Cheat-Out, Louise!
Beneath the Upper Room can be successfully presented by veteran professional actors-- and just as successfully with amateur never-been-onstage-before actors.
Kevin M Reese had this in mind as he was writing the play. Having the women gravitate around the three tables gives plenty of opportunity for hidden cheat-sheets.
Of course, ideally, your actors have had plenty of rehearsal and know all their lines-- but sometimes things happen.
Perhaps you had to replace an actor at the last minute or maybe you have the "perfect" woman to play a part, but her memory isn't what it used to be.
It's easy to rely on your audience's Willing Suspension of Dis-belief.
Below you will find some tips for helping
fulfill the old adage: "The Show Must Go On."
If you have some to add to this list that you'd like to share, please
Click HERE to email your suggestions! and we may include them (with a shout-out to you!)
SCRIPT ONSTAGE - Oh, dear-- this is a LAST RESORT. Don't use this unless it's an emergency-- such as a last-minute replacement.
The last thing you ever want the audience to see (unless it's Readers Theatre, of course) is someone reading from a script during a performance.
But sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
4X5 CARDS - These can easily hidden in costumes, on set pieces
or props, and even in the palm of an actor's hand.
Ideally the actor just needs to put hint words-- not whole sentences on the cards.
CHEAT-SHEET - Quite a few of the women are at the same station for most of the show.
They could easily place a sheet of paper (same color as the top of the table so it blends in)on the table near their station.
If they move, just have them place another page at their next location. Again, we don't want them reading from the paper, but having them nearby can give
inexperienced actors some confidence.
CUE CARDS - Many sanctuaries have modesty walls-- a short wall going across the front of the first row of pews. You could easily place a poster-size sheet of paper
on the front side that only your actors can see. This might be particularly helpful for your Peter or Judas as they are delivering
their final monologues.
Keep them up front until it's time for them to run out.
PROMPTER - Place your Stage Manager in the front row with a
script. If/when an actor forgets a line, the prompter can subtly
feed them the line. It is much better to have someone feed them a
line than to have 30 seconds of agonizing silence while the actor
recalls the line.
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© 2011, Kevin M Reese. All Rights Reserved.
