manager!. There is a chain of command, and if the actors have a problem they should speak ONLY to the stage manager or director!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

It does depend on the situation!. I'm a professional stage manager, and if props break or a costume rips, then the actors come to me and let me know (in a nice way!) and I arrange for the appropriate department to sort it out!. But if it's not a genuine problem, and just the actors deciding they don't like the particular way something is happening, then that shouldn't be happening!. Maybe at the start of each production there needs to be a general chat where the actors are asked to speak to the stage manager rather than going straight to the crew - that way if it's something unnecessary, the stage manager can tell them so!. If they're telling you what to do, politely say "Thank you, I'll take that into account", walk away and ignore whatever they've said - unless of course they are right! If they're leaving you notes on stuff, obviously they don't want to approach you about it directly - and at least they said please! Actors often leave me notes if I'm really busy on a show - they'll just slip it onto my desk so I know there's a problem that I have to sort out!. also, you say they don't know anything about the set or sound/lights!. If something is causing them trouble - a door not opening far enough for them to get through in a big costume, or they can't hear their song accompaniment, then they do need to tell you because otherwise you can't fix it! I think possibly there needs to be a defined method of problems being reported to the crew - because sometimes the actors do have issues which need to be sorted out!. While it's true that without the crew there wouldn't be a show, there wouldn't be one without the actors either!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com