Topics

1

The Hardline / Question about working through the meal break

« on: Aug 17, 2018, 01:02 pm »

Need your advice:  I am PSM at a LORT ‘C” theater and am in rehearsal for  HELLO DOLLY. Just before the Company went on its scheduled one hour lunch break the director  announced he wanted to have a stumble-through of the entire show after lunch ( A major schedule change!!). I have two ASMs and one production assistant. My question is whether to: Take our required one hour meal break and return in a hour to preset for the stumble-through  thereby delaying the start of stumble-though; OR do the preset over the lunch break and eat in whatever remaining time is left before afternoon rehearsal begins; OR advise the Producer stage management will be putting in for penalty meal time if they have work through the meal break; OR stagger  individual breaks of stage management so each has a full hour to eat as well as preset for the stumble through;OR immediately point out to the director some of the consequences his decision to change the schedule have made for stage management. I am assuming that all members of the stage management here will support the final decision. I know there are other solutions and I  welcome your alternative suggestions. Thanks!

2

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / SAFETY: Speaking of evacuations

« on: Sep 08, 2017, 01:48 pm »

Hello Everybody

I'm curious how you would handle emergencies during the show. How do you and your cast handle them? Do you discuss your plan during Tech Week, perhaps at First Tech? If so did your cast/crew follow your instructions?  What kind of announcement do you make for a technical, fire, medical or weather related emergencies such as earthquake, tornado? Do you always checked your own evacuation route from your booth, or perch ?

Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth

3

Students and Novice Stage Managers / RE: First day of tech

« on: Jul 18, 2016, 06:33 pm »

It's your first day of Technical Rehearsal. You and your assistant(s) arrive at the the theatre. What's on your checklist? Dressing room siigns?
Directional signs? Setting up the call board? Checking out safety issues: stairs, platforms, light booms, etc; Checking out tech table? Checking out communications:  show &  paging levels. Cue lights: positions, labelled on SM console. Green room (if available): hospitality, Equity cots.
Distribute company roster to theatre personnel: ex. doorman. Your comments are appreciated.

4

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / TECH: tips for glo dots

« on: Feb 06, 2015, 07:48 pm »

So here's how I prepare to use glo-dots in tech. First I use a hole puncher to produce individual dots. Then I peel off the backing (sometimes you need a fingernail to this or a straight edge razor). Next attach the sticky side of the dot to a sheet of wax paper. Repeat this as many times as you like before tech and you will have the glo dots ready to place on corners, steps, railings, etc. I find this a more efficient method than to wait until someone asks stage management for a glo-dot. Of course you can use this technique for glo strips too. I'd like to hear what your method is.

Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth

5

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / CALLING: Articulation marks in SM calling script

« on: Feb 04, 2015, 07:57 pm »

I am interested in anyone's use of what I call 'articulation marks' to call cues. An articulation mark is a point in your script where you vocally begin the lead in  to  calling the G-O (Lights 32......GO). I find this reference point provides the calling  consistency from show to show as well as providing a rhythm for the show operators. Thanks for your response(s).

Edited to add topic tag - Maribeth