Midwest mom Susan Whitby tells you what to expect when your children want to take the show business plunge

Susan Whitby joined us for the first of two episodes to talk about her daughters, Audrey and Maddie, who, after starting out in community theatre in Indiana, have moved on, with her help and five years in Los Angeles,  to become successful on the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and more in Hollywood.  But it wasn't easy and there were no guarantees.  Susan shares what she learned along the way and gives some solid advice on what to do and what to expect when your kids decide to pursue a show business career.

Audrey Whitby has various television acting projects including a recurring role on Nickelodeon's The Thundermans and Maddy Whitby is co-host of the morning Radio Disney show, Morgan and Maddy in the Morning.

Links to two of the teachers/workshops for young actors mentioned in the show:

* Cynthia Bain's Young Actor's Studio

* John D'Aquino

Midwest mom Susan Whitby tells you what to expect when your children want to take the show business plunge

Susan Whitby joined us for the first of two episodes to talk about her daughters, Audrey and Maddie, who, after starting out in community theatre in Indiana, have moved on, with her help and five years in Los Angeles,  to become successful on the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and more in Hollywood.  But it wasn't easy and there were no guarantees.  Susan shares what she learned along the way and gives some solid advice on what to do and what to expect when your kids decide to pursue a show business career.

Audrey Whitby has various television acting projects including a recurring role on Nickelodeon's The Thundermans and Maddy Whitby is co-host of the morning Radio Disney show, Morgan and Maddy in the Morning.

Links to two of the teachers/workshops for young actors mentioned in the show:

Cynthia Bain's Young Actor's Studio

John D'Aquino

There are some rules about play production -- breaking them can result in getting your show shut down.

Our friend and entertainment lawyer Gordon Firemark recently published this blog post on how producers can make sure they don't get their show shut down.  Gordon's insights sparked a conversation between the Geeks.  Authors and play publishers set down a lot of rules about how you're supposed to produce their plays.  Rules can be both artistic and pertain to the marketing of your production, and you ignore them at your company's peril.  And while most requirements are pretty standard, there can be special cases and variations depending on the author and/or publisher.

Want to do a musical but you prefer the song from the movie that replaced the one in the original production?  Careful!  You're definitely not allowed to do this unless you make special arrangements, which may be difficult to get.  So, what do to?  Ok, maybe you just cut the song, right?  WRONG.  Mostly, theatre companies are obligated to produce plays and musicals as written.  This is not just some temperamental author being a prima donna.  Authors have a right NOT to have their work tampered with.  If a theatre company does damage to a work it is still attributed to the author, most audience members may hate the play not realizing the author didn't write it that way.  If you can't get permission for changes, you don't make them.  Or you find another play that you like better.  Simple as that.

The Geeks delve deeper into this issue, so listen in.

 

Article: How to make sure your production doesn't get shut down, by Gordon Firemark.

 

Music for Theatre Geeks provided by Music Alley.

There are some rules about play production -- breaking them can result in getting your show shut down.

Our friend and entertainment lawyer Gordon Firemark recently published this blog post on how producers can make sure they don't get their show shut down.  Gordon's insights sparked a conversation between the Geeks.  Authors and play publishers set down a lot of rules about how you're supposed to produce their plays.  Rules can be both artistic and pertain to the marketing of your production, and you ignore them at your company's peril.  And while most requirements are pretty standard, there can be special cases and variations depending on the author and/or publisher.

Want to do a musical but you prefer the song from the movie that replaced the one in the original production?  Careful!  You're definitely not allowed to do this unless you make special arrangements, which may be difficult to get.  So, what do to?  Ok, maybe you just cut the song, right?  WRONG.  Mostly, theatre companies are obligated to produce plays and musicals as written.  This is not just some temperamental author being a prima donna.  Authors have a right NOT to have their work tampered with.  If a theatre company does damage to a work it is still attributed to the author, most audience members may hate the play not realizing the author didn't write it that way.  If you can't get permission for changes, you don't make them.  Or you find another play that you like better.  Simple as that.

The Geeks delve deeper into this issue, so listen in.

 

Article: How to make sure your production doesn't get shut down, by Gordon Firemark.

 

Music for Theatre Geeks provided by Music Alley.

The Geeks share a few tips and tricks for fighting colds and other ailments that can play havoc with  your performance.

Music provided on this Bastille Day (as we're recording this) by Music Alley.

The Geeks share a few tips and tricks for fighting colds and other ailments that can play havoc with  your performance.

Music provided on this Bastille Day (as we're recording this) by Music Alley.

Smoking onstage and its alternatives

Depending on your venue, audience and local laws, producing a script that requires that characters smoke can be problematic. Where smoking is prohibited in public places it is sometimes allowed in stage performances, but audiences may still not accept it or approve. Some audience members may be sensitive to smoke, and some venues, such as schools, may not allow smoking under any circumstances.  What to do? The Geeks discuss the question of smoking onstage and some available alternatives.

Smoking onstage and its alternatives

Depending on your venue, audience and local laws, producing a script that requires that characters smoke can be problematic. Where smoking is prohibited in public places it is sometimes allowed in stage performances, but audiences may still not accept it or approve. Some audience members may be sensitive to smoke, and some venues, such as schools, may not allow smoking under any circumstances.  What to do? The Geeks discuss the question of smoking onstage and some available alternatives.

Food onstage can sometimes be a challenge

Whether it's staging a family dinner or dealing with a variety of beverages, food onstage is a special class of props that has its own set of issues and potential pitfalls.  The Geeks talk about their experiences (some good, some not-so-good) with food onstage and how to reduce the problems.

Music provided by Music Alley.

Food onstage can sometimes be a challenge

Whether it's staging a family dinner or dealing with a variety of beverages, food onstage is a special class of props that has its own set of issues and potential pitfalls.  The Geeks talk about their experiences (some good, some not-so-good) with food onstage and how to reduce the problems.

Music provided by Music Alley.