Messages

1

The Hardline / Re: Theatres That Have Closed--Can You Say "Emergency?"

« on: Sep 13, 2013, 02:06 pm »

Atlanta Theatre of the Stars. Gone.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Official-Atlantas-Theater-of-the-Stars-to-Close-Following-Financial-Troubles-20130912

Sad - they were recently looking for SMs too.

2

The Hardline / Re: Equity SPT - Weekly Hours Question

« on: Apr 26, 2013, 08:56 pm »

If they're on 1 contract for both shows, then they should be limited to the 30 hours total.  If they have a separate contract (and therefore 2 separate paychecks) then in theory the 30 hours applies to both shows.  Just remember, you're in the same boat as them.  If you're on 1 contract, you're limited as well. 

That being said, if they're on 1 contract for both shows, they (and you) fall under the Overlap increment.  They don't gain any extra available hours, but you do.

When I was working with an actor that was on Overlap under SPT, both his rehearsal and performance hours went towards the 1 total.

When in doubt though, call your AEA Rep.  It's possible this theater has a specific item covering this.

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The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork fundraising drive 2013

« on: Mar 02, 2013, 12:17 pm »

Donated.

4

Self-Promotion / Re: Off to China

« on: Feb 23, 2013, 09:54 am »

Very cool.  Best of luck!

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Self-Promotion / Re: David Mamet's Race at Theater J

« on: Feb 15, 2013, 07:06 pm »

Yes Race is good for those breathers.  I've done it myself.  Enjoy. :-)

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Self-Promotion / Re: Mary T. & Lizzy K.

« on: Feb 15, 2013, 12:51 pm »

Thanks all!  Maybe we can get a drink night going soon?  :-)  I'm out of town this Sunday and Monday but fairly open besides that.

7

The Green Room / Re: Steering your career . . .

« on: Feb 15, 2013, 12:50 pm »

I can understand the frustration.  My career started out and I had a good mix of musicals and straight plays.  But with the exception of a 3 week contract on White Christmas, I haven't been able to get a job on a musical.  Yes, I've been working steadily but the large musical / classical shows could offer challenges to me that I haven't been able to experience lately.

That being said, I have been lucky enough to finally branch into the DC area.  It's a location I'd been trying for years to get into and I can only hope that this job at Arena Stage will open up more opportunities.

And as Jessie mentioned, $ is always an issue.  I'm not in the position where I can afford to sit and wait an indefinite amount of time for an opportunity to finally present itself.  I need to keep working to maintain my lifestyle and that's something I don't feel like giving up on.

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Self-Promotion / Re: Spring Awakening - Olney Theatre Center (MD/DC area shadowing opportunity)

« on: Feb 15, 2013, 12:43 pm »

I'm working with Robert on my show at Arena.  Small world.

9

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TECH: Thoughts on paper tech

« on: Feb 14, 2013, 02:43 pm »

For the most part, I haven't worked with a Lighting Designer that had the show cued before we got into actual tech.  Maybe I'm just unlucky.  I do often get sound cues ahead of time and can get them in my book early.

Otherwise, I haven't seen the need for paper techs.  Most directors I've worked with don't want them and as mentioned above, designers can be even more difficult to nail down.

Knowing where deck shifts and what not ahead of time is important though.  As long as I have that dealt with ahead of time, getting the other cues written during tech seems to work for me.

10

Self-Promotion / Mary T. & Lizzy K.

« on: Feb 14, 2013, 09:55 am »

This is the first week of rehearsals for me at Arena Stage in DC.  Having never worked in DC before, I'm very excited.  Thankfully, I've worked with half of my design team before and the director has worked with all of them many times.  This makes it a little easier for me to get acclimated.

I will say it's been a big shift for me.  The last 4 years, I was working in a theater that had a staff of 12 doing everything.  Now I've got departments and assistants and assistants to the assistants that I'm dealing with.  It's great having the support system though.  TheaterWorks Hartford got everything done and you always knew who to go to for a problem but I'm still learning my way around Arena.  What has helped is my ASM (though technically I think she's called a Stage Manager Apprentice since she's non-AEA) has worked here before.  She's good and has helped bring me up to speed. 

Looking forward to the next 3 months!

11

Self-Promotion / Re: An End and a Beginning

« on: Nov 15, 2012, 07:36 pm »

Yes I will be there in the spring.  I get in on February 4th and the show is closing on April 28th.

I'd love to be part of a drink night while I'm there.

12

Self-Promotion / An End and a Beginning

« on: Nov 14, 2012, 07:46 pm »

This week marks my last at TheaterWorks Hartford.  I've spent 4 years here and like most jobs have had my ups and downs but mostly ups and that's what we strive for.  I close out Venus in Fur on Sunday which is my 17th production here.  I've thanked this company for all the work they've given me and now looking forward to what the future will bring.

And speaking of future... after 2+ months of family time, I begin work on a new play at Arena Stage in DC called Mary T & Lizzy K.  It'll be my first production with the company and my first in the DC area.  I'm really looking forward to it and it'll be a nice 3 month job before I finish getting ready for Grad School (on the assumption I'll get accepted of course but I like to think positive  ).

On a side note - I don't think TheaterWorks has found a full time replacement yet if anyone might be looking for work in the Hartford area.  The first show after their Christmas production starts rehearsal sometime around New Years day.

13

The Green Room / Re: Smallest Audience Size

« on: Nov 08, 2012, 06:51 pm »

Wow so many stories. 

MissLiz - I agree that usually even a small house can be very enthusiastic but that only seems typical for us when the houses are small due to the weather.  When shows just aren't as popular among our audiences, smaller sizes almost seem like they're looking for a reason why so few people are there to begin with.

Matthew - Not being told about a performance and also not having a performance sold - that is impressive to come across in a career.  Sad but impressive.

This theater's policy is as long as 1 paid person is in the house, we're having the show.  Seems like the standard after hearing these posts and it makes sense.

14

The Green Room / Smallest Audience Size

« on: Nov 07, 2012, 07:00 pm »

I'm curious, with another storm here in the Northeast, what's the smallest house size you've performed for?  Our house only seats 195 and before the office closed today our reservations had dropped from 180+ to 50+ and we're expecting even less than that by the start of show time. 

I remember 2 winters ago doing performances for about 20 people when we had major snow storms. 

It's a shame that the weather can affect us this much.  The good thing this theater does is if people have to reschedule, they're not charged again.  Even if they just don't show up, they can call the next day and still change their reservation.  It's one of the things that has kept our subscription rate so high I think.

15

Tools of the Trade / Re: Do you prefer Word or Excel?

« on: Nov 07, 2012, 06:57 pm »

Like so many others have mentioned you can't really compare them.  For tracking, spreadsheets, contact sheets and calendars, I use Excel.  For my rehearsal and performance reports, I use Word and then save them as PDFs.