There are places within the theater that you should be familiar with, like what's stage left, when will the light be on me, and more!!!!!!!!!!
The Stage
There are different places on the stage that you MUST know.
Got it? Good
The Lights:
You never want to be caught off guard when the lights shine on you! There are some ways you can prevent that!
Check with the stage crew before you go on. Ask them where the lights will be shining in each scene. They might be able to type up a list when the lights will be on you. If you're a lead actor/actress, you probably will have the lights on you when you say an important line! If they don't, just be prepared!
Next tip: Look up at the lights. You may see them moving towards or away from you. Once again be prepared!!!!!
Backstage:
This is where the real action happens!!!! Trust me you don't want to be back there when something goes wrong!!!!
Stage lines? What in the world are stage lines? No, they are not the stages big moment in the play! Actually they have to do with backstage not the real stage!! If you're standing in the doorway of the stages' doors and you are able to see one, just one member of the audience, you've entered the stage lines. If you can see the audience, guess what? They can see you. Remember stay away from the stage lines!!!!!!!!
Never run around backstage!!!!! That is a definite no, no! Even someone who knows nothing about acting would know that. Come on!!!!!
Even if you're not out on the stage, you still have a part, and it's so important!!!!! You may be wondering what your part would be. Why it's singing of course!!!! If someone is singing a solo, you wouldn't want to sing along, because that's their moment to shine!!!!! But if a whole group of kids are singing, you can join in!!!!!
Stage crew:
Ever see in cartoons when the curtains fall on a character and they're just lying there? It really doesn't happen in the real world. Usually the curtain comes from the side, so both sides move at once and it doesn't come down. Although it is very common for the curtain to come down. Just move out of the way when the curtain is coming!!!!
Don't make noise:
Absolutely positively you mustn't ever make noise behind the curtain!!!!!! Everyone should just leave if you do. If it doesn't make sense here's an example:
Imagine you're watching Romeo and Juliet and it's the part when Juliet finds out Romeo is dead. The actress says her lines and is about to kill herself (mind you there's not one dry eye in the place), the curtains are closed. Just as Juliet picks up the sword someone is laughing behind the curtain.
Get what I mean now? That part of the play was supposed to be so upsetting and the biggest point of the play, then it is ruined. Now what fun is that? Not much!!!!!
Things that don't fit in anywhere:
Don't worry if you walk on stage at the wrong time or something doesn't happen at the right time. No one in the audience knows you did something wrong, unless you show it. Here are 2 examples of walking on the stage at the wrong time. You be the judge and decide which one is better.
Example one:
(Harry walks on stage at the wrong time)
Mike and Pat are talking about escaping to the beach without a care in the world. Harry comes on:
Hey Pat, don't think you're leaving! (realizing he made a mistake, runs off and comes back on 2 minutes later)
Example two:
( Harry walks on stage at the wrong time)
Mike and Pat are talking about escaping to the beach without a care in the world. Harry comes on:
Hey Pat, don't think you're leaving! (realizing he made a mistake says another line) I'll be back and hope you changed your mind!
In my view number 2 is better because he made up for his mistake instead of making the show a total loss by running off.
And for one last time the theater is your friend!
