GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR VIRTUAL PRODUCTIONS?
See below for rules & how to play with us.
Here are some tips to help us have the most fun shows possible.
Keep in mind this is just a reading. It won’t be your pinnacle performance, it won’t be perfect, but hopefully it will be fun and feed your creative soul. We ask that you please respect the rules on this page and read through thoroughly before your first performance with us.
We try to treat these zoom productions as close to professional productions as possible. For this reason, we avoid stopping or breaking character. We do also record each production and post them to YouTube following shows. If you mess up, just keep going, and please don’t ask questions in the middle of the show. Please also respect your castmates’ time and do not take a bathroom break or phone call in the middle of your scene. We do take an intermission potty break.
Read on below to see answers to common questions and more guidelines.
Common Beginner Questions
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Do I have to have a webcam to participate?
You must have a working webcam with sound to participate. Our productions are in Zoom so you will also need an active account (it’s free!).
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Do I have to have Facebook to participate?
Yes. At this time all of our casting and performance information is communicated through Facebook.
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What script version do we use?
We will post the script to our group so you won’t need to hunt for one.
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What if my internet goes out?
It has happened to ALL of us! Don’t stress, just message a board member to let them know. Please do not continue to play your character until your next scene as someone will cover for you, even if your wifi comes back on as it is an interrupter.
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Do I need to audition for shows?
Nope! We cast shows differently to allow for lots of opportunity. Check out our main page for creative ways we cast.
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How are shows cast?
We do it differently every week. Sometimes it is first come first serve at a scheduled times. Sometimes we use random name generators. Sometimes we cast each other!
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Do I have to be a professional actor to join?
We do ask that you are 18+, have some professional acting experience or are studying it at university. if you have any questions please reach out.
Common Performance Questions
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Can I make whatever choices I want?
We do have audience members of varying ages, so we ask that you keep choices PG-13. Shakespeare isn’t exactly clean and we are not asking you to censor, but merely to make tasteful choices. (no nudity-just so it’s said)
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Can we use the chat?
Yes! We strongly encourage it!
Rules:
-Comments be relevant to the show and PG-13 in content at most.
-If you are going to comment on another player’s performance, you may do so in chat, ONLY if it is positive. No negative comments, criticism-constructive or otherwise. We are here to have fun, support one another, and perform with little to no practice. This is not The Globe. Any inappropriate commentary will result in immediate removal from the group.
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What if I don't know how to pronounce something in the text?
Prior to each show we go through pronunciations of character names to avoid confusion and stopping and starting in the show, if needed. You can also message us any time.
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Can I improv?
Do not improvise dialogue as we are here to enjoy the original text.
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Where are the zoom links to the performances?
The zoom link is always posted day-of on the Facebook event for the reading. The events can be found in the “events” section on our public Facebook page. Please do not message us asking for the links. They will always be in this spot going forward and if they are not there, wait until closer to the event start time.
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Can I ask directorial questions?
If you want to message us we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have. Otherwise, just trust your gut, go for it, and have fun. Make crazy choices!
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If I am cast as a boy and I am a girl, do I have to play the role like a boy?
Nope! You can play whatever character you are cast as, as whatever gender makes you happy (or no gender)
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Do I need sets, props, zoom backgrounds, or costumes?
Yes! As long as your choices fit within our other rules and guidelines of what is appropriate, do what you will! We encourage hair, make-up, indicative clothes, etc. There is no requirement for this.
Please be sure to follow the rules below:
-Attire must not feature any brand names, political statements, or be overtly inappropriate. Productions are posted to YouTube and these rules must be abided for legal reasons.
-Household props are fine but no real guns, drugs/drug paraphernalia, or sexually explicit paraphernalia-failure to comply will result in immediate group removal.
-Avoid distracting backgrounds or noisy locations for performances (Zoom backgrounds are fine)
Attendance & Penalty Policy
Our volunteer board members and assistants put in hours of work on a weekly basis to prepare for each production to make the experience easy and fun for everyone involved. For that reason, please see the attendance policy below:
-Once you are cast in a role, you cannot drop without a penalty. We understand emergencies do happen. These will be judged on a case by case basis.
-The penalty is disqualification from participating in the next two productions with us.
-Three penalties may constitute removal from the group and will be reviewed by the board.
By submitting for a role, you are agreeing to accommodate your work, homework, childcare pick-up, outside rehearsals, and schedule to participate in this production-as you would with any professional theater production or reading.
Thank you for playing with us!