Messages

1

Tools of the Trade / latest toyes...

« on: Jul 29, 2005, 02:36 pm »

I found mini scotch tape at Office Depot.  They come in a pack of 4 in assorted colors.  They are the size of a quarter.  soooo cute!!

2

SMNetwork Archives / Cruise Ships

« on: Jun 15, 2005, 10:39 am »

Does anyone know what the pay scale is?  What about health benefits?

3

SMNetwork Archives / sore throat tech

« on: Apr 29, 2005, 10:39 am »

There is a cold medicine that my actors live by....Airborne.  It is like an alka seltzer tablet that you mix with water.  It works like a charm.  As mentioned in the previous posts, you also need rest.  Taking deep breaths through out the day reminds me that I need to slow things down and re focus.  I tend to try and do too many things at once instead of getting one thing done before moving on to the next.

take care of yourself!

4

SMNetwork Archives / just a big ole HUG to all of you

« on: Apr 22, 2005, 10:45 am »

I have to add to this thank you.....

I don't post much, but I read this site almost daily.  It helps an amateur sm like me realize how valuable my "role" is in the theatre.  I appreciate the honesty and respect here that everyone has for what they do.  So, without getting too mushy........you people rock! :wink:

5

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Backstage or Booth?

« on: Apr 22, 2005, 10:41 am »

I sm in a community theatre.  My board of directors actually wanted to tell me that I couldn't call a show from the booth. They had never had a sm call from up there.  All of their sm called from backstage.  They did not understand how I could "control the actors" and make sure everyone got onstage in time if I wasn't back stage.

Ummmm......well, first of all, I am not a babysitter!  Second, the distractions backstage would hinder me from calling the best show i am capable of.  Third - no one on the board new a thing about what an sm did.  they just knew they had always been backstage.  Grrrrrrr.......

They have left me alone for the most part, but still love to make a dig every now and then about not being a presence backstage.  I just keep saying, "I feel the show would suffer if I have too many distractions.  I have great ASM's and a fabulous TD.  It is all under control"

This topic just hit a nerve bc they really have no idea what it's all about.  They want a great show.  I can give them a great show from the booth, not backstage.  Period.  The End.

6

Employment / What is really required?

« on: Mar 22, 2005, 04:57 pm »

Hey there everyone.... I am letting you in on a little bit about me with this post.  I have to do so to get the advice I need.  I am 30 yrs young.  I do not have a degree in theatre.  I do not have a masters.  I have sm'd 2 entire seasons in community theatre in Louisiana.  My resume is pretty extensive with well known shows, but I am wondering what people in non-equity theatres around the country are looking for when they hire an unknown sm.  If I tried to move to another city (chicago, la, florida, new york,etc) would i even be given a chance?  I know I wont know until I try, but should I get more experience, more education or what under my belt before I attempt it?  I absolutely love to stage manage.  Only the people on this site understand that.  It really is almost an addiction.  I have never been paid and wonder if I would enjoy it as much if I did.  Anyway,  any response would be great!

thanks!

7

The Green Room / Food

« on: Mar 11, 2005, 05:34 pm »

thanks to everyone for all of the awesome ideas.  (i have found this a fun thread!)  i have really been trying hard this week not to eat out and have had great success!  i probably saved about $30.  i went to the grocery store and got some dried fruit, peanut butter, sugar free pudding, pistachios, peanuts, and other things for snacks.  i also got salad fixings, sandwich stuff and the fridge pack of water bottles and lemonade.  i spend so much money on the vending machines for my drinks.  anyhoo, thanks again for the suggestions.........keep 'em coming!

8

The Green Room / Food

« on: Mar 08, 2005, 02:01 pm »

thanks everybody!  i honestly do feel like this junk food is ousing out of my poors.  i am going to have to give in to carrots.  i couldn't stand them as a child, but i don't mind them now...they just have to be cooked.  i will make the attempt again at them raw.  peanut butter is a great idea.  i will eat that on anything!

any more ideas/suggestions?

9

The Green Room / Food, Tech Dinners, etc (Merged Topics)

« on: Mar 08, 2005, 10:20 am »

What kind of food or meals do you guys tote around to rehearsals?  I find myself spending way too much money on fast food junk.  I don't need anything exceptionally healthy, but fast food gets old!  Any ideas?  (I do have access to a fridge and microwave)

thanks!

10

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PEOPLE: Actors who direct....

« on: Mar 01, 2005, 11:53 am »

I am in production for Forever Plaid.  I am about to pull my hair out bc instead of one choreographer, we have 5!  Instead of one music director, we have 5!  Instead of one director, we have 5!  The guys who are in this show do nothing but give notes to each other all night.  It drives everyone crazy.  How can I tactfully put an end to this.  We are a couple of weeks away from tech, but we will be miserable if this keeps up.

thanks!

11

SMNetwork Archives / kit

« on: Mar 01, 2005, 09:17 am »

hey kitty,
welcome to the boards.  speaking of box on wheels, i have just purchased a brand new kit!!!!  it was a very exciting day for me!  i found it at walmart in the craft section.  it is a rolling suitcase thing that people who do scrapbooking use.  i love it!  i actually went to walmart looking for the 2-1 stanley caddy that i read about on this board, but it wasn't big enough for me and didn't seem as sturdy as i wanted.  i can fit my binders, tape, first aid, hole punch, and EVERYTHING in this one rolling kit.  very exciting!

it was a little more money than i had planned on spending ($70), but i wouldn't trade it for the world!!!

12

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / New Director

« on: Feb 01, 2005, 05:56 pm »

I have already asked him to sit in the house and not in the booth.  That was a necessity for me!!  It's getting to the actors as well bc they feel they can't settle into the role with him still changing things.  Oh well.....I don't know what else to do besides blow off steam in this forum!! thanks everyone!

13

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / New Director

« on: Feb 01, 2005, 10:37 am »

What do you do when a director won't give up the show.  We have gone through opening weekend.  I called a pickup rehearsal this Wednesday night for our Thursday night show.  The director is coming in to change blocking.  Is this normal?  He has not only been to every performance (which some directors do), but is still giving notes to me, tech and actors.  I have never experienced this.  It is hard to call a show with the director talking in your ear the whole time!

any comments??

14

SMNetwork Archives / Great Online Software

« on: Jan 24, 2005, 04:56 pm »

have you used this software?  what do you think?

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SMNetwork Archives / Great Online Software

« on: Jan 24, 2005, 12:11 pm »

This is super cool!!  Thanks for the info.

emery