What We Do - Working in the Theatre
by Bo Metzler


"What We Do..." is a NEW theatre book for everyone with an interest in theatre.

"What We Do..." is the perfect gift for all of the non-theatre friends and family of theatre people (so they can begin to understand the strange career and dedicated life of a theatre person)

"What We Do..." will even give theatre people a better understanding of the career they've chosen.

and...Attention theatre professors!!

"What We Do..." is an ideal resource book for theatre students who are focused on a professional theatre career.

"What We Do..." is a general, insider's, behind-the-scenes exploration of the who, what and where of theatre life in New York. It explores where plays come from and how they get produced; describes the kinds of people who work in the theatre, and a little of what they do; and explains how directors, stage managers and actors, etc. look for work, keep their jobs and what they do when they are out of work. "What We Do..." also looks at the different types of theaters and theatre companies, and explains the similar and contrasting features that make all theatre the same — yet different. It even outlines a typical audition situation; looks at an average rehearsal day; and observes a load-in and a work call all from the point-of-view of someone who has actually worked in all areas of the theatre.

Bo Metzler has spent nearly 40 years living this book. He worked as an actor, scenery builder, prop man, lighting tech, stage manager, publicity director, writer and director on 40+ shows in educational, community and regional theatre in Ohio.

In New York, spanning 32 years, he worked Off-Off & Off Broadway, in T.V., Dinner Theatre, Stock, on tour in every state and nine different countries, as well as on rock concerts and many special events. As a member of 3 labor Unions he worked as either an actor, stage manager, dresser, prop man, electrician, or carpenter on 30+ Broadway shows including ”La Cage,” “Cats,” “Phantom,” “Les Miserables,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” “42nd Street,” “Sweet Smell of Success” and “The Lion King.”

He has also produced and designed for a modern dance company, and is the author of a play about the Lincolns entitled: “Abraham and Mary." “Such a breadth of experience is unusual and Mr. Metzler decided to set his knowledge down in a book. The result is a sort of layman's guide to how things get done in the professional theatre. Metzler writes in a pleasant, conversational style and What We Do is a quick and entertaining read. He often uses examples from his own career to illustrate points, and conveys a real sense of what it means to survive in professional theatre if you don't become a headliner. What We Do will also be useful for high school and college students considering theatre as a career...” talkinbroadway.com

What's inside . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE PRESHOW
(Preface) – v

THE PROGRAM
(Table of Contents) – xiii

THE PROLOGUE
(Introduction) – 1

ACT I: WHO AND WHAT - 7

Scene 1: THE WRITER – 9
Where it all begins – 10
The Composer / Lyricist – 14

Scene 2: THE PRODUCER – 17
Characteristics of a Producer – 18
The Option – 21
Capitalization – 22
Finding Investors – 24
Production Staff – 25
Into Production – 28

Scene 3: THE DIRECTOR – 31
No easy task – 33
Pre-production – 34
Casting – 36
Rehearsals – 37
After Opening Night –39
The Choreographer – 40

Scene 4: THE STAGE MANAGER – 43
The Hub of the Wheel – 44
Pre-production – 45
Rehearsals – 46
Tech Rehearsals – 48
Running the Show – 49
After Closing Night – 50

Scene 5: THE DESIGNERS – 53
The Scenic Designer – 54
The Lighting Designer – 59
The Costume Designer – 61
Other Designers – 65

Scene 6: THE ACTOR – 69
Who is the Actor? – 69
How does the Actor act? – 70
The Acting Challenge – 72
The Typical Struggling Actor – 74
Actors Equity Association: Rules and Contracts – 78

Scene 7: THE CREW – 83
Who are they? – 83
Shops – 86
Load-in – 88
Running Crews – 91
Work Calls and Rehearsals – 94
Load-out – 95

Scene 8: THE SHOW – 97
Pre-production – 97
In Production – 99
Rehearsals: The First Day – 101
Rehearsals: The Grind – 104
Rehearsals: Tech – 109
Previews – 112
Opening Night – 114
The Critics – 116
A Flop – 121
The Gamblers and the Sad Tales – 123
A Hit – 125
The Working Actor’s Routine - 8 shows a week – 128

INTERMISSION – 133

ACT II: WHERE AND HOW - 135

Scene 1: WHERE IT'S AT – 137
Broadway – 137
The National Tour – 140
Bus and Truck – 142
Off Broadway – 143
Off-Off Broadway – 146
Other theatre – 151

Scene 2: HOW TO GET IT – 155
The P&R – 156
The Trades – 159
The Interview – 161
Auditions – 165
The Chorus Call – 168
Agents and Managers – 170
Directors – Designers – Stage Managers – 171
Indirect Methods – 174

Scene 3: WAITING – 177
Training – 177
Survival Jobs – 180

THE EPILOGUE – 183
Why

CURTAIN CALL – 187
The people who helped – 187
Special Thanks – 192

GLOSSARY – 195