INTRODUCTION
The Georgetown Gilbert and Sullivan Society is a student organization
of the Georgetown Law Center that has been active for nearly thirty years.
Last season, we had well over fifty active members, including law students,
alumni, and community members. GG&SS typically produces three shows
during the academic year--a Broadway musical in the fall, a (student directed)
play in the winter, and a Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta in the spring.
We are funded almost entirely through the student government of the Law
Center known as the Student Bar Association (SBA). For the last several
years, we have received one of the largest student budgets at the Law Center.
The proceeds that are taken in from ticket sales and concessions, as well
as alumni donations, are used to enhance our student budget and to make
capital investments.
OUR PURPOSE AND CREED
The Georgetown Gilbert and Sullivan Society performs a great service
to the Georgetown Law Center. We give tired, frustrated, bored, and overwhelmed
law students and lawyers an outlet for their creative energies and talents.
Whether they take center stage, run a spotlight, paint a flat, or play
in the band, few who come into our family remain unchanged by their experience.
Our goals are to inject whimsy, fun, and creativity into a situation that
is typically laborious and boring--law school. To further that objective,
you will find our policies and decisions are guided by three objectives:
CASTING POLICY
REHEARSALS
GG&SS generally plans its first read through of a show immediately
following auditions, with rehearsals starting immediately after that. The
Directorial staff will meet with the Board at a time prior to auditions
to outline a rehearsal schedule. As a guideline, we recommend that directors
plan to rehearse chorus members no more than two to three times a week
(perhaps more often with leads) and gradually increase the length and frequency
of rehearsals as the show draws nearer. We generally like to hold music
rehearsals (or some other rehearsal that requires everyone to be there)
on Friday nights, because we have a cast party every Friday night. We also
have a party every night during the run of the show.
DIRECTORS
GG&SS generally hires a director and a musical director for each
of its musicals. The directors/musical directos are selected through an
interviewing process prior to each show. Directors and musical directors
are hired for the run of the show. They are required to sign a contract
with the University. They are expected to attend production meetings, conduct
auditions, set a rehearsal schedule, and to run reasonable, organized,
and efficient rehearsals. They are also expected to remain within their
set rehearsal schedule. They are compensated in flat lump-sum payment,
to be determined prior to hiring and to be paid on the last night of performance
of the show.
Music directors are generally expected to play (piano) for their rehearsals and for performances and to oversee the recruitment of a band/ensemble (with the help of the Board). Exceptions to this have been made in the past, but arrangements must be made prior to hiring.
Student directors are not paid, but do receive a budget for all expenses connected with their production. Student directors can of course always count on the full support and assistance of Board of Directors and other members of GG&SS. If you have questions about the submissions process, please feel free to contact us at ggss@bulldog.georgetown.edu. .
