A moral issue

[Big Mikey]

At the end of the day, when all the window dressing is stripped away, we are what we say and do. Forget the possesions, the measure of a man or woman is their beliefs, principles, tenets or what-have-you, and how that person reacts when those beliefs are challenged. You made the right choice in living up to the commitment you made, how you explain your reasons will define who you are.

Best of luck with the performance.

[Pour1Malt]

as yin wha worked in professional theatre fur 20 years...

ai think


the show must gae oan!

Hamie is richt!... he's nay richt aften, but he's richt this time...

an' yur choice tae no lie aboot Kate a' rehearsals is richt tae!

lies like that ainly come back tae bite ya oan the bum....

[acstoon]

I believe you can let the "show go on" & retain your integrity.
Adding Kate to join the cast will help solve your immediate production issue... we all must work with the tools at hand. As director, you would be making best use of the resources available.

As far as questions regarding Kate being in the show... it's not a matter of your integrity. You did not create the situation; you were placed in it. There is no reason you must take the heat for others.

If asked, tell the truth. The truth not only exhonerates you, but also boltsters Kate's character, for stepping up to the plate in a pinch. Win Win.

(I, unfortunately, work for a company to whom integrity is often secondary. I refuse to play their games. Because of this, I've been passed up many times, but at the end of the day... I've still got my integrity & dignity... and I sleep well, at night.)

[adam]

My own opinion is this: The group made a commitment to the festival. The group needs to be there. You had people jump ship, and as leader you needed to fill the spots and fulfill the commitment.

"Kate" was your best choice. She was not in any rehearsals, but she was experienced in the show. It may not be a perfect solution, but it was the best compared to having some others perform completely cold, instead of just microwaved.

There is no morale issue here. You made the best possible choice for the group. Someone that has experience instead of practice for this particular performance. Tell the people that will be upset that the ones that bailed on you were a poor choice, one that will not be made again. Everyone is as happy as possible.

Good luck with the show!

[davedove]

You made a management decision. There's nothing wrong with your decision, and considering the situation, it was probably your best choice.

Don't lie about it though. You did nothing wrong.

[Moosedog]

Ditto. The show must go on, as especially as your remaining cast has no problem with your including "Kate," so be it.

But as others have reinforced, don't lie about it either. There is nothing wrong with your making a difficult decision: you included the input of your committed cast and kept your obligations to the festival. Good show!

Moosedog

[Streetcar]

Thanks all!

Yes, I agree that "The Show Must Go On." Recasting Kate wasn't the issue that was bothering me. I'm truly happy to have her return.

What gave me pause was the completely serious suggestion of "Well, just lie and say that she was here!"

My cast members looked at me like I was crazy for not being willing to give such a casual lie.

That's what I'm contemplating. Has lying become so commonplace? Does a person's word no longer count for anything? Or do I just have the Stick of Self-Righteousness shoved too far up my kilt?

[Peter C.]

I agree with what most people have said. The only difference for me is I would not have allowed morals to come into a decission like that. I would have just emailed everybody telling them that I had been let down and that the only quick fix for the show was to cast Kate at the last minute and thank them for their understanding.

Peter

[Oldhiker]

If Kate is good and this is an Improv group and she will shine. Just clarify why you are bending your original "rule" and say the "Show must go on". That way you can keep your original position yet deliver a quality show. You are just "Improving" the managerial stuff.

Good luck

[Archangel]

There are those who would say that acting is lying anyway. My mother is an actress and I grew up with the principle that the show goes on and that's that.

Kate's done it before, others defaulted. You can tell the truth because you did what it took to have the show go on.

Stage rules are for when thing go according to plan, and Murphy makes the plans.