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You're Fired! It’s five minutes to curtain and one of your actors isn’t here, AGAIN! Bob really gives it a lot of effort but he’s TERRIBLE on stage! Everyone’s dragging in at 7:45 for the 7:30 PM (SHARP) rehearsal! If any one of those scenarios causes you to take a stroll down “bad-memory lane,” then you must be a director! While these are not uncommon problems, figuring out how to handle them when all you want to do is yell, “YOU’RE FIRED!” is another matter altogether. The phrase “you’re fired” has become rather trendy lately, what with a certain television show featuring a certain real estate mogul trying to find the perfect apprentice to work at his company. But it’s still not very appetizing to think about speaking those words, especially when you’re dealing with people who are (turn up reverb, please) giving of their time and talent in service to God. So, what do you do? First of all, pray about it. Then, take a long look at your directing and management style, and consider implementing the following techniques to help improve the overall work ethic of the drama team. Communicate, communicate, communicate! Make sure your cast and crewmembers know when and where they’re needed. Prepare and distribute written rehearsal and performance schedules. Send reminder e-mails. Make phone calls. If youth or children are involved, put their parents in the communication loop. • Be early! You can’t blame anyone for being late unless you are there on time, every time. • Be prepared! Don’t fault your actors for not learning their lines if you haven’t done your homework as a director. • Stand by your skit! Always show dedication and enthusiasm, even in those early, sometimes difficult, stages of rehearsal. Otherwise don’t expect to see much of it from anyone else. • Have a heart-to-heart. Sometimes there’s that one person who just doesn’t want to play by the rules or who can’t play their part well. Don’t confront them in front of everyone else. Find a good time when you’re calm and collected, and when you know they have a moment to talk and listen. Gently outline the problem as you see it, and ask them to help you find a solution. Maybe they’re miserable and looking for a way out. They can be dismissed with no hard feelings on either side. Maybe there’s a problem you weren’t aware of. Work with them to find a way to solve it. • Seek guidance from the professionals. Most pastors are trained counselors. Seek his/her confidential advice on the subject. But don’t go around discussing the problem with just anyone who’ll listen. That can get you in deep trouble. • No understudies! Maybe! You’re not running a Broadway production here. There’s no understudy waiting in the wings in case the star breaks a leg (or more likely, is a “no-show” on the day of the performance). Make sure your cast members know that they have accepted a big responsibility and you are depending on them and they need to take it seriously. (However, it might not be a bad idea to have • Take control! Have fun! If your rehearsal begins to spin out of control, stop the show, interrupt the cycle, break the bad habit before it forms. But no fit-pitching, please! Play an improv game. Have the actors read their parts in funny accents or exchange roles for a little comic relief. Take five. Lead warm-ups or breathing exercises. Do whatever it takes to encourage teamwork. • Direct-a-prayer. Begin and/or end rehearsals and performances with prayer. Besides doing some-thing pleasing to God, this is a wonderful way to regain the focus of your drama ministry. For some, praying “out loud” can be scarier than performing in front of thousands, but this doesn’t have to be a long oratory! Besides, the benefit really outweighs the discomfort. If you’re wondering what to pray about, just give thanks for the people who are there giving their time and talent in service to God. |
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