Leighton Buzzard Drama Group
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The Prompt
Prompting is one of those vital jobs that the audience often overlook (provided that you're not needed). Prompting is an enjoyable task which could even help you decide whether you wish to remain backstage or appear on stage. If you like reading and are interested in watching a play from a different angle (usually through a small gap about waist height at the front corner at the side of the stage), then this is the job for you.
During early rehearsals you have the opportunity to sit back and watch where the
actors move and when they pause whilst reading from their scripts. As rehearsals
progress, you mark up your own copy of the script to help you find your way round
a page quickly (for example, entrance and exit cues, moves and so on). The fun really
starts when the producer decides to dispense with the scripts -
So far, so good. An added complication occurs during later rehearsals when the backstage crew turn up and tell you that you will have to move from that comfortable chair with a good view of the stage to a dark corner where, using a torch to follow the script, you will have to kneel and peer through a small hole to see the action.
Prompting during a performance (hopefully you won't be needed) requires you to speak
at a pitch and volume that the suffering actor will hear, without your voice reaching
the back row of the auditorium. You also require judgement -
This is a job for everybody. Every contact is useful for props. If you can manage
without your furniture/hi-
