Topics

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROFESSIONALISM: marijuana and theatre

« on: Jan 13, 2007, 03:52 am »

I am currently working backstage (running crew) at a production.  Recently I noticed that the Deck Manager was a little bit high, making more jokes than he usually does, laughing obcenely loud over headset, and just constantly fooling around during the show.  It did not affect him doing his job (from what I saw, though it could have), but I was concerned.  When I asked him about it, he just said that he was happy (the matinee was cancelled), and then proceeded to tell me it was his job (over and over again).  Assuming that one should never show up under the influence, what are some ways that marijuana use could affect any aspect of technical theatre?

Thanks in advance

-M

2

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Professionalism: Two shows at once?

« on: Nov 03, 2006, 01:18 pm »

I am stuck in a dilemma.  I have been offerered the chance to work on a musical which has caused a lot of hubbub in the theatre community(It will be the first time it will be on stage) (twice a week, for like 2 hours, then tech week, etc).  The problem is that I have already agreed to do a production that is after school.  If I agree to do the musical, I would have to miss two rehearsals a week, although I would have a perfectly capable ASM. 

Is working two shows at once alright, or unprofessional?

Thanks for your input

3

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Calling/teching your first show, your experiences.

« on: Oct 30, 2006, 02:14 am »

I have just gone through my first tech, and it was better and worse than I thought it was going to be.  My director was impatient because it was my first time calling a show, and the first sequence is the most complicated in the whole show (Stage Door, we have less Lx's than Sq's and we have like 30 Sq's).  Besides that, he was helpful, and patient with me.  I also thought that I did a pretty good job calling everything, there were times when our TD had to take over to call some sequences (highschool theatre), but other than that, I thought I did a good job in keeping everyone happy, sane, and working hard.

What were your first experiences teching/calling a show?

4

SMNetwork Archives / Playbill

« on: Oct 10, 2006, 04:44 pm »

I was looking through a playbill the other day, and I was looking through the roles of the theatre crew, and I couldn't find the title "Stage Manager".  Where should I look for the SM?

5

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Preproduction: Plots

« on: Jun 02, 2006, 04:09 pm »

What plots should I make as soon as I get the script?

I am working a school production of Stage Door, which is an after school activity in the fall.  I have recieved the script, and have made a character-scene action chart.  I have read that I should make other plots, such as lighting, props, clothing, carpentry (which i assume is the set), and sound.  I am wondering if it is good for me to wait, until I have understood what the director wants, or should I just fill it out based on the script?  For things like lighting, is it better to wait as well, since that is not a definite thing?

Thanks in advance

6

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Auditions

« on: May 16, 2006, 04:23 pm »

I am going to be the sm for a hs production of Stage Door

My director tells me that he wants me to be involved in the audition process.

What exactly does a sm do during the actual auditions? (besides the organization)

What purpose does he serve sitting in on the auditions?

thanks to all who give advice