posted
Last night was the first rehearsal with the Tech (lights, sound effects, etc) Apparently, the Director has decided to use a strobe light in the scene I am in. Many of you know of my seizure condition. My seizures are photo sensitive. Now I find myself in the untenable situation, 3 days before opening night, that I will be facing a situation where I will most likely have a seizure (8 performance nights out of 10), or at the very least, be put down with a migraine (again, photo sensitive. The director was aware of my condition from the get-go.) I'm supposed to talk with the director tonight before rehearsal about the strobe, but I was told last night, as I was leaving by the assistant director that the strobe WILL be in my scene.
I have put my heart and soul into this. Didn't matter that my part as small. (5 lines? except for the chorus parts). But anyway, I find myself in a quandry as to what to do if he insists on the strobe light. I can almost guarantee I will have a seizure during at least one performance. Possibly even out on stage. This would not only be an embarassment to myself but to my fellow cast members as well. I don't feel like I can pull stakes and drop out this close to production. I'm too close to this to think clearly. I need some thoughts. Please?
posted
BookWyrm, there's no question about it: you have to tell the director about your problem. If he has forgotten it, I think he'll agree not to use the strobe light. Tell him you CANNOT perform in those conditions. And if he doesn't want to understand, I think it's better for you to give up. I know it's hard to do such a thing, but, as you said yourself, an eventual seizure would embarrass the other cast members as well.
Hope it works out fine.
Posts: 4519 | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for the answer Corwin. Unfortunately, he was aware of the problem last night before I said anything. I was informed after rehearsal last night that the strobe WILL be used in the scene...
posted
I'm not sure how dangerous the seizures are for you, so I'll leave that aspect out of it. Assuming you're not putting yourself at risk, Just decide based on your embarassment level. I bet the cast would support you in this. This was a known condition, and if the director insists on putting in the strobe, then assume the director's OK with you seizing.
I've never seen a play improved by a strobe, especially with the likelihood of at least one audience member with your condition.
Of course, if this places you at risk at all, try to get the cast on your side and change the director's mind, but you'll have to bow out. But I'd report this to the director's superiors, whomever they might be, after the play. This is a huge concern that not enough people know about.
Dagonee *rude* the director.
Edit: Just saw your post. *double-rude* the director.
posted
If you aren't eager to inform more people about your situation, you may just get a letter. Something signed by a doctor might be even better. If it is certain to cause you seizure and migraine, you have to conclude that the director either doesn't understand this or that he wants you off the production.
I don't know how you could go about this, but giving him a document for him (I assume it's a man) to sign acknowledging that he has been told of your condition and assumes responsibility for deliberately exposing you to triggering conditions might get his attention. I'm sure you are trying to handle this in a respectful and professional manner and the message might just not be getting through.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Unbelievable that a director who knew about your problem in advance would put a silly tech decision above the hard work, commitment and performance of someone who has been a faithful memeber of the cast. Is this a school or community production? I'd certainly try and reason with the director again, but if you how no choice but to drop out -- you lose nothing by discussing the situation with whoever hired or approved the director. Because no matter what, you should never work with this person again.
Posts: 780 | Registered: Jul 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Heh, the directors wife is THE Boss. Don't think I'll get much from that end. Its a community based Arts Center.
As far as my seizures go, they are Complex Partial Absence Seizures. Means basically that I'm awake, but no ones home. I am still functional to a certain extent i.e. I will walk, move around etc. It would appear that I am drunk. I can be lead to a place and be made to sit. After the seizure I usually sleep for at least 8 hours and am 'hungover' for he next 24 to 36 hours. My migraines can last anywhere to a few hours to several days. Anyone that has migraines knows how excrutiating those are and how dibilitaing they are.
The possible danger is mainly to myself in that I could walk off the stage and into the orchestra pit. A drop of about 8 feet. The danger to others would be aforementioned orchestra. I fall on them its gonna hurt someone.
Posts: 986 | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think the ADA would have some severe things to say about this. In fact, if the boss knew and the director knew about your condition and still made decisions that could seriously and adversely effect your health, I would think they would be in danger of a significant lawsuit. I am not saying "sue the jerks!" because I hate lawsuits. On the other hand, threats of lawsuits are sometimes the only thing that wakes people up.
They knew about your seizure disorder before the decision to include strobe lights in the show? Did you know strobe lights would be in the show before you auditioned? Before you accepted the role? Before tech night? If you did, then you also are responsible for the choice you made but if you didn't and the director knew about the seizure disorder, then they are totally responsible.
They are responsible to make reasonable accomodations for your condition. This means a) they don't use them when you are on stage or b) you aren't on stage when they use them. I don't see much middle ground.
I hate myopic theatre directors who never see past their "vision" of a show to take into account what is going on around them. Ugh. Best of luck. I would say "break a leg" but gads...if the strobes hit, you just might!
posted
If he has such complete disregard for your health and safety, what does this goofball think about the audience's? There may be quite a few ill people after the performance.
I agree with Kristine...don't ever work with them again. As far as this play, it's up to you whether you participate or not, but if you have a seizure on the first night, you're going to be pretty miserable the whole time. I'd give it to them in writing that you cannot perform with a strobe. Then do the play to see if they really would use the strobe knowing it would hurt you. If they used it, then I'd drop out, and make sure lots of people knew why.
posted
I know this from as a former employer, and we were too small for it to apply - I haven't studied it. It sounds like it's all volunteer, so the employment rules probably don't apply, and allowing access for participating in performances might not be "public accomodation," so that aspect of the law may not apply. Talking with a lawyer would be necessary.
The hiring of actors is usually a pretty good defense from employment equal opportunity laws, because the requirements can almost always be written to "require" the person being cast. Artistic license goes a long way.
Since this is community theater, a lawsuit will probably generate sympathy for the theater. I think a public relations tact will be more successful.
I wouldn't donate to them, nor attend any of their shows, until they promised to fix this policy. I'm sure lots of people feel the same.
At the very least, if strobes are a must, they should decide that before casting and having someone dedicate weeks to the rehearsals. We knew to check with the cast about possible strobe problems when I did lights in high school; this isn't new.
posted
The ADA is the ideal, but in my experience, they wont do anything about it. I assume this production has fewer paid employees than are required for ADA to apply anyway. But when I filed a claim against my employer, they said basically, sorry, we only go for the high dollar amount, high media profile cases and that I should go ahead and sue them in court myself.
posted
Using the "what about the audience" tact won't work, either. I could see the director forgetting this, but usually a play that has strobes will post in very bold letters out front a warning about this. The audience can then make the choice whether or not to attend the performance.
Sounds like the public relations angle is the best way to go. The simplest thing to do would be to walk away. That would send a clear message and would leave the director with a difficult job in filling your role during tech week. I love theatre and have acted in lots of shows, even if I don't completely agree with the director...just because it is so fun. But putting yourself at risk for a community theatre production isn't worth it. If you got one role, you will get others.
As you leave, make sure everyone knows why you are leaving. Find out who the Board is for the theatre. They need to know. The folks who are on the Board of the theatre tend to be the ones who donate the most money and have the biggest community connections. They would be silly not to take notice of this.
They knew of my condition before I was assigned the part. I even put it on my 'application' I beileve my exact words were "I have a seizure disorder. I can explain better in person as space on this form is limited.
I didn't know there were going to be strobes used in the production until my cue to come onstage last night. No one said anything about strobes at all period. During auditions, during chorus rehearsals, during line rehearsals.... it was never mentioned even last night until AFTER the rehearsal as I was leaving. And I was informed that the strobe WILL be in the scene.
Either way I go I'm gonna get screwed. If I carry on like a good little trouper, I put myself and possibly others in some form of jeapordy. If I drop out, I'll never be accepted in any other community based theater again regardless of which theater it is, (Walton Arts Center, Rogers Theater etc) because word will be that I dropped out 3 days before production. Never mind the fact I was forced out. The onus will be on me and *I* will be the one that looks bad and is unreliable.
It sux to be me sometimes......
Posts: 986 | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
fil, it's not a liability issue with the audience, is more about purposefully limiting the audience of a community theater group with unneeded effects. Why would they do that?
posted
Well, I can suggest a marginally different approach.
Address the director, spell out your complications and ask him what he'd like to happen:
"Dear Rude Director,
I warned you that I am prone to seizures which are often triggered by strobe effects. As you insist on using a strobe light in several scenes, would you rather I remove myself from the production or do you want to risk my having a seizure on stage?"
Although I might skip the "rude director" part, let him make the decision and then run with it.
That's the only way I can think of to let you escape on good terms with any other community and amateur theatre groups.
posted
I think someone else mentioned it, but I'm still struggling over waking up this morning. If this is a community-based theatre, and you're not likely to get satisfaction from the director or his wife, what about the other board members of the theatre?
Don't threaten retaliation. Just calmly explain the situation, both in terms of the impact of a strobe to your own health, and the likelihood of audience members also being negatively impacted by the strobe. If they don't see fit to remove it, then please seriously consider not performing in this show. Losing the best part of a day due to the after-effects of the seizure seems a high price to pay to take part in this play, and if the result is "just a migraine," you've lost several days.
Also, is there a possibility that a different color of light could be used? Does blue flashing light have the same effect? Don't experiment to determine if you don't know, but maybe there's a solution that leaves a light effect, but just not a strobe.
posted
Dag, some shows just require strobe effects. I think play choices will have more of an impact on audience sizes than strobe effects. Strobe effects don't even have to be what we think of as "strobe," either. Rapidly changing colored lights vs. the flashy kind of disco lighting sometimes gets listed as strobe. Theatres also typically hang a note in the lobby if there are going to be loud sounds, as well (usually gun shots, etc.). Strobe effects can be very, very cool when used in the right way. Sure, not everyone is going to be able to view it but it doesn't mean you shouldn't do them. You just have to let people know. And this director is a ninny for not letting the cast know from day one. I wouldn't be surprised if this theatre didn't make note of it at performances, too (though I bet they will now when they get the "dear rude director" letter... ).
Seriously, what a sucky situation. I hope the director gets some "smarts" and decides not to use strobe lights. Is there anybody "higher up" you can bring this to? (I know my community theater has an group of people taht call the money shots, etc).
Posts: 944 | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Unfortunately, I'm not an expert on applying the ADA in all situations - not by a longshot. I'll see if I can get a read on this from someone who is focussed more fully on the ADA than I am. Even if there is a case to be made under the ADA, both the right and left aren't real sympathetic to having the ADA trump "artistic freedom."
I'd look at the idea of that letter, but I'd focus on the issue of how you were put in this position after investing a large amount of time, energy and emotional commitment to this production. Highlight the fact that if you'd been told this at the outset, you could have made a choice then and there as to take the role and the consequences, or to opt out.
Instead, they sprung this on you so you are forced to either give up participation in something you've invested so much time in or to take these consequences.
I think if this kind of thing became public, it could be very damaging. Organizations like this depend on their volunteers - showing this kind of total disrespect for you is something that by extension could happen to anyone. And maybe that should be the close to the letter. That the director is showing that he does not respect or value the contributions of his volunteers.
Posts: 4344 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
By the way, it's very important to give the theater a chance to respond before actually going public. This enhances your credibility by making it clear you care about the theater company as a whole, not just your part. It also makes them more willing to do something - once it's out in public, a lot of the damage is done. Avoiding that damage entirely is worth an awful lot more to them than any damage control would be. Make sure you hold onto that coin for as long as possible.
posted
BookWyrm, I'm sorry you have to go through this.
I directed and stage managed shows at a community theater in high school and it was the theater policy not to use strobe lights. One of the school shows that I called did have a very brief strobe cue (it was set in the future and supposed to be campy). Before we designed the light cues, we asked the cast and crew if anyone had a siezure disorder. If anyone had, we would have cut the strobe, no question. We also put signs in the lobby and an insert in the programs informing the audience that there would be a strobe light used. We gave them the exact scene so that they could enjoy the rest of the show.
It seems odd to me that they are having the first rehearsal with tech 3 days before the show. I've never had a tech rehearsal less than 3 weeks before opening night! It makes me nervous just thinking about it.
I don't think that the ADA is the way to go here - by the time you filed a complaint and it was processed, the show will be long over. I'm going to second the advice of others. First, go to the director and ask him if he'd rather you have a siezure onstage or drop out of the show. Could it be possible that he doesn't understand that you will have a siezure during the show? I know that I was beyond frazzled 3 days before opening night and thoroughly sick of all the (unreasonable, in my mind) demands of the cast and crew - those stupid actors and tech people were always wanting breaks so that they could do silly things like eat and sleep. Maybe if you just calmly speak with him, he'll realize that you have a valid concern that he needs to address.
If that is not the case, I second the idea of sending a letter to the local papers. And you're worried about being blackballed, perhaps you could send pre-emptive letters to the other theaters, explaining the situation. Hopefully, they'll be more sympathetic.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I second talking with the director and making him decide what should be done. That way either he fires you 3 days out, which would be a pain, but may save your reputation, or he becomes responsible for your safety.
I would over emphasis the effects of your seizure if you haven't explained them to him yet. He sounds like the uncaring type who wouldn't worry about your migraines, but would be upset to see you collapsing on his stage.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
As others have said, make sure that it is the director who makes the final decision as to whether you stay in the production or not. He is the one who decided to use a strobe knowing your senstivity, so it is his responsibility. That should limit repercussions in getting cast in future productions, at least partially. You can then truthfully say that it was not your decision to leave, and that the director made the decision to use a strobe knowing that it would potentially cause you to have to leave.
quote:It seems odd to me that they are having the first rehearsal with tech 3 days before the show. I've never had a tech rehearsal less than 3 weeks before opening night! It makes me nervous just thinking about it.
Really? I've never worked on a production that had tech rehearsal that early. I think maybe a week before the first performance was the earliest. When I do props for the ballet, we never have tech rehearsal until a couple of days before opening night. Typical schedule is tech on Wednesday night, dress on Thursday night, and opening night on Friday...and in the case of "The Nutcracker", it's dress on Thursday night, opening on Friday morning for the school show. Of course, that has a lot to do with the fact that we never have the theatre until then, and that the guest dancers (we are a semi-professional company that has professional guest dancers from out of town in each production) often don't arrive until then. Still, everything always comes together just fine.
quote: It seems odd to me that they are having the first rehearsal with tech 3 days before the show.
Ha ha ha ha ha! (This is a common occurence where I come from...)
There is not such thing as a 'necessary' strobe light- an on-off, certainly, but rapid flashing? Your directer is beyond rude, he's downright offensive. This a community theatre, not a professional company, if he has to re-think the lighting cues it's not a big deal and not a big loss. In fact, it might even be an improvement. You need to get the other members of the cast and the other members of the theatre board on your side. This is a clean-cut issue; you are most definately in the right.
posted
I won't attempt advice, since you've already gots loads of it that's great. Sorry for this situation; the director is a jerk who obviously doesn't understand anything about seizures.
Talk to the Director this evening. First off, he apologized for springing the strobe on me without warning. They also repositioned the light and will not turn it on until I have gone Upstage of where the light will be positioned. The strobe is in to emulate lightening. We still need to tweak the placement of the strobe somewhat but it seems that he is trying to work things out.
Posts: 986 | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I want to thank all of you for your support and kind words. With the information I had on hand yesterday, I was greatly concerned about how things looked to be turning. As it happens, everythng is working out.
posted
See? I guess he wasn't so unreasonable after all...
Book, I'm glad that it seems to be working out better for you now. I hope you have fun during the run of the show, and that it is all worth it for you.
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Strobe effects don't even have to be what we think of as "strobe," either. Rapidly changing colored lights vs. the flashy kind of disco lighting sometimes gets listed as strobe. Theatres also typically hang a note in the lobby if there are going to be loud sounds, as well (usually gun shots, etc.). Strobe effects can be very, very cool when used in the right way. Sure, not everyone is going to be able to view it but it doesn't mean you shouldn't do them. You just have to let people know. And this director is a ninny for not letting the cast know from day one. I wouldn't be surprised if this theatre didn't make note of it at performances, too (though I bet they will now when they get the "dear rude director" letter... ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
).![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[The Wave]](graemlins/thewave.gif)
