The Deadline for submission of
Applications to direct a STUDIO
THEATRE PRODUCTION
1. All potential directors must complete the application process and meet the application deadlines. 2. Senior applications will be given priority but all applications will be considered and evaluated on merit. 3. Once your application has been approved, you will be required to meet all of the studio theatre standards regarding rehearsal schedule, adult super-vision, technical requirements, etc. 4. All approved productions will include observations by Mr. Roth prior to any dress rehearsals and one observation of a dress rehearsal. Additional observations may be requested by either party as needed. 5. All Directors will have taken the SHS Directing course and have participated in the One Act Play Festival. Click here to open a Studio Theatre Application in Microsoft Word
Meetings, Auditions, Casting and Rehearsals All meetings, auditions, cast lists and rehearsals must be cleared with the Director of Players. Once they have been approved they will be posted on the call board. The call board, located in the hall of the four building should be consulted each day by every member of Staples Players. Auditions may be held on stage, in the Black Box or in any space assigned by the director. All auditions must be announced one week prior to their date. Auditions are open to all people enrolled in the Theatre Department classes and active in Staples Players. With approval, some consideration can be given other Staples students. Procedure during auditions will be left to the discretion of the director. Rehearsals and meetings may be held anywhere in Staples approved by the Staples administration, the Director of Players and teachers whose classrooms may be impacted. No rehearsal may exceed 9:30 P.M.. Exceptions must first be discussed with the Director of Players. All meetings and rehearsals must have an adult supervisor on record and approved. Breaking either of these rules will demand severe actions, including possible cancellation of a production. Rehearsal schedules for each show must be posted on the call board. A copy of the rehearsal schedule, including identification of adult supervisor, for each production must be presented to the Director of Players a week in advance through-out the rehearsal period.
Studio Staff Responsibilities Technical Coordinator: This person is selected by the student director and his/her name and signature needs to appear on the original application which is approved by the Board of Directors with final determination given to the Technical Director. S/He is responsible for coordinating all the tech for the show. All decisions made by the technical coordinator must first be approved by the Technical President and VP as well as the Technical Director. Stage Manager: The stage manager works closely with the the student director and the cast. Being present at each rehearsal is mandatory. This person must bring all problems to the attention of the student director. Any major conflicts should be brought to the Board of Directors. Along with the director this person is in charge of restoring the theatre after production and making sure all items (props, costumes, scenery etc.) are put back or returned. This person should command the respect of his or her peers and demonstrate good leadership skills. Assistant Director: An assistant director may be helpful in running rehearsals, making sure actors are prepared, and doing other helpful tasks. Because these productions are often quite small, it is up to each director to determine whether this is a position that needs to be filled. Restrictions on Actors Persons having a large role in one show will not take a large role in another show, when in rehearsal at the same time. The actor may take another small role, as long as both student directors agree, and a conference with the Director of Players is held. This action is meant to offer opportunities to more actors and to minimize stress in the production process. Depending on the number of shows being presented and the scheduling of these shows, actors will be limited in the overall number of shows in which they can participate Staples Players has an enormous depth of talent that is underutilized. It is the intention of studio theatre to make greater use of this pool of talent and to give everyone as fair a chance as possible to be involved on stage.
Click here for Notes on Casting
Any person can be removed from involvement within a show if, at any time, he or she exhibits a harmful attitude. A good attitude, helpful, considerate, supportive, hardworking, is to be shown by all members. Negative attitudes will not be tolerated.Grades: A grade point average of C- will place a student in jeopardy of membership. The person will be allowed involvement but will be given no position of authority or responsibility. Anything lower than this standard calls for immediate action. Recognizing that each situation is different, the student may be put on probation or removed from involvement until grades are improved.
Click here for more information on grades
Studio Theatre Guidelines* Studios take precedence in a time sequence; otherwise they are equal in the services that are provided.
*If a studio is rehearsing concurrently with a mainstage production, casting peference will be given to the mainstage.
* The director is not to move sets unless doubling as the stage manager.
* Unless acting as the stage manager, the director must remain in a seat in the audience during the entire performance. The performance should be prepared to function without the director available.
* All studio directors are to take a day, early in the process, to tour the storage rooms with the Prop Master, to see what is on hand.
* Take loaned props home by the Tuesday after you close or they become the property of Players.
* Set designs must be submitted to Mr. Ziegahn no later than four weeks prior to opening. Failure to do this may result in cancellation.
* Minimize sets as much as possible. The space is small. Minimal sets allow for greater flexibility and don't overpower the audience/ play.
* Set changes are to be short and quick. No audience should be in the dark for more than 15 seconds.
* Sets and lights are to be set up no more than seven days before opening and no later than two days before opening.
* Lighting designs must be submitted to Mr. Ziegahn no later than four weeks prior to opening. Failure to do this may result in cancellation.
* All white lights remain OFF in the Teachers Cafe. Use gelled clip lights.
* Overhead lights in the lighting room are to remain off. Use gelled lights.
* Marquee design must be okayed by Mr. Ziegahn and Arts and Graphics senior manager four weeks before opening. Failure to do this may result in the show being canceled.
* Marquees must be on North Avenue three weeks prior to opening. Failure to do this may result in the show being canceled.
*Remove all theatre posters and marquees from public display within three days of the close of each show.
* Open on schedule! Scheduling is tight. A postponement may end up in a cancellation.
* Actors are expected to share in the tech work.
* Do not touch curtains during performance. Movement destroys the illusion. Be careful.
* The program must be submitted to the Director of Players at least one week before opening. The student director should compose director's notes telling why they chose the show. It's also a place to say thank you. There are to be no bio notes in the program. Check with the Director of Players regarding legal size requirements of title, playwright and other credits that must appear in the program.
* Photos are to be tacked to the bulletin board. All members (actors, techies, directors, technical directors, stage manager, Mr. Roth, Mr. Ziegahn, Mr. Deedon and the officers) are to be represented by head shots.
A listing of previous Staples Players Studio productions
