Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/18 22:37As a theatre person, I am sometimes known to be overdramatic and overreact to things. But I don't think I am in this case:
I'm currently in Tommy, as many of you know, and we're in the middle of our performance days, as of tonight (the show just ended). We have a matinee and a night show tomorrow and a matinee on Sunday. Matinees are usually never good, but tomorrow's is going to be God- awful. Why? Oh, tonight many of the cast are going to be doing drugs and drinking alcohol.
There are no words to describe my FURY at them.
Am I being terrible, a busybody?! First of all, they shouldn't be doing any of that at their age- I'm the oldest in the cast, I believe (I turn 18 tomorrow), and it's sad that I seem to be the most responsible. Second of all- WE HAVE TWO SHOWS TOMORROW!!!! WHAT ARE THEY THINKING???
I know, I know- it's their lives, and really none of my business. But it's not really the show. It's the fact that a lot of these people are my friends, and I'm really worried about them. I have talked to them about this, and they know I'm worried about them and they know I hate it. But all this knowledge resulted in was them lowering their voices whenever I enter a room. Unfortunately, I have good hearing, so, yes, I know that they want some rum and also some cocaine tonight.
It just really hurts me that they still continue to do this when a) they know how worried I get and b) we have to perform for people tomorrow. I've turned a blind eye before, but I am so tempted to tell someone. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure they'll tell me to mind my own business (by "they", I'm talking about the director/ producer) and that as long as they're fine, what difference does it make? But it does! They're putting themselves and the show in danger, and I don't think that should be tolerated. The girl holding the party does this kind of stuff all the time- and she's our lead.
Theatres should do drug tests. If you test positive, they should never hire you again until you prove that you've gotten some help. Am I wrong about this? (And I'm seriously asking- if I AM wrong, please tell me).
Post edited by: Starlet_Actress21, at: 2008/01/18 22:40Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.
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stlgurl702
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Re:Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/18 22:44Honestly, I agree. If you want to go out and drink, do it AFTER the final show. It's always bothered me watching people come in to do a matinee hung over.
However, drinking has just become the norm at cast parties. But I will never due anything that could affect me later at a cast party if I still have shows to do!!! I find that very unprofessional, and disrespectful to yourself, the audience and everyone else in the cast.Auditioning For- Bye Bye Birdie (Hoping for Kim for Ursula)
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Starlet_Actress21
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Re:Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/18 22:56Well, you have a good point there, and it's not really the drinking that bothers me- it's the drugs. I don't know, I just can't stand it.
I never used to be this uptight about stuff- with me, it was always "whatever, it's your life, I'll just ignore it". But then my friends involved me in that life. When I was a show in October, my friend told me she was having a cast party at her house. Okay, cool, I trusted this friend, there were only nine people in the cast, and it sounded like fun. But then stangers (to me and most of the other people) started getting invited. And eventually I was told that the party was taking place at another girl's house. My friend told me that there would be drugs and drinking but told me she would make sure I was not pressured to do any of it (she knows my views). I don't know myself very well, because I honestly thought that I would do that stuff. Not that I wanted to, but I am so desperate for people to like me that I thought I would. But I surprised myself by sticking to my morals. Before any of the crap started, me and three of my friends decided that the party was stupid and dangerous and we escaped. I don't use that word lightly- I have never felt so trapped in my life; I had been warned to stay away from one of my castmates because he vowed to make me drink alcohol by the night's end. I was terrified (he later called me to apologize, saying her never said that). As we were driving, we wanted to make sure our friend was okay,so we called her. It was so scary because the girl who called her kept saying her name into the phone, but she wasn't andwering, even though the phone had picked up. "Did they already give her something?" said my other friend. That sentance still haunts me. We spent the night at one of my friends' houses and my mom picked me up in the morning. All I did for two days was cry, and I'm not exaggerating. That incident has changed my life completely. I have vowed never to touch a drop of alcohol in my life- not at a party, not at my wedding, nothing.Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.
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aliauthor
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Re:Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/19 00:03have vowed never to touch a drop of alcohol in my life- not at a party, not at my wedding, nothing
Good for you. You're right to be worried.
I am one of the only girls at my school that has never been drunk/tried drugs/experimented with sex. It's horrible to think that the world is like this, and I'm happy to say I'm guilt free.
We just got into high school, and they think they're being really cool and a 'big kid', but they aren't at all. I agree with your views completely, your castmates are being unprofessional. Tell the director without putting moral views into it. Go to the director in private and say: "Some cast members are doing cocaine after shows, and we have matinees tomorrow to do. It could hurt the show and I just wanted to let your know."
BTW, happy 18th birthday tomorrow!
Post edited by: aliauthor, at: 2008/01/19 00:04-Ali
Currently: -Sheila; Boys Next Door (postshow depression mode) -acceptance to acting ensemble -Bye Bye Birdie (audition- didn't get a callback)
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Flece
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Re:Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/19 02:06if they're putting the show in danger, then, yes, someone in a position of authority should be alerted.
but there shouldn't be mandatory drug testing for theater companies. i've been prescribed opiates for chronic pain. i never miss rehearsals and i've never dropped a line during a performance.Briana
Currently: Roustabout, "Side Show"
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Christine_wannabe
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Re:Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/19 02:15I would also tell the director, it is not only going to mess up the show, but someone could get hurt. And good for you, i also have very high standards and morals and decided no drugs and alcohol EVER. Luckily most of the people in my cast also have high standards and morals! and are cast parties all have adults there (the group i am in has ages 12-18)Favorite Shows: POTO, Wicked, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, BATB, Music Man and more!
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Starlet_Actress21
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Re:Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/19 11:41Flece wrote: but there shouldn't be mandatory drug testing for theater companies. i've been prescribed opiates for chronic pain. i never miss rehearsals and i've never dropped a line during a performance.
^Well, that's a different thing- if it's prescribed, then it's absolutely fine... and that can be explained. But it's mostly just this theatre I'm unhappy with, because I know most of their casts have done drugs.Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.
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triplethreat
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Re:Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/19 12:58Wow, we are really getting into the heavy topics, aren't we?
Personally, I really wouldn't lump drugs & alcohol into the same category. I enjoy the occasional glass of wine, but I really don't think that means that I don't have "high standards and morals". After all, I don't drink enough to damage my health, and drinking isn't illegal because I am over legal age.
I've never tried drugs (because it's illegal) or even taken a puff of a cigarette, (because of my dedication to keeping my voice in good shape). It's my personal choice to make, and others are free to make their own choices, however...
I don't really thing "morals" are the issue here at all. Aside from the obvious lack of concern for the quality of their performances, what these people are doing is ILLEGAL and on that grounds I would not hesitate to tell the director. How people behave at cast parties is a reflection of the cast as a whole as well as the organization producing the show. It is also beyond inconsiderate of the other cast members to do something that will potentially harm the production._____________ Kris MTA Admin
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Juliet
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Re:Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/19 19:14I think cocaine is really something serious, but drinking happens with most casts no matter what the age...I feel like it sort of comes along with the territory of theater. But when these people choose to do stuff like that, they're taking their future into their own hands. I've known many many people who have been blacklisted by directors for drinking and then showing up late/messing up their part/being exhausted. It's sort of karma...
I would not spend time with them, but I think telling someone may not be the best way to deal with this.Current Show: Coppelia (Swanhilda's friend) Shows in the Last Year: The Nutcracker(Spanish Chocolate, The Prissy Doll) Little Shop of Horrors (Ronnette), Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit), Urinetown (Little Sally), Schoolhouse Rock Live (Dori),
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Starlet_Actress21
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Re:Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/19 22:29I guess it's partiially the fact that it IS illegal, what they're doing. I mean, if they were a) at or over the drinking age and b) drinking responsibly, it would be a different story. But I know they're not, because I heard the descriptions of the party today.
You're right, Kris- drugs and alcohol are not in the same category, especially if the alcohol is consumed responsibly, and I know most people do drink responsibly. My cast mates aren't "most", I'm thinking.
I guess I never realised that drinking was a part of cast parties because I generally skip cvast parties unless I really like the cast, which is usually in shows where I'm with peole younger than me (like, areound age 12... most of the people in this cast are younger than me, too). I guess I'm just really innocent, and I never thought of that as a bad thing.
None of them seemed any worse for wear this morning, and the shows went well, which I guess is good... it didn't affect the show much (matinees always suck anyway). But... they're at it again tonight, even when the director asked straight out if there were going to be any "festivities" tonight, as he wants a really good matinee tomorrow. Everyone assured him, fingers crossed, that no, no, they were going to go straight to bed tonight.
I know they're going to do it again after tomorrow's show, but that's none of my business, and it doesn't affect me at all. I guess I just don't approve of them partying and then talking about it around the 8 and 12 year olds in our cast (who play 4 and 10 year old Tommy).
*shrug* I guess I'm just scared that they're going to get hurt because, truly, I like most of the people that are doing this. I don't want to lose friends.
Post edited by: Starlet_Actress21, at: 2008/01/19 22:31Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.
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JChris
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Re:Am I Overreacting? - 2008/01/20 01:09Unfortunately this is just a small taste of the entertainment industry and should you continue this situation may just get worse, the best thing you can do is be an example and hope others follow. I don't believe telling the director would help, because its won't stop them in time and it could lead to really bad turmoil between you and the those who you are guilty which is also bad for the show. This is a tough place, especially in High School shows where very few have the professional attitude.J Chris
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