to wish people wouldn't audition for plays if they can't commit

[Vintagejazzing]

I'm a member of a local theatre group. We stage two main plays a year, both in a proper theatre. Once again, we have a new member accepting a reasonable part and then announcing that they're not free for rehearsals more than one night a week, and are also not available most weekends. Another newish member has also accepted a part and then announced he will be on holiday in the States for most of the month prior to the production. Both parts now have to be recast, delaying the start of rehearsals. Time was already tight and this is going to add further delays.
We are very clear on our website about the time and commitment required, but some people still treat it like some kind of casual hobby that should only take up about an hour of their time every week.
AIBU to wish people would bloody thing before joining a drama group and auditioning for sought after parts?

We are very clear on our website

You need to make it clear at the start of each audition what time commitment will be needed for the role. Something on the website isn't enough.

Do you not make this clear at the time of the audition?

Sorry yes, the Director also makes it clear at audition stage that there will be approximately three rehearsals a week, actors will be expected to be off script by a certain date, and must be available for the tech and dress rehearsals. But you still get some people coming along and saying nothing until they've actually got the part.

Agree website not enough. You need a full list of all rehearsals/costume fitting/performance dates and times at the audition, and ask everyone to confirm their availability.

That's very strange. All you can do is hammer it home and don't give new members big parts until they've proved their commitment with a one-line part or something.

Uninterestedfamily's idea is good. Print out a list of rehearsal dates and make everybody tick them off before their audition. It might make them think a bit more.

I would go for not giving parts to beginners indeed

To be fair I wouldn't have thought am dram required three rehearsals a week. It's not the RSC.

YANBU

But if they’re saying in person that they can definitely do it but are then changing their minds then there isn’t a lot that anyone can do about it.

I too would get them to sign and agree to all of the dates but even then I think you’ll still get time wasters.

I would get everyone to sign off on their availability when auditioning.

This reminds me of a comic strip I saw years ago. At the last rehearsal the director said " Let's all give a big cheer for 'Bert' who is the only person who has managed to come to every rehearsal ". After the '3 cheers' Bert says "Well I thought I better make extra effort as I can't make it to the actual show!". Completely misses point of thread😁

3 rehearsals a week is a lot. Of course you're going to get some people unavailable for some of them.
And don't give the big parts to people until they've proven their reliability

@WestendVBroadway 🤣🤣🤣 brilliant!

that is really frustrating and especially so as it means people who may have been cast wouldn’t be, then may want to re audition and it’s just a logistical nightmare at the best of times. I think @Uninterestedfamily had a great idea there, do that - would certainly sift out some time wasters!

@sorcerersapprentice

You’ve not been in a play have you?

1. totally standard number of rehearsals
2. you cast the best in role otherwise there’s no point having auditions

@Vintagejazzing

we had the same all the time. I had to recast so many times it was unreal.

Tell them they will no longer be able to be a member. For the reasons you mention it's not acceptable to accept a role then let the team down.

We have this with our Community Choir (bit like Rock Choir but not as expensive or posh). Solo parts allocated (try to include everyone even the newest who did actually audition). Lo and behold they miss rehearsals and worst of all one of our performances.

I give out conflicts sheets at the start of every process with every date on them. I've also had better results with one long rehearsal slot on a weekend avo than evening ones multiple times per week.

People are required to hand them back before reading for a part. Key dates and the window before each show are greyed out - not available for any of those, and no show.

More than x number unavailable - no more than ensemble roles.

Two no-shows, for any reason, and the role is looked at for recasting.

New performers earn their stripes for a couple of shows before they get 'big' roles.

The investment of time and money is too big to piss about with unreliable people, frankly. I'll cast anyone who wants a bash at it, but if you're only going to commit to an hour a week, welcome to villager number 4!

Don’t you cast 2 people in each role? That’s how it was always done when I was in an AmDram group in the 80’s and 90’s. That way, the ones that turn up to rehearse more do the “elite” performances (Friday and Saturday evening) and the No-shows the less prestigious midweek ones!

The trouble is that people don't properly read and absorb information that is given to them, or think that they are special and it doesn't apply to them, or that they don't need all that rehearsal time (missing the point about being there for other people etc) and so on and so forth.

Not everyone is like this, but an awful lot just don't feel any sense of obligation to turn up for things that they have committed to - the slightest bit of inconvenience or a clash with a more attractive event and they drop things without a backward glance. Makes me really mad. I feel your pain, OP!

Yes it's really annoying, the lead (an adult)
in a show my daughter is currently rehearsing has had to be recast for this sort of reason.

Equally annoying is not showing the full rehearsal schedule prior to audition - she wants to audition for a show and she can make the show dates but doesn't say when the rehearsals are so don't know if it's a waste of everyone's time her auditioning!