Cast vs. Crew?

Question

Someone tell me, why does the cast always walk all over their crew? Without them, they would have no set, no one to move their set and props, no lights, mics, makeup, costumes, or publicity. They think they work so much harder just because they are the ones that are actually onstage for the performance.

My building crew has worked late nights for the past two weeks in order to finish the set for our school's musical. We are all tired, bruised, and behind in school, and all our cast does is disrespect and criticize us.

What can we do about it? We respect them.... without them, we are nothing and they are nothing without us. It's a balance, but they don't see it that way.

Answer 1

Theatre is a collaborative art. All the elements of production are of vital importance to the director's vision of the play. Each and every person involved is part of this process, and an important part.

Unfortunately, all to often, and particularly, though god help us not only, in school, cast members do not or cannot see this.
Yes, actors can go on without props, costumes, and lights. But what if the play calls for all these elements, as all to frequently they do?

Then your colleagues, and fellow workers in art labour beside you helping to make you look good. They are worthy of their pay and praise.

All too often, because actors believe they are the rarified air of the art, and crew deal only with the practicalities, the nuts and bolts, then they must a a lesser form of being. Nothing can be further from the truth.

But what to do about performers who treat crew like crap? Well, the short answer is nothing. Revenge is petty and unprofessional, and quite frankly if the actors don't "get it" now, then nothing short of a straight punch in the head will get through to them. As tempting as this might seem, it's unprofessional, illegal, and there's no guarantee of success. Actors can be particularly bone-headed when it comes to the location of the centre of the universe.

You might mention the situation to your Stage Manager, and ask them to take it up with your director. Either the director will understand and deal with matters, or they won't. Either way, there's not a lot you can reasonably do. Well maybe have the lighting operator have a five minute black-out during the middle of the big scene. Not that I'm recommending this to anyone, but actor's do tend to want to be seen.

Answer 2

I think the reason the cast walks all over the crew, and this happens in almost every stage environment, is because the actors believe that they are more important. I know this answer is obvious, but most actors, at least the successful ones, have HUGE egos and like to constantly be the center of attention. I am saying this because I am an actor and have seen this in alot of productions I've been in. However, at my highschool our director insists that all actors are also on a crew, which I think is a very good system.
You are absolutely right about the balance that is created by cast and crew. You really cant have one without the other.

Answer 3

But without the cast the crew wouldn't have anything to do!! The crew helps a lot but without the cast there wouldn't even be a show! The cast can still act without props, but the crew will move stuff on stage for the audience to look at if the cast wasn't there! You have a point though, there wouldn't be much of a show without a crew.

Answer 4

talk about not appreciating what is given to you! I worked on a crew once too. It was a small job but none of the actors even new I existed. The actors seem to think that the little building fairy came and did everything when they where alseep. Either that or they just don't care. I mean come on! Whay do actors not even seem to know how to say thank-you! Actors would be nothing without the crew.

Answer 5

This is rare in a union house. However I did run into it in college...........Performers at that level often don't realize how much actual work goes into this industry, and a lot of younger actors haven't developed a professional attitude yet, and can be narcicistic at times. My best advice would be to just shrug it off. Be happy you're in the side of thhe industry that actually finds regular work.

Answer 6

Honestly, the director needs to step in.

I have acted all my four years in high school and that's never been a problem, though I'm sure it is in many other places.

It's funny though, because most actors bond with other actors, but my friends were always the techies and it's always nice to have the techies on your side.

Answer 7

That does sound rude and hard for u. If I ever become an actress like i've always planned then I promise never to act better then my crew.

Answer 8

You are working with non-professionals, that do not undertand how to work WITH cast and crew.

Answer 9

Naruto Defintly One piece and bleach are dhit