Below is an email I sent to my actors - The past few weeks have been filled with them doing a poor poor job and some of them just blowing the show off! So, I have a show on Tuesday and last night I get an email from two of the little darlings saying that they will not be there. Excuse me?
See, I had a show on Friday, and I can't drive yet because my van is still being built - so, I needed picked up but the actor who picked me up is not from around here and got completely lost and we were late. And they are throwing this in my face.
These are the same people that have just not shown up at SHOWS! Leaving me to scramble to find someone to fill in for them minutes before we start.
Anyway - I can't take anymore and this is what I sent them. I'm done being a "nice boss".
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Well....
Why am I not surprised? Here it is, Sunday night and I have two cast members
telling me that they refuse to show up at a show. Don't have the guts to
call - but send me an email.
You ask me questions like why do I blame things on actors? Well, here you
go - because this is the shit I put up with. I don't respect you?? Do I not
try to be a nice guy? Do I not try to do the best I can in paying you for
your time? Do I not try and not jump to conclusions when you miss rehearsals
or just don't show up or don't know lines???
Look, in case you haven't noticed - I can't drive. When we have anything at
the Green Room (which I can get to on my own using the T) I'm ALWAYS THERE
EARLY. I'm sorry that I was late on Friday - but it was both not my fault
and out of my hands. What did you want me to do? Fly there on my new wings
I've just sprouted? What else could I have done? I had arranged to be picked
up and been there earlier but that didn't happen.
As far as the audience on Friday - I didn’t accept payment, if it's any of
your business. AND I gave all of them and anyone they bring with them $10.00
off any show they want to see (Which is my cut of the price). I was unaware
that I had to fill you in on my business practices. I don't make an effort
to flaunt my “good deeds" and rightful decisions. Does it make you feel
better that I didn't charge them? I know the show was shit - that's why I
did that. So, first of all - mind your own business.
As far as treating you, the actors, with respect...I think I remember
several occasions that I have complemented all of you. I verbally said I was
sorry to you when I finally got there. Katie - did I not give you extra pay
when you filled in for Kelly when she did not show up? Did I not tell you
like a hundred times how thankful I was to you? Kelly - was I not
understanding when you told me you just forgot about the show? All of you,
do I not compliment you on your acting? Do I not try to work around your
schedules? Do I not do my best to try and have rehearsals at Gaetano's where
you don't have to pay to park? Is that not me thinking of you and respecting
you? For it's much much easier for me to get to the Green Room. Do I not
have a schedule that doesn't take up much of your time? Do you respect me by
knowing your lines? Some of you, yes. Others....not so much.
I want to know why none of you had the guts to say these things to my face.
I want to know why you all acted like everything was fine and you
understood. Tell me that. Why wait until two days before the fuckin' show
that you are not going to be there!
Don't you see - THIS is the bullshit I'm dealing with - THIS is what is
causing the problems that make it look like I don't know what the fuck I'm
doing - I'm not saying that I have never made a mistake, that I have no
faults but come the fuck on!!!
Keep in mind that this is “just business" - You have all made a verbal
commitment to me that you would perform on Tuesday - And I expect you to be
there and do the show. I will be there at 11:00 to set up because they have
a meeting in that room and I will be unable to do it after. If you are not
there - you will not be paid for Friday's show (The one I lost money on
because I didn't charge them...) and I will sue you to the farthest extent
of the law - should you put me in that position.
Sorry - it's just business.
If I don't hear from you by 12:00 on Monday, I will call you for your answer.
Keep in mind that I have the emails stating that you would do the show as
well as other actors that have heard you talk about doing it.
Look, I don't give one fuckin' care if you ever do a show for me again but
you WILL do Tuesdays show because you already committed to it. Show up, shut
up, do the show, act like we are all friends, get paid - go the hell home
and never speak to me for all I care. You say I'm not professional -
a “Professional" wouldn't walk on a show that they said they would perform.
I'm not going to take this any longer. I've reached my boiling point.
C-
