What Community Theatre Actors Want You to Know

1. We may have been who you saw on stage, but we aren't necessarily the ones who made it possible. Go tell the director how good of a job they did when you see them. Yeah, we had our moments when we hated their guts, but without their direction, this really couldn't have been possible.
2. The orchestra will never cease to amaze us. "But you can sing!" But I can't play the French horn, so who really wins here?
3. Tell EVERYONE you see that they did a good job. I didn't understand this until I did Les Miserables a few weeks ago. Back in the summertime, I went to see a community production of Spamalot with one of my best friends, and found out that someone I knew was in the ensemble. So, of course I told her she did well. Then, my friend was like, "Let's go tell everyone they did a good job. You only said it to the one person you knew." I didn't really get her point-- they don't need me to say anything; other people will approach them. But that's not always true. NEVER assume that an actor had someone else seeing them that night that brought roses for them. Sometimes, no one they know is there. When I was in Les Mis, my parents and one of my sisters came on closing day. Which means for two days, I didn't have anyone there to see me specifically. And you know what? Even on closing day, I told my parents not to meet me at the stage door; I went straight to the car and they praised my performance there. But all weekend, not ONE person told me I did a good job as I exited the building with stage makeup still on my face. It was obvious I was in the production. But no one said anything. Not as I saw several others surrounded by flowers and hugs. Even one person saying something would have made me feel better about being there alone. On the last day, a whole bunch of cast members congratulated each other, but it would have been nice for someone else to say something. So be that person. You could make someone's day brighter.
4. The chorus is very important. Even we forget this sometimes. We audition for a big role, we get stuck in the chorus (again), and we feel like a shadow in the background. This is sometimes how we're seen, too. It's very easy to forget that the chorus is important, too-- there are musicals that could not sound right without a chorus. Someone has to play that part. So, remember: the chorus may not be the lead, but they are just as important.
5. It won't be like the time you saw it on Broadway. And it definitely won't sound like the movie. But try to enjoy it anyway, okay?
6. The tickets really aren't that expensive. Like I said, it won't be like the time you saw it on Broadway. If you faint at having to pay $15 for a ticket, maybe you haven't seen anything on Broadway, anyway.
7. COME CELEBRATE COMMUNITY TALENT! Many community theaters are underwater financially, and really need your support to stay floating. Also, this helps community actors gain experience for their college and performing resumes. Some community actors and singers are actually really good, and could make it on Broadway someday. But we need your support to get us there. Make sure to experience live theatre in your hometown-- you'll be surprised how much you like it!