Bainbridge High School  
Drama Program  
​Student Handbook

BHS Drama is a newly re-established theatre program that focuses on creating wonderful theatre productions for the community and region/state competitions. In BHS Drama, a show starts with auditions, is perfected in rehearsal, and displayed to the community in performance. 


Auditions
Preparation
When auditioning, it’s important to understand that your work starts before you enter the audition room. Come in as prepared as you can, but also be flexible to expect anything. In BHS Drama, you may experience different types of audition processes, depending on the show for which you are auditioning. 

• Your presence is required at auditions. 
  • There will be a two-week notice about audition days/times posted around school and on social media. These will occur right after school day. Please plan accordingly with job schedules, study schedules, and other obligations.
  • If there is a two-day audition process (which is normally the case), you must be present at ONE of the two days. 
  • “Virtual Auditions” will NOT be accepted. Auditions during the school day will not be scheduled. 
  • In the occurrence of individual or group “callbacks,” these will be scheduled as needed. 

• Research the show. 
  • If possible, read the play or listen to a musical recording. Make sure you know the plot, characters, and, if it’s a musical, the score. 
  • If there is audition material provided before the audition, take a look at it before getting into the room. This does not have to be memorized.
  • Come into the audition with an idea of who you’d like to audition for. While it is not promised that you will get awarded that role, or even that you will get to read for that specific role during the audition, having character decisions in mind for the audition is always a plus and may set you apart from the other actors/actresses. 
• Maintain the attitude of a winner.
  • Prepare yourself for the possibility of being cast in the role you want. Alternatively, be prepared to be cast in a role in which you are better suited, even if that role is not one you initially wanted. Unfortunately, not all students are cast for every show. If you are not cast, learn from your audition and apply that to future auditions. Winners are separated from losers by how they approach failure, not success. 
  • Winners are proud, but also humble. Winners are coachable. Winners never quit. Winners do not complain.  

**Please keep in mind that as a Bainbridge High School Drama member, you are expected to adhere to the policies of  Bainbridge High School, Decatur County Board of Education, and the Bainbridge High School Drama Department. This includes upholding behavioral and academic expectations.**


Rejection
You’ve practiced for weeks — researched the show, learned your lines, auditioned nervously. Now, the moment has arrived: The cast list is posted. You take a deep breath, step forward to scan for your name, and … nothing. You didn’t make the cut. Your heart sinks as your mind races with disappointment, embarrassment (maybe a little anger), and a thousand questions.
What went wrong? Does everyone know you failed? Who got the part instead of you — and why? How did your hard work and dedication fail to pay off?
This is a tough but critical lesson. While we would all love to hear that we absolutely nailed every audition and there is nothing we could improve, that is not reality. Reality is that the creative team probably read a lot of actors for the same part. And while some factors that knocked you out of contention are out of your control, others — namely, every acting choice you made between the time the director called “action” and “cut” — can be adjusted. Speak to your teachers and ask them to provide feedback about your audition. While many times you may simply hear “You were great,” every now and then you’ll get useful information that can inform how you approach the next audition. So much of auditioning is getting your point of view across to the creative team. Adjusting the scope and size of your choices can help you achieve better results.
 
The directors audition to maintain the quality of the show. The betterment of the program is at the forefront of the directors. The directors are professional and bring years of experience to their casting decisions. 

• Participants’ feelings and personal circumstances do not supersede the decisions made by the directors. Once casting decisions are finalized, those decisions are irreversible. 
  • For example, sending strongly worded emails or text messages to the directors will NOT change the cast list and will not be met with a response. 
• By auditioning for the show, you have agreed to accept the role you receive with enthusiasm. 
  • For example, those who sign up for football will not all get to play quarterback; however, there are other positions on the team that may be a better fit for the individual’s talents. Your efforts will help the team/cast potentially win a region or state title. 
• If you receive a role for which you did not audition, the directors took the liberty to showcase your talents in another character. As mentioned above, the quality of the show takes priority over the individual desires of the cast members. Being cast in a role for which you did not audition means your talents were definitely recognized but may not have fit the specific character you wanted. 
  • Physical attributes lend themselves to casting roles as well. Personal strengths and weaknesses are considered when making casting decisions. 
  • Seniority in the program does not guarantee a role in a show, but the teachers do consider past performance as a determining factor in casting. 
  • In the same light, the teachers also scrutinize the personal attitudes of performers, as well as their commitment to the program.  
• As a performer, learning to prioritize the quality of the show should be your focus. Having a negative attitude will deter the directors from casting you in future roles. 
  • If your dissatisfaction with your casting negatively affects your performance, this may also deter the directors from casting you in future roles and could result in being replaced by another actor/actress. 

Rehearsals
Attendance
    Within a given show rehearsal schedule, the cast will have a minimum of twelve rehearsals to put the show together, with the likelihood of there being more rehearsals scheduled as the show dates approach. 

• Cast members should be present at all rehearsals unless otherwise instructed.
  • For example, we may decide to work with a certain group only at a particular time and your presence may not be mandatory. 
• Please plan accordingly with job schedules, study schedules, and other obligations.
• You are allowed to miss THREE rehearsals for any reason.
  • Please provide an excuse for any missed rehearsal. Communication with the directors is important; we should not have to guess where you are or be told by another student. 
  • Missing rehearsal means that you will have to learn blocking/choreography/music/etc. on your own.
• Missing more than three rehearsals could result in being removed from the show. 

Attitude and Behavior
“Practice doesn’t make perfect. ‘Perfect Practice’ makes perfect.” During rehearsal, cast members should use their time on stage and backstage productively. 

• Bring your very best self to rehearsal. Treat every rehearsal as an opportunity to make your performance great. 
  • Do not expect to “turn it on” during performance time. You should practice as if you are performing.
• Do not sit idly by expecting to be told what to do by one of the directors. Run lines with other members, practice blocking/choreography/songs in small groups or individually, etc.
• Your maturity at rehearsal (talking offstage/backstage/onstage, horseplaying, etc.) will be a determining factor in future casting. “Be where you are supposed to be, when you’re supposed to be there, and do what you’re supposed to be doing.” 
  • Do not bring any unnecessary items (musical instruments, gaming consoles, etc.) to rehearsal. These are distractions from the rehearsal process. 
  • Please clean up any trash that you bring into the rehearsal space. There should be NO food backstage or onstage. Water is permitted. Food may be eaten outside of the performing space in the lobby area. 
• Be a team player. Your attitude with the directors, stage manager(s), and other performers should be respectful. 
  • Please adhere to any directive given by the directors or student stage manager.
  • Negative attitudes to the directors or stage managers will NOT be tolerated. 
  • Disrespecting student leadership will be treated the same as disrespecting the directors and could result in your dismissal from the show or program.

Initiative 
There are many moving pieces (sometimes literally) when coordinating a performance. Performance and rehearsals can go a lot smoother when cast and crew members take initiative and help when needed. This includes:

• Helping with set construction and decorating. 
• Loading and unloading props and set pieces from vehicles
• Picking up any trash or loose items, even when it doesn’t belong to you.
  • If you make a mess, clean up after yourself. For example, if you are using the paint roller, YOU must be the one to wash it out immediately after use. 
  • Ask for help if the mess needs more hands to clean.

When you are asked to do something by one of the directors or stage crew members, DO IT.

• Do not respond with an excuse or ignore the request. 
• Do not wait on others to respond or step up. Make this your responsibility. 
  • For example, if Mr. Poppell says, “hey guys, I need help moving something,” that means he is talking to YOU. Everyone in the area who can help, should help. 

By taking initiative in the things that need to be done, you are taking ownership and pride in the program. This is YOUR program; your actions and performance determine its success.
 
Learning
As mentioned above, attendance at rehearsal is mandatory. However, there is work to be done outside of rehearsal. Learning lines, songs, choreography, and blocking will be taught in rehearsal but memorizing these things should be done at home. 

• Bring a pencil or something to write with at every rehearsal while still “on-book”. You should write any blocking notes or other descriptives to help learn your part/place. This also will be helpful in remembering if there are set pieces or props to be moved. 
  • It should not be the job of the stage manager to have to remind you of your individual tasks backstage.
• After all blocking is placed on the stage, lead actors and ensemble members should begin rehearsing “off-book.”  This generally happens two weeks before show dates. 
• Do not hesitate to ask for help or direction when needed.

 



Performance
The culmination of all of our hard work comes to fruition in performance. We rehearse and prepare as much as we can, and it all boils down to this.
 
Attendance
Attendance for all show dates is  MANDATORY. Once being assigned a role, you are expected to play that role for the entirety of the show’s run. 

• “Call time” is usually an hour and half before curtain. You must be ON TIME. 
• Doors open thirty minutes before the show starts.
• Showtimes may vary based on the venue. 

Attitude
As in rehearsal, your attitude affects your performance. Bring your best attitude to every performance. The audience watching the show does not know anything about you, except for what you bring to the show.

• When backstage during a show, please be cognizant of the people around you. Everyone will be nervous and stressed; do not add to this stress. Help out where you can.
• Being prepared will relieve any anxiety you may experience. If a mistake happens, it normally is not detrimental to the entire show, unless you continue to let it affect you and your performance. The audience is rarely aware of mistakes made. This is not the time to dwell on mistakes.
• Pay attention to what’s happening on stage so that you do not miss a cue. 

 
Initiative
There are many moving pieces (sometimes literally) when coordinating a performance. Performances can go a lot smoother when cast and crew members take initiative and help when needed. This includes:

• Helping with set changes. 
• Setting and replacing props and set pieces.
• Picking up any trash or loose items, even when it doesn’t belong to you.

When you are asked to do something by one of the directors or stage crew members, DO IT.

• Do not respond with an excuse or ignore the request. 
• Do not wait on others to respond or step up. Make this your responsibility. 
  • For example, if Mr. Poppell says, “hey guys, I need help moving something,” that means he is talking to YOU. Everyone in the area who can help, should help. 
  • If you’re standing next to a set piece that you know goes on stage during a set change, and the person who normally moves this piece is not there to move it, YOU must move it. 

By taking initiative in the things that need to be done, you are taking ownership and pride in the program. This is YOUR program; your actions and performance determine its success.
 
**For One-Act Play competition, all of the above criteria applies, and all students must be academically eligible to participate. When off-campus competing, please be on your best behavior. You are representing BHS Drama and yourself. 
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In order to maintain the integrity of Bainbridge High School Drama and its productions, please bring your very best to auditions, rehearsals, and performances.


 
 
 
May 2021