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« on: Nov 27, 2008, 03:23 pm »
High school theater....
To give you a bit of background, I take a very actor based approach to stage managing. I do everything that a stage manager should do in terms of the technical side of things, but I also know and trust the staff in my program well enough that it isn't something I need to worry about as much. I get them the information, and I go and check in with them, but I know that my props mistress will make a props list with a much clearer idea of what we can work with, and my LD can make a very complete cue list, that I only need to supplement with information from rehearsal. I create these things for them only out of courtesy, and so we have something to start with. I focus most of my energies working with the actors. I make sure to build up a strong relationship with them (starting with cookie Friday's) and make sure I know every single one of them. I go to their other shows and their concerts, they always receive cards at them. I go out of my way to make them feel comfortable. And, it often turns out, I am the only person looking out for them. I am the one who stands up for them at production and scheduling meetings, I am the only one who thinks that having a kid go on wearing a burlap shirt with no undershirt might be a bad idea. I had to lobby to buy a first aid kit for the rehearsal room! I end up commanding a lot of respect from the actors, and it means a lot when I yell at them, because they know if I am angry at them, something is really bad.
Last year I was thrown into a very interesting situation. The stage manager for a show announced to us he couldn't be there for three of the five performances. I got tossed the position, two weeks before tech rehearsal. The show was directed by a student, who also happened to be the playwright. Thankfully (for reasons that will soon become apparent) all the actors had been in shows before. I come in, and see that rehearsals were starting an hour late, there was not (apparent) schedule, and a good portion of the show hadn't been blocked. Even less had been recorded. The director was a tyrant, would run scenes over and over again, yelling at the actors for doing it "wrong" with no explanation, and tossing the understudy out of rehearsal for asking a question about the blocking. At one point she handed the lead a note that said "Everything." I was able to whip the show into shape, thankfully all the technical stuff had been arranged, and I was the sound designer, and that was the only cue heavy part. But still, the director was treating the cast, and me, terribly, not respecting artistic boundaries, or even acknowledging that she was working with humans. I talked to the artistic director of the program one we finished the first tech, and she said she saw the issues, but by the time they became apparent, there was little she could do, which I understand. Afterward, we had a talk with the director and she was made aware that she wouldn't be directing again, but, I still couldn't help feel bad for the cast. I knew the director wasn't going to be apologizing any time soon, but I also knew it would be breaking many boundaries if I apologized to the cast on her behalf. I ended up just telling them I was sorry I came on so late, and wasn't able to get the show together and calm her down much earlier on. How would you guys have handled a situation like this?
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