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On Praise

Submitted by Dusty Muffin on August 8, 2008 - 12:21
in

I lost my temper last night.

An actor berated me for being hard on him; constantly criticising, never praising. So I said shouted, “It’s not ALL about YOU! Bloody Prima Donna.”

He always asks me what he did wrong during a rehearsal. So I always tell him. I also tell him the things he does well, but he never hears those words.

Then I realised that I’ve been there myself. So desperate for a director’s approval that no praise is high enough, and the slightest suggestion for improvement cuts deep.

I’m afraid it will be the same next time too.

Comments

So, Muffin

Submitted by dex on August 9, 2008 - 10:06.

how did it go?

Just great!

Submitted by Dusty Muffin on August 9, 2008 - 12:07.

Everyone did their absolute best, the audience enjoyed it and we all had warm fuzzies and big smiles!

Crits out from Monday will tell us the Real Truth...

Dusty

Submitted by Semisweet on August 8, 2008 - 14:53.

Good luck for tonight.

Thanks sems

Submitted by Dusty Muffin on August 8, 2008 - 15:01.

All feels a bit unreal at the moment!

Good luck Dust!

Submitted by Arrthymia on August 8, 2008 - 17:03.

Have fun tonite. Don't stress!
I'd ask you to break something but you might take me seriously.

Hahaa Dust

Submitted by Arrthymia on August 8, 2008 - 12:47.

I can just see Drill Sgt Dusty Muff keeping the cast in order.

PS: You need to email me details of play venue etc.
ASAP missy!
Don't make me ask you again!... director lady ... erm... mamn...Sir? .. erm Colonel?

Sir will be fine.

Submitted by Dusty Muffin on August 8, 2008 - 12:56.

err...what will be the same next time Dust?

Submitted by Arbchick on August 8, 2008 - 12:31.

confused over here.

Arbie

Submitted by Dusty Muffin on August 8, 2008 - 12:42.

It means that 100 words was not enough to explain myself properly!

Basically, I crapped on him for something that I do myself. Even though I know it is a shortcoming, I will probably have the same need for excessive praise next time I am on stage.

And that makes me the Prima Donna, not him.

er...

Submitted by marijayn on August 9, 2008 - 11:03.

i think i got it?
next time you work with an insecure and prima donna actor, you'll handle a similar situation in the same way...
and so you should - they have to grow up!
i don't think you should end up feeling bad, here dusts, maybe you could have had the same effect without actually losing your temper but you're the one with the bigger job to do and pandering to insecurities isn't really part of it.

Nah mj

Submitted by Dusty Muffin on August 9, 2008 - 12:14.

Next time, I'll give him the stroking he needs to get a better performance out of him.

I will try to remember not to demand the same sort of praise fram a director when I am the actor.

In theatre, pandering to insecurities is the best (sometimes only) way to avoid someone walking out. Especially if they are very good and irreplaceable.

And I will not lose my temper again. I believe that by losing my temper, I lose control of the situation. And I will not hand my control over to a temeramental git.