Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the RC Players?
2. How do I join?
3. How do I become a board member?
4. If I become a board member, am I required to be an officer?
5. I like to act, when are auditions?
6. I like teching, how can I help?
7. I've found something I want to direct, what do I do?
8. I have prior directing experience elsewhere, does that count?
9. I wrote something, how do I get it performed?
10. What's Evening of Scenes?
11. When are you guys doing Kamikaze Theatre again?

1. Who are the RC Players?
   
   
   RC Players is a student-run theatre group housed in East Quad, courtesy of the Residential College at The University of Michigan. The group presents several productions each semester including An Evening of Scenes at the beginning of the Fall and Winter Terms.
   
   
   
2. How do I join?
   
   
   There are a number of ways in which you can join. Most common is acting, but we take all types of theatre enthusiasts: techies, directors, writers, board members, officers, etc. The important thing to realize is that you don't have to be a member of the Residential College to participate!
   
   
   
3. How do I become a board member?
   
   
   It's quite simple really. Every week (or every other week, depending on the amount of business that's needed to get done) we have a board meeting. This term (Winter 2004) it's Thursdays @ 9pm (sharp, not Michigan time) in A03. All you have to do is show up and contribute and you can be part of the decision- making process.
   
   
   
4. If I become a board member, am I required to be an officer?
   
   
   Not at all. The level of commitment is up to you and we don't have too many permanent officer positions to fill. The regular positions filled by board members are: Treasurer, Webmaster(s), Email Correspondent, Publicity Coordinator. We do not have a president, since we like to operate on an organic basis, that is to say everyone has an equal amount of input and no one person has more power than anybody else. There are several voluntary positions that are filled on a need basis, like Taskmaster, which is basically a secretary to take notes and facilitate each board meeting; Bulletin Board Masters, which maintains our lovely bulletin board by the RC Auditorium; Liaison, which is a board member assigned to each production to keep the board apprised of the progress of the production and vice-versa; and lastly, several EOS Producers, which organize and stage manage each Evening of Scenes.
   
   
   
5. I like to act, when are auditions?
   
   
   Ahh, one of those actor types. Okay, we usually have quite a few auditions each term and announce them after we've selected plays and their directors have set times. As soon as directors have picked out times to audition, this information becomes available on the RCP Bulletin Board (by the Auditorium) and are usually posted online at this website as well. Just keep checking back regularly, but the most common way to find out about auditions is through email to the RCP email list.
   
   
   
6. I like teching, how can I help?
   
   
   There are lots of ways. We can always use help backstage, in set construction and design, prop-gathering, costuming, stage-managing, etc. Just email the board you'll get added to our (email) tech list and you'll be the first to hear about any opportunities to help any of our productions. No prior experience is necessary.
   
   
   
7. I've found something to direct, what do I do?
   
   
   Fabulous. Each term we select a number of full length (or one-acts) shows to produce depending on how many weekends we have available in the RC Auditorium. At the beginning and end of each term these dates will be announced along with a deadline to turn in Proposals. If you have a short scene, you can propose it at the start of each term for Evening of Scenes. However, if you want to direct a full-length show, we usually demand that you apprentice with a current full-length to get the proper experience necessary and become acclimated with RCP resources.
   
   
   
8. I have prior directing experience elsewhere, does that count?
   
   
   Usually. The more experience you have with bigger and more demanding productions, the better off you are. When we select proposals, those with more experience handling bigger productions have a better shot of being chosen. As long as you demonstrate this knowledge (in your proposal) then you'll have a fair shot at being selectd. If you're unsure, just ask, but we do try to arrange alternatives to apprenticing like director workshops and you should also check out the Director Resources to see what it encompasses to be an RCP Director.
   
   
   
9. I wrote something, how do I get it performed?
   
   
   Fantastic question; there's several possibilities. First, if it's a short scene (no longer than 10 minutes) then submit it to Evening of Scenes and you can direct it (also a great opportunity to gain directing experience)!! Secondly, if it's longer, like a one-act or full-length production, than you can propose it for the open slots we have each term. If you don't have prior directing experience of large productions, it may be best to solicit a director by emailing the RCP Board and we can help you find one; or, you can apprentice with other productions to gain the experience you need to direct your show - either way is acceptable, in fact, we encourage both!!
   
   
   
10. What is Evening of Scenes?
    
    
    Evening of Scenes is the first production we put on each semester. It's a collection of short scenes written and directed by a variety of people. This is a great way to get your feet wet, either as an actor, director or writer. We especially love student-written scenes, but pre-published scenes are fine as well. Anybody can be a director for this, there's no experience necessary, but if you need help, just consult one of your Producers and they'll help you out. There's generally a lower level of committment, since each group is preparing a 5-10 minute scene so rehearsal time is light, but with a regular tech week the week of the performances. Oh yea, even if you don't get cast ('cuz we usually get more people auditioning than we have parts for), we highly encourage you to see it, because admission is FREE!!!!!!
    
    
    
11. When are you guys doing Kamikaze Theatre again?
    
    
    Great question. First of all, for those of you who have no idea what Kamikaze Theatre is, here's a quick synopsis. Basically, Kamikaze Theatre involves 24 people putting on a production over the span of 24 hours and then performing it at the end of that 24-hour production period. The participants are broken up into the following groups: actors, writers, directors and techies. In addition to making that 26-hr committment (production and performance), participants are also required to attend a week of 1-2 hr-long workshops during the week leading up to the production period. Now, to answer the question, the next time is completely up to you. We don't regularly schedule it as a production each year, so its up to those who are willing to organize it themselves. In the past, we've usually had two or three people organize it to fill an unexpected open slot in the schedule, so we highly recommend you pair up with a friend or two to delegate responsiblities and then you can propose it when proposals are due.