Messages

1

Self-Promotion / High and Mighty

« on: Sep 24, 2015, 08:53 am »

I am currently working on the world premiere of 'High and Mighty' by Donna Gay Anderson.

I'm so excited to have this as my final show as an undergrad. I'm working with an amazing team, most of whom are professionals in their field. I have a dynamic duo as my ASMs. And a cast with so much amazing talent! This show is bringing together three separate departments that hardly ever get to collaborate on things. It's all very exciting!

The show runs November 17-21 at the Vonnie Borden Theatre in Hammond, La.

2

Students and Novice Stage Managers / No Director Present

« on: Mar 07, 2012, 01:04 pm »

So, I could use a little advice. I'm working on a show, a new work, Who the F**k is Dan Smith?, at my university. The school is flying down a guest director, who is an alumni of the school, and who also happens to be my best friend. However, she was only down for the auditions/casting/1st read through, and won't be back again until rehearsals officially begin, on March 26th. However, the actors have requested to meet with me as a group once a week. Most questions/duties/etc that normally would go to the director, are going to me. I'm emailing/texting/calling her constantly to get her input, but lately she's been slow to respond. I've tried discussing it with her, and she says she trusts my judgement, however, I am very worried about stepping over the line. Issues we are having are things such as: script changes she's emailed me that contradict each other or do not fit well when read aloud, actors having issues with the scheduling, production team members not responding to me, etc. At what point am I in over my head? Because I'm starting to feel like I can't touch bottom. *SIGH*

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The Green Room / Re: Best one-liner from a performance report

« on: Mar 07, 2012, 10:16 am »

The same Dan Smith.  In this he's the God of Hipsteria (which is pretty much Williamsburg, BK) and his wanna be 'followers' who are just hipsters. It's super funny.

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The Green Room / Re: Best one-liner from a performance report

« on: Mar 06, 2012, 06:18 pm »

My current show, a new work, Who the F**k is Dan Smith?, has had two rehearsals. First night's rehearsal report:
                                  "Hipsters are not the same thing as stoners. Or valley girls."

I was very amused.
                                 

5

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Managing for Disney

« on: Mar 06, 2012, 06:01 pm »

I'm a Disney addict, too. I wish I had experience to share, but I'm very interested to see if anyone can share their stories!

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Being friends with the SM

« on: Feb 25, 2012, 12:04 pm »

The best way that I've found to handle it, in a college theatre setting, has been that during our first table work/read thru, we go around the room and everyone introduces themselves (even though we all generally know each other), says their position/role, and something you should know about them. Mine usually goes like this, "Hey guys! My name is Lydia and I'm your stage manager. Something you should know about me is that even though I'm your friend socially, when we are here I'm all business, but never feel like you can't talk to me." They know me well enough to respect me professionally and I always return that to them. 

7

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Management Kit

« on: Feb 25, 2012, 10:38 am »

As a college student, I use a reconstructed scrapbook bag that I've added a shoulder strap to as my kit, and then I just invested in the Bag of Holding from thinkgeek.com for my laptop, 3 ring binder, script, clipboard, etc. I used to use a tackle box. It's all about what's easiest for you. I'm like a bag lady. I've got school bags, work bags, and SM bags with me DAILY. It's about portability for me. Good luck finding something that works for you! 

8

The Green Room / Re: Things Stage Managers Say

« on: Feb 06, 2012, 12:26 pm »

"Is it yours? No? Then don't touch it!"

"This is your costume/make up/personal belongings crate. There are many like it, but this one is yours. If this doesn't help you all keep your things organised, then nothing ever will."
--In reference to 35 actors and their individual crates so they'd stop losing everything. It was a mess.

"I'm sorry, did I push a full grown man out of my hoo-haa yesterday and no one told me? I'm not your mother."
--Why is it that adults always need the most mommying!?

--"When I posed, "Would you like to read your line notes and correct them?," as a question, I really meant, it's not an option."

I love my actors, I do, but my god.

9

Self-Promotion / Re: Blue Man Group National Tour

« on: Feb 06, 2012, 12:09 pm »

Hey Lizz!! Fancy running into you on here!:) Congrats on getting the BMG gig! I'm excited for you! Hope you enjoyed your time in New Orleans!
Lydia

10

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Should I be responsible for tellling an actor he's been demoted?

« on: Jul 27, 2011, 11:40 am »

I've tried a few ways to search this, but can't find anything on it. I stepped in to SM a show for our college theatre club because they lost an actor and the SM at the time stepped in. Out of nowhere he said he would be gone a week earlier than expected (we have a week off, so at the time it wasn't a problem), and now he's saying he may not be back for when we start rehearsals in our performance space and once he IS back, won't be able to rehearsal on Fridays for fear of MAYBE missing work. My director and I agree that this isn't fair to the other actors. Unbeknownst to him, we have found a replacement who WANTS this. He's available for all rehearsals, and I've worked with him before, so I know we can trust him. My director wants me to contact him and tell him he'd be better suited as an understudy, since his schedule is so hectic, but I just don't know how to go about that. Any suggestions on how to tell him he's been basically been removed from the show? 

11

The Green Room / Re: Prompt Book

« on: Oct 21, 2010, 06:37 pm »

I'm PMing you! 

12

Tools of the Trade / Re: i discovered the best SM/backstage shoes ever

« on: Mar 14, 2008, 10:47 am »

www.shoesforcrews.com

My boyfriend just ordered some crew shoes for BMG. He love's them!

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Tools of the Trade / Re: What is Gaffer Tape?

« on: Mar 20, 2007, 03:47 pm »

I <3 gaffer tape.

14

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: HELP ME!!! I AM SO LOST. (ACTF)

« on: Mar 06, 2007, 02:03 pm »

I went, and though I didn't win anything, they think I have a lot of potential. My director/teacher is also being considered to be chair or vice chair of Louisiana as well as vice chair for playwriting. I hope to do better next year and I learned a lot. I will be sure to keep in touch with you as time progresses. 

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / HELP ME!!! I AM SO LOST. (ACTF)

« on: Feb 25, 2007, 11:20 am »

So I am going to ACTF tomorrow, and I still haven't figured out what my sm approach is. What are they talking about? HELP!