10-Commandments for Theatre

I. The Director is God. Thou shalt not take notes from friends nor family, coaches nor critics.

II. Thou shalt not take the name of thy producer thy angel in vain, for he shall sign thy checks.

III. Remember thou keep holy the half-hour; keep in mind that an actor is never on time, an actor is always early....

IV. Honor thy author and thy composer, for in the beginning were the words and the notes.

V. Thou shalt not kill laughs nor step on lines; still, thou shalt pick up thy cues.

VI. Thou shalt not adulterate thy performance, for thy stage manager is always watching.

VII. Thou shalt not steal scenes nor focus nor props.

VIII. Thou shalt not bear false witness in thy bio nor résumé; indeed, thou shalt be truthful in thy entire performance.

IX. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's lines; for truly, there are no small parts, only small actors.

X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's good fortune; for in fact, all actors must pay their dues.

This above all: The Show Must Go On