So tonight I went to rehearsal for The Crucible. I haven't been for a couple of weeks because, although my part is formidable, I'm only in Act 2 and the rehearsals over the past couple weeks have been for Act 1.There's this guy who's playing John Proctor, the main character. I met him for the first time tonight. He missed the first month or so of rehearsal because he was hiking the Appalachian trail or something like that. I wasn't real keen on Todd giving that role to someone who would miss that much, but whatever.Anyway, I meet this kid tonight. Nice enough. Young guy probably in early 20's. He's doing alright I suppose. I'm thinking he might be a nice kid. Then immediately after rehearsal is over he grabs me and another guy who's playing the Marshall. It's his first stab at acting and he's actually doing well. Anyway, GuyWho'sPlayingProctor grabs us and says he's trying to meet with everybody to do some "character work". WTF? Who is this guy? So I try to go with it. I originally thought he wanted to run some lines or something. Nope. He sits and proceeds to give us a little acting class. Or attempts to. "You guys are doing a good job." Thanks, kid, I knew that already. Then he starts saying stuff like it's important to understand what our character wants...going into Acting 101 (which I had in 1991, when he was in kindergarten). "What does your character want?" he asks me. "Your head on a platter" I reply. Then I make some comment about Danforth being self-serving before wiggle my way out of his grasp and go backstage (leaving poor John to deal with the guy.)So I was a bit pissed. Who is this guy? So he went off somewhere last summer and did a repertory gig or something. Okay, great. I'm pushing twice his age and have 4 times the theater experience he has. He comes backstage and says to me "Thats cool that you were a Theater major. Where did you go to school?" I admit, I got a little cocky and condescending with him. I replied by listing the 5 colleges and universities I've attended. That was the end of that conversation.Then I'm driving home and my friend Becky calls. She's playing Tituba. She wasn't at rehearsal tonight, but she called to tell me about this arrogant kid and how he...did the same thing to her!! So he's taking it upon himself to make sure us poor small town peons get the benefit of his vast talent and knowledge of the theater. AARRGGGHHHH!!!!I've been trying to figure out how to handle this. What my flesh wants to do is to say, "Listen bud, I was doing theater before you you could read. You watch me. I'm here to school you." But, fortunately, that's not my nature. So I'm pondering the idea of pulling him aside Thursday before we start and do a sort of "clearing". Basically with the motivation being clearing it, putting it aside, and being able to work together and support each other. I would invite him to #1 not make assumptions about people in the cast, #2 let the director be the director, and #3 just have a little more respect for people. Or, I could call Todd the director and talk with him about it. Or my friend Barb, who is the stage manager and this kid's neighbor.So I have to admit I'm venting a little bit. But I'm also interested in how some of the older, wiser folks here might handle such situation. Well, actually, some of the younger folks here might be among the wiser. Have any of you had to deal with someone who has much less experience - and considerably younger than you - attempting to "educate" you in how to do your job? How did you handle it? How would you handle it? Is this just pride on my part? Is this a legit concern, or do I even have a point?
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Do I have a point?
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Quote:Young guy probably in early 20's Quote:I'm pushing twice his age really?well, honestly, a young lad armed with a bit of knowlage does tend to try to share and instruct. It happens. You can be just cool about it, humor him a little then take the role of instructor.
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I guess if he's 22 that would make me 44.Okay, maybe not twice his age.But still!
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heheyou old fart
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It's his personality, and you won't be able to change that. At best it will gradually improve with time. He probably thinks he's doing you a great good turn improving your acting.I agree with Rad, it would be best for all, if you spoke to the director and the director spoke to him. But I bet he can't understand why you don't want to be improved.
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I never said I didn't want to improve. I'm as open and teachable as anyone. I learned from high school kids in "Footloose". I'll learn from anyone. I just don't think it's the place of some new kid, who's basically a mediocre actor, to come and do impromptu acting classes with those of us who have been around for a while.This morning I'm feeling like I'm just gonna ride it out and see what happens. If I do anything, it will be to talk to Todd the director and see what he's thinking.
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He's like any green kid with a little education, he thinks the knowledge he's full of puts him a head above everyone else, despite their practical experience. It's the same in every field I think.The best way to deal with those kind, or so has been my experience, is put 'em in their place when they fuck up. It kills that ego thing real quick. In the meantime just walk away when he has his little impromptu acting classes. Don't feed his ego with fained attentiveness.Just be waiting quietly at his side with the baseball bat of reality and experience and be ready to pummel the shit out of him when he slips up. Greenhorn son of bitch..That's sounds rather harsh and angry doesn't it.
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Originally Posted By: OldFolksThat's sounds rather harsh and angry doesn't it. Let's call it needed balance, my friend.
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MACBETH!mwwaaahahaha
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I agree with OldFolks when he says to put this guy in his place when he messes up... though I wouldn't put it as, ehem, curtly. Don't do it in a nasty way though, do it with a smile...that always grinds their gears!
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I'm thinking the best way to "put him in his place" is to do a great job with my role and encourage him...you know, like a teacher would a student.
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Quote:I'm thinking the best way to "put him in his place" is to do a great job with my role and encourage him...you know, like a teacher would a student. I agree!