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Potabasil
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Posted: Sun Aug 10th, 2008 06:38 pm |
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Does anyone around here know how much actors charge for reading a play? I'm expecting a reading soon and I haven' t a clue where to find this out. I tried backstage but can't login for some reason.
Potabasil
Last edited on Sun Aug 10th, 2008 06:39 pm by Potabasil
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katoagogo
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Posted: Sun Aug 10th, 2008 10:24 pm |
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Actors generally are not paid for a reading, although Equity actors must be compensated for travel expenses, unless other arrangemnets have been made in advance.
However, if you are charging the audience to attend the reading, then you might want to dole out a percentage of the door to participants.
Many playwrights that I work with will take the actors out for a beverge or a meal, or provide an after show wine and cheese spread as a thank-you.
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in media res
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Posted: Mon Aug 11th, 2008 05:00 am |
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I have done private readings just for me to hear a script. What I do is give each actor a bottle of wine after, or if I know they like a particular booze they get that. I never tell them ahead of time, and they are alway quite pleased and happy that I was considerate. If they have known me for some time, they know what is coming.
Most actors are happy to be asked and will expect nothing. Pity.
If you do a public reading you should not charge for any admission. Few will come. You can have a little repast after for the crowd, always a nice thing, or retire to a local pub as katoagogo mentions. Swallow the cost of the rental space - get the nicest you can for the price, and give the actors something like the above. Gift cards or whatever. JUST GIVE THEM SOMETHING.
And I have done and seen some incredible theatre in readings in people's living rooms. So the venue can vary.
Some actors are lazy. They say they will read the script ahead of time and do some work on it. Them, I love. Some don't. Pain in the ass. I don't use them again. If you have good actors, and you are not going to rehearse, tell them to read the script, work on it, and bring something in! You and they should also know which stage directions should be read ahead of time.
Some actors mistakenly think that a reading is a reading. NO! NEVER. NEVER! NEVER! If you want a "reading" get your mother and father to read it. IT IS A PERFORMANCE. You jump in and fly by the seat of your pants and make that sucker soar. So get the best actors you can. They should think of a reading as an audition for the play and for themselves. And in a reading don't worry about type-casting especially not by looks. (In full production that may have to be the case.) Go by how their voices sound. Make sure they have a voice that is paid attention to. One someone will want to listen to.
I am going to be having some actors I trust do a reading shortly of a play that has multiple roles for several actors, and I told them to read it and then tell me what parts they want to play. Told them don't worry about type-casting by age or race: just what are the most interesting for you to play.
Actors are funny. If you get a bunch of musicians together they just jam and go for it. So many actors timidly tip-toe and test the water. They are afraid of the deep water. When you see a real actor work, it is amazing to watch them just go grab what is there and try to make it sing.
If they are Equity, each local has its own rules. And if it is an invited private reading with no admission - i.e. not a backers audition for which they must be paid - there may or may not be a small fee, and you can contact the local equity office. If it is in your living room just for you and some friends, you don't have to pay a thing, but as I mentioned above, be generous. There may be other local rules for public readings. You should be familiar with them so there are no surprises.
Good luck.
best,
in media resLast edited on Mon Aug 11th, 2008 05:05 am by in media res
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Potabasil
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Posted: Mon Aug 11th, 2008 02:50 pm |
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Thank you Kato for that advise
Potabasil
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Potabasil
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Posted: Mon Aug 11th, 2008 02:58 pm |
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In Media Res
Thank you for the advise. You and kato are great spending all that time and effort to give me this information. I could not reply sooner because yesterday in NH we had dreadful storms, hailstones the size of Moth balls which was really scary for me as I had never experienced that before. Husband was in Rhode Island with one child and I had the other who was having a playdate here. I had to keep control of my fears as I did not want the kids to know how scared I was. This is a very dangerous country to live in (LOL)
Anyway the actors are rounding up and I will have to decide do I go to New York or bring them here. Suppose if I am paying their travel expenses it might be best for me to go their, but I was looking forward to having it here, have dinner for them and the rest..will see what becomes of it all
Potabasil
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Edd
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Posted: Mon Aug 11th, 2008 03:33 pm |
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If you're paying fares to bring actors in I'd love to come back East for a visit. I could read Cadogan or Reid. :-)
Last edited on Mon Aug 11th, 2008 03:37 pm by Edd
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Potabasil
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Posted: Mon Aug 11th, 2008 04:21 pm |
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Super I'll give you the "Master Bedroom" :)
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dramamama
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Posted: Mon Aug 11th, 2008 08:43 pm |
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| Me too, Potabasil! :-)
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Potabasil
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Posted: Mon Aug 11th, 2008 08:50 pm |
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Jasus what have I started. Look what trouble I got meself into last week buying the Quane's Nightgown.
OK, so who wants to wear the Nightgown when they get here. Hands up (LOL)
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in media res
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Posted: Tue Aug 12th, 2008 01:02 am |
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I wear no "Brit's one the dole" nightgowns.
But I will wear something nice from Brown Thomas.
best,
in media resLast edited on Tue Aug 12th, 2008 01:03 am by in media res
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Potabasil
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Posted: Tue Aug 12th, 2008 01:18 am |
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Ah yeah, but Brown Thomas is not what it used to be In Media Res. I wouldn't dream meself of wearing the Nightgown, certainly not, me MA would kill me
Potabasil
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in media res
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Posted: Tue Aug 12th, 2008 01:49 am |
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Haven't been in 10 years. I actually kind of noticed what you say from their website.
So, I stand corrected! Living in the past!
My wife and I will be there soon again. She is a dual citizen. Myself to become one. Looking forward trying to work in Ireland for a year. I know several actors form America who have done so.
One of my dearest friends is one of the foremost professors of Irish history in the world. Lives two blocks from us. We get together every other week for a cocktail...or two.
best,
in media resLast edited on Tue Aug 12th, 2008 01:54 am by in media res
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Potabasil
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Posted: Tue Aug 12th, 2008 02:44 am |
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Well In Media res
We have a beautiful 250 year old gate Lodge in Tipperary a tiny Village called Garrykennedy on Lough Derg. The Lodge is called Garrykennedy Lodge, It used to belong to the Big house Garrykennedy House which in it's day belonged to the brits. I included it in the play during the Night of the Big Wind when Nellie's parents were tenants to the owners of the big house The Watsons. I'm actually in touch with the descendants of the Watsons.
I've just spent the roof repairs on the Nightie, but we are working on it.
If you are hitting Dublin I've loads of friends you I'm sure would love all Theatre goers and great contacts in the theatre so email privately and I'll give you intros. it's the only way in Dublin. If you like wild dinner parties great conversations and lunatic people they are waiting your arrival. I have a friend who runs an Oscar Wilde Society and has monthly dinners. I'm sure you would love Ireland when you get there.
My friends daughter actually works in BT's and at one point she's been dating some fella in the theatre world in New York they are still friends.
I should be back to Dublin within the next few months
Potabasil
Last edited on Tue Aug 12th, 2008 02:46 am by Potabasil
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in media res
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Posted: Tue Aug 12th, 2008 03:11 am |
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Potabasil,
Sounds great. I'll hold ya to it when it happens!
Have letters from my ancestors about "it all belonging to the Brits." Heck, it is the sad history of Ireland. In our family alone, some prisoners to Australia. Some dead in the famine. And some luckily to America (me) and Canada. My dad dealt with the KKK anti-Catholic crap and "No Irish Allowed." Till he punched them in the nose! Tough bird. His got broken a few times, too. But, it earned a lot of respect! And taught us to get an education and try to live a decent life.
My wife is a daughter of a Chicago cop. They used to say, "When you arrived in Chicago, the moment you got off the train they were holding a blue uniform for you."
By the way, our basil is again coming in great this year! Just had some tonight!
Slainte,
in media resLast edited on Tue Aug 12th, 2008 03:31 am by in media res
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dramamama
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Posted: Tue Aug 12th, 2008 01:11 pm |
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| Wild dinner parties, great conversations, and lunatic people?! Say no more!
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Potabasil
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Posted: Tue Aug 12th, 2008 05:02 pm |
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I have three drawings here which were included in a book of a poem by John Keats.
The Poem is called "Isabella or the Pot of Basil"
I've been looking for the book for 15 years, which was published in 1906 by John Lane/Bodley Head. The Illustrations in the little book are by a well known Irish artist Paul Henry.
The book if I ever find it is very expensive around $700.00
The drawing I have here were the proofs for the little book and came from the house of a friend of Paul Henry, who was Arthur Power who was a friend of James Joyce.
Arthur was a friend of my husbands when he was a student in Dublin all those years ago and they had many crazy sessions at Arthur's house in D4 which was always on a Sunday
So because I was always going on about Isabella or the Pot of Basil, people around Dublin started to call me "Potabasil" it sort of stuck
Potabasil
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Potabasil
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 01:58 pm |
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http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0807/jetblue.html
Ok Anyone want free goodies. If you live in NY, with nothing better to do
or you could get some ideas for a Play.
Potabasil
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solarcirclegirl
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Posted: Thu Aug 14th, 2008 01:40 pm |
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ok, here's a question then.
I am going back to my hometown for a reading that a theatre is doing for 'Hauntings'. One of the artistic directors is directing the show and has chosen actors. I don't even know who the actors are (chances are i know a couple of them, I only left town a year ago). Should I consider getting gifts for the actors? I am definitely going to get the artistic director a small token of my appreciation.
When I had been in plays before, i always got the actors and director gifts. I just don't know what to do in a situation like this, and since it's my first reading and i want to be able to do more in the future with this theatre, i thought it would be good to do first good impression, you know?
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in media res
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Posted: Thu Aug 14th, 2008 03:41 pm |
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Yes.
And it doesn't have to be a big deal. Buy within your budget.
Even some very nice chocolate bars, nicely wrapped with a bow. Everyone loves opening a present. Presentation and attitude of genuine thanks is all!
Good luck with it.
best,
in media resLast edited on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 03:42 pm by in media res
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Basso
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Posted: Fri Aug 15th, 2008 05:05 pm |
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Cocaine?
Uhm, no, I guess I actually don't have anything of real value to add. ;)
Basso
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Potabasil
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Posted: Fri Aug 22nd, 2008 04:06 pm |
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I was thinking about that, But Reid and Cadogan are in the same scenes some of the time
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Potabasil
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Posted: Tue Aug 26th, 2008 05:21 pm |
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Sorry
Another question for all you Produced Playwrights.
For my reading do I have to get a director? The reason I ask is that one actor emailed back and said she couldn't make it as the Director of the reading she will be doing that same w/e didn't think she would be free.
Confused Potabasil
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