Messages

1

Tools of the Trade / stage box

« on: Jan 03, 2009, 08:13 pm »

There are a lot of interesting and typically usable ideas that i read posted here and usually i do not have much of a problem... using a portable file box (big enough to hold my three ring notebooks) and a tackle box and in the past have found or build something that can be used a a workstation during the show. in the past the shows i have SMed for have had only one location or utilized a nearby rehearsal space only until we could get the stage. (also there is a shelf and cabinet space for my needs.) my upcoming production is going to be different... with rehearsal space and first series of performances at one location, then moving the entire show and production to another location i am somewhat concerned about my usual stage management set up and have decided to build/create something that will be small enough to be transportable (like in a car), with enough space to carry what i need and double as a workstation of types. i am interested in stage boxes and the like that people have customized or build themselves. i am not too worried about mediums as i have a strong woodworking and sewing construction background. i have an old box of types that i found in the garage on wheels i am looking at adapting, but am still interested in the feedback of others.


Moderator note: Split from "Road Cases for a Kit" - kmc307

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Prop Recipe Exchange

« on: Jan 03, 2009, 04:41 pm »

i know cola seems to be a favored stand-by for fake food props/beverages... but make sure that of you use it that you are aware of what things your cast can and can not consume, just like when food props of other types. cola has a caffeine and no all actors can consume it. before you use any food or beverragse remember to check with the needs of the actors and actresses than must consume them.

i do a lot of shows in the general area on and off stage. at some point or another i have done pretty much every aspect of theater, it helps as a SM b/c i know first hand want the other aspects of the production go through whether it is wardrobe, tech, construction, or onstage. over the years i have come across lots of different situations where actors have allergies or something similair... a loctose intolerant actress that must drink a glass of milk or allergies to chocolate or a ban of caffeine (that is in chocolate and cola). from persona experience, i can not have caffeine and was recently given an entire glass of cola with a touch of lemoade from an SM that did not check with me or the older lady who also had to drink large amounts of it before hand. we were told before hand that it would be something else, but found out on stage that it was not. as much as i would like to have just sucked it up and gone on, i knew that drinking all of it (instea of the sip that made me realize what it was) would make me sick the rest of the show and have made things more difficult for everyone else.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Has anyone read/heard about this? link to article

« on: Mar 24, 2006, 06:50 pm »

wow, i hadn't heard about that

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / a musical

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 11:29 pm »

crew isn't my major concern right now. i had planned on two asm's. our wardrobe head is fabulous. i don't read notes so well, but i read music as a percussionist/drummer. (i have some vocal background.) i'm just rying to get some prep in. THANKS.:-)

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / a musical

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 06:22 pm »

sitzprobe is?

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / MUSICALS: a musical

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 02:23 pm »

i've worked backstage and onstage for musicals and have stage managers more shows than i can count, but i've never stagemanaged a musical. not really. any advise?

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / What do you want to tell Actors???

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 01:56 pm »

"i'm not here to be your best friend, i'm here to get the show where it needs to be and to get the job done." also, "if you can't read a schedule its not my fault. i will use an understudy."

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Dealing with stress

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 01:51 pm »

water, decent diet, allow yourself moments to focus, rest (when applicable), and above all MAINTAIN YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR. i have overbpoked myself in simliar situations (i don't know if that much, but, you know) and just kept my head up and kept going. don't be afraid to take care of you.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Gender and Age Issues

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 01:48 pm »

i've had a few. (it doesn't help that at 25 i can still esily pass for my late teens.) they get over it or i make them get over it. there's a td in teh area that used to give me hell... i proved myself again and again... and never took him talking down to me. there is a very high level of respect there now.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Question for all the SMs out there

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 01:44 pm »

depending on the show i usually don't have a problem with them doing other things. esp on those long lolls where there is nothign to do but watch i show they've seen over and over and over again. as long as they pay attention when needed (i usually have warnings written in), since i'm usually in the booth with them it isn't a problem.

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Tools of the Trade / friend

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 01:37 pm »

i had a friend who worked at a local theater and had to go to wal-mart with the company credit card and buy super-sized, unlubed, condoms while with a few co-workers. i don't think the blue-haired lady at teh register knew what to think.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Backstage or In the Booth?

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 01:35 pm »

i prefer calling from the booth (so i can see exactly what is going on from the back of house). then i expect constant communication as able form backstage. it is important to me that i have dependable people on headset. i make sure all my crew knows my headset expectations. this was especialy important when i had an asm that refused to stay on headset during the run. (she didn't last long.)

i've only called from backstage during one show and that was because i was also in the show (originally cast in a small role in a local historical show) and was asked to sm after they lost the first one. it wasn't possible for me to get to the booth or anywhere close and still do my few scenes.

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SMNetwork Archives / sore throat tech

« on: Nov 15, 2005, 04:16 am »

i alwayas keep my herbal tea box in the green room kitchenette

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / training assistant

« on: Nov 15, 2005, 04:15 am »

my current asm is listed as to be in training... she is suppossed to be doubling as backstage hand as well as sm in training... the concept of learning and training seemed to cause a snag with her... (among other things)

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Leaving the booth??!!?! (part 1)

« on: Nov 15, 2005, 04:13 am »

there is a difference there... obviously. as of so far most of my emergency type situations have been able t be handled elsewhere. (i've also be lucky enough to have done a number of shows using my cousin backstage who is a trained emt.)