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Messages - SGU312

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1
Introductions / Re: Seattle Stage Manager
« on: Jan 24, 2017, 11:49 pm »
Hi Kiera! I'm a fellow Seattle SM. Welcome to the site and Seattle!
Were you able to make it to the SM networking event yesterday?
Looks like you hit the ground running by working at SCT later this spring.
They are a great company!
Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions about Seattle.

2
Tools of the Trade / Re: Spiking astroturf/fake grass
« on: Jul 13, 2016, 10:25 pm »
That's a great idea! I wish we had done that because it took forever to put down the spikes (yay for being at the theatre until 2am after finishing a day of tech at 11pm...)
Granted, the theatre I worked for did end up selling the turf off to someone else to use.
Taking the screws out was pretty easy. I imagine staples could be easy as well?

3
College and Graduate Studies / Re: Help Choosing University!
« on: Apr 12, 2016, 07:31 pm »
Bex brings up some good points to consider.
I went to Syracuse, so feel free to send me a PM.
They have a good program, although I'm sure things have changed since I was there.
Having the partnership with Syracuse Stage is a huge plus (it's a professional Equity theatre that operates under a LORT contract).
As you mention, you start off right away as a BFA stage management major.
That's not to say you can't change your mind. My class started off with 7 (which was considered large), by the time I graduated it was down to 5.
You do have general ed credits, which must be outside the drama department (so you can take classes in other things that interest you). Within the department you also have electives, so again, you can take classes in other areas (I took several lighting classes, a props class, etc).

"I wish they had more individualized stage management classes, but unfortunately they do not"
This is not necessarily a bad thing. There is only so much stage management you can learn in a classroom. Being able to work on productions helps you learn what works and what does not. Also, taking classes in other areas besides stage management makes you very well rounded. Some knowledge in different areas of the theatre will help you out a ton.

4
The Hardline / Re: SM as Board Op -- What to Ask For
« on: Mar 25, 2016, 12:53 pm »
When I was under an SPT contract as an ASM, I was compensated extra for all the set moves I did (I had no crew...)
It was an additional $15/wk.
The show I'm ASMing now (not under as AEA and again no crew), the Equity actors are involved with several large set changes and are getting an additional $5 per move per week.
Don't know if this is helpful since it's much less than the dance captain rates.

5
The Hardline / Re: Daylight savings & Rest Period
« on: Mar 08, 2016, 10:43 pm »
Update:
Our Equity Rep says we must have a full 12 hours.
So on Saturday we are sticking to what's scheduled (11am-11pm), then Sunday it will be 12pm-12am.

6
The Hardline / Re: Daylight savings & Rest Period
« on: Mar 06, 2016, 11:43 pm »
I've always made the adjustment to allow 12 hours or pay the overtime.


That's what we were thinking. If we stick to the current  schedule, then the actors would be paid an hour OT.
I haven't heard back yet from the PM, but once I do, I'll let you all know what we did.

7
The Hardline / Daylight savings & Rest Period
« on: Mar 03, 2016, 10:52 pm »
I'm working with an SPT theatre under SPT-8 and we go into tech next week.
Our two 10/12's fall on Saturday & Sunday--right now both 11am-11pm.
However, we realized that Sunday is Daylight savings (Spring Forward!) and technically we won't have a full 12 hour rest period.

From the rulebook:
10.BREAKS AND REST PERIODS
(A) Rest Period. There shall be a 12-hour rest period between the end of work on one day and the beginning of work on the next, except on the final day before the first public performance when the rest period may be reduced to 11 hours.
Any invasion of this rest period shall be paid at double the overtime rate in addition to all other remuneration due.

So does that mean we either need to do 10pm-10pm on Saturday or 12pm-12am Sunday?
Our awesome PM is contacting Equity, but I wanted to see if anyone else has run into this issue before.

8
Self-Promotion / Re: On Headset: The Stage Management Podcast
« on: Feb 08, 2016, 06:47 pm »
I just finished listening to the podcast and really enjoyed it!
Looking forward to more episodes.

9
Tools of the Trade / Re: Spiking astroturf/fake grass
« on: Dec 05, 2015, 11:51 am »
Bit of an update to this.
UPDATE:
After a longggggg week of tech we are opening tonight.

We ended up using spike tape.
What I did was take a 3-4 inch piece of spike tape, fold it back onto itself to create a flag.
Then we screwed the spikes down (only one screw per spike, usually in the center of the flag) into the turf. The top of the screws do not stick up too much, which is good since this show has dancing.
No one is in bare feet...I don't think this system would work as well if actors were in bare feet.
Between that and darker colors, they are much more subtle.
However, last night was our first night with this new system, so we had trouble finding some spikes.
That being said, I plan on changing a few colors (dark blue was a poor choice) today and making some spikes slightly larger so they are easier to find.

10
Tools of the Trade / Re: Spiking astroturf/fake grass
« on: Nov 29, 2015, 02:15 pm »
So, OP - have you moved in to the theatre yet?  What did you decide and how did it work out?  Would love to hear the result!

Yes! I'm in tech right now.
The turf was bought for this show and will not be used again after it closes, so I'm able to mark up as I need.
So far for temporary spikes, regular spike tape is working ok (just have to keep track of spikes coming up and replace as needed).

As for more permanent spikes: I tested out various colors of sharpie paint pens on some scrap turf.
Those seem to work really well and the scenic designer likes them. The trick will be making sure the spikes are super subtle so it does not end up looking like a field of wildflowers.

However, we're not at a place yet where I can paint on my spikes.
Once that happens, I'll report back on what we ended up doing and how it's working out.

11
Tools of the Trade / Re: Spiking astroturf/fake grass
« on: Oct 17, 2015, 03:41 pm »
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
I don't know yet if the turf will be ours or borrowed.
Looks like some sort of paint (in a subtle color and placement) or chalk could work well.
Good news is we start rehearsal on Monday and move into the theatre in about five weeks.
Lot's of time to figure this out.

12
Tools of the Trade / Spiking astroturf/fake grass
« on: Oct 16, 2015, 04:41 pm »
I searched the forums first and couldn't find what I was looking for.
Forgive me if this has been posted before (or is in the wrong board).

I'm about to start rehearsals for a show and our stage floor will most likely be astroturf or the fancier new fake grass (used on football fields).
While we still have over five weeks before we move into the theatre and begin tech, I wanted to start thinking about this now.

Anyone have suggestions on how to spike on astroturf/fake grass?
We were thinking some sort of paint. Any thoughts?

Edit: added tags - KMC

13
Introductions / Re: Marhaban!
« on: Oct 09, 2014, 11:05 am »
Hello and welcome!
I'm currently in Chicago, and it has a ton of theatre!
It's a great place to live and work.

14
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Deputy?
« on: Aug 05, 2014, 10:41 am »
Company Representative
The Company Representative (or “Company Rep”) will serve as spokesperson and act as advocate for the cast during the production process. Elected by majority of the cast at the first rehearsal of every production, the Company Rep will be noted on rehearsal reports and daily calls for crew and faculty to be aware of the assignment. The stage manager may conduct the election but is not eligible for election. The director should not be present for voting.
The Company Rep will bring cast concerns to the stage manager and/or the director. If the stage manager or director is unable to address the concerns sufficiently, the Company Rep will communicate said concerns to the appropriate faculty or staff members.

This is pretty much what we did at my college. Although they communicated with the production manager for the drama department. She liked the deputy to meet with her at once a week to do a quick check in on how things were going.

15
Hello and welcome! Are you still based in Chicago? There is a really great community of stage managers here, including a great group on facebook (there are meetups/drink nights every so often).

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