Topics

1

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Student show: Student director wants financial contribution.

« on: Oct 08, 2010, 11:16 am »

Hello all,
I was wondering if anyone could offer any guidance on the following situation:

One of my final year modules is called 'Original Performance'. This entails each student being involved in an original piece of theatre, written, directed and produced by students, which is then performed in a festival-style season of performances. The piece I am working on has a large number of assessed students on it as performers, one of whom is the playwright/director. I am stage-managing this piece.
My issues lies in the fact that the director said the other day that he expects each of the assessed students to make a financial contribution of £40. Now, I feel that this amount is far too high (which I have said to him). Also, before the summer break, I seem to remember him saying that he was going to work throughout the summer in order to raise money for the piece, thus meaning that the rest of us would not have to contribute. With this in mind, I spent my summer doing a lot of unpaid stage-management work so I could gain experience. All of the other assessed students have agreed to this £40 contribution, so I feel bad that I am not willing to pay the £40. I have spoken to other students working on different shows, and they have not made such a significant financial contribution. Of course, I am willing to put my hand in my pocket, but if there is a pot of money (of an undisclosed amount) that exists for this show, I really don't think that we should contribute our money before the 'pot' is used.
At the end of the day, this is a student production in a festival season. There should not be large production costs, and I fear that the show is getting far too big for it's boots. Obviously, as the director has spent over 2 years writing this piece (don't ask!) I think I will find it very hard to tell him this. Of course, there are staff members who, in the production meeting 2 weeks before the show, will tell him this, but by then it will be too late.
If anyone could give any advice on how to deal with this situation, I would very much appreciate it!

Thanks you,
-Claire.

2

Stage Management: Other / Any advice? Stage opera concert-1 week to work on it!

« on: Jul 15, 2010, 06:11 pm »

OK, so I'm wondering if any of you lovely people could give me any advice.

Last week I got asked to stage manage for a staged concert performance of The Beggars Opera, with a second act of scenes from other various operas/operettas. The show is a one-off at a big opera festival on Saturday, with a second performance in a small community theatre in the town in which we have been rehearsing. I have been in rehearsals all this week, and we don't get into the space until the day of the performance. As I understand it, there will be a professional receiving production team, and their stage manager will call the show with me sitting beside. I have been preparing The Book as much as I can whilst also doing many many other jobs. My worry is that my Book isn't hugely detailed with relation to blocking, as I have not always been in rehearsal, and the actors sometimes vary their blocking anyway. How do you suggest I deal with going into the venue with quite a rough Book, and having to integrate with their in-house team of professionals (I am a student stage-manager doing unpaid work for a semi-professional company at a professional venue)?

Looking forward to reading your advice!

3

The Green Room / Healthy eating as a SM

« on: Feb 07, 2010, 01:46 pm »

Ok, so here's a question to all you busy people! What sort of foods do you eat when there just isn't time to cook something? Do you succumb to the 'easy' quick-cook stuff that isn't all that good for you, or do you have and tips and tricks for eating properly, even when you're rushed off your feet? I find that when I'm busy with a show at uni, the last thing I want to do when I get in from a long day, or pop home between sessions, is cook a meal. I often make up something at the weekend which can be reheated and used throughout the week in a variety of ways, such as a nice versatile bolognese sauce. I would be grateful to receive any tips on maintaing a healthy, balanced diet on a time shoestring.
Thanks,
Claire.

4

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Work placements in the UK. Any advice?

« on: Jan 05, 2010, 01:03 pm »

Hello all,
I am currently in the process of trying to arrange a work placement which is a requirement of my degree.
I was wondering if anyone here could offer me any advice on contacting the relevant people at theatres (either producing or receiving) and touring companies. I have so far had a small amount of success in obtaining contact information from theatre websites and similar sources, however, it is proving difficult to find out this information for large resident west end shows and for some touring companies.
I would greatly appreciate any advice offered.
Thanks in anticipation.
Claire.

5

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Studying SM in the US or Canada as an international student.

« on: Dec 07, 2009, 06:21 pm »

Hi all,
I am an English student, currently studying for a BA joint honors degree in musical theatre and technical theatre at university in England. When I graduate in summer 20011 I want to further my training in stage management at postgraduate level, as this is the profession I wish to pursue. From my research so far, the training opportunities in the UK do not range widely within this specialised area, therefore I am widening my search to institutions in the US and Canada. I am keen to find out which institutions are recommended, and what the procedures and opportunities are for international students.
Thanks. Claire.

6

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Does anyone know about postgraduate SM courses in the UK?

« on: Dec 07, 2009, 06:16 pm »

Hi all,
I am currently doing a BA joint honors degree in musical theatre and technical theatre (in the UK). I will graduate in summer 2001, and already know that I want to go into stage management. As my degree does not have a large concentration in stage management, I feel that gaining a postgraduate qualification and training in stage management will be hugely beneficial. Is anyone able to give me any information relating to courses available in the UK. From the research I have done there does not seem to be a lot out there, but the courses I have come across so far are an MA in stage management from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and a postgraduate diploma in technical theatre, specialising in stage management, from Mountview. Does anyone have any experience or opinions on these institutions and their courses?
Thanks. Claire.