Topics

1

Employment / Earning a living.

« on: Sep 04, 2014, 05:14 pm »

I'm curious, is it actually possible to earn a living solely from Stage Management?
I'm mostly thinking about the UK here, but feel free to answer about other countries!
I've read a few articles mentioning that very, very few people are able to earna living solely from professional stage management jobs.
Opinions?

2

Employment / SM Interview UK

« on: Jul 11, 2014, 11:18 am »

Hi there,
I've been offered an interview for an SM position on small-mid size company for a national UK tour in the coming months.
This is the first 'proper' interview situation I will ever have done for professional work.
 I've been trying to decide whether or not i should bring anything with me to show me past experience.
And if so, i can't really decide what sort of documents would be appropriate or of interest to my interviewer...
I have electronic copies of literally all paperwork I used in my last SM project, so I no problems on that front.
Any advice on what supporting evidence to take with me to this interview?

3

Students and Novice Stage Managers / PM for a devised site-specific piece.

« on: Dec 30, 2013, 08:08 pm »

Hi there,
As part of my degree i have to take part in a 'final performance project' for this i have decided to work with a group of 4 other students/actors on a project.
My role primarily will be the Production Manager for the project.
The performance itself will be almost 100% devised using lots of different techniques in the process.
The 4 actors themselves will be devising the performance, and i assume sharing the role of director equally.
As well as this, the company are looking to make the piece site-specific/sympathetic.
So in terms of my duties there are a few that can be taken from 'straight' theatre and applied here, but obviously given the nature of the rehearsal/devising process and the venue, my role and duties will become blurred at points.
As i mentioned, the 4 actors will be sharing the role of director between them equally, so i'm also myself (rightly or wrongly, i dont know) expecting to take on some sort of quazi-director/producer role in the project, tying together the 4 directors, and overseeing their process trying to make it more productive. Obviously i would expect to have no creative input into the project. Is that getting into dangerous territory?
What is your advice for managing the devising process of a performance? What, if any, should my duties be in this time other than those which would normally be done?
Any advice on working with a company who have joint ownership/director rights over a production?

4

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Joining a company mid-tour as an ASM.

« on: Nov 29, 2013, 08:34 pm »

Hi there,
As part of my university course i've been doing a work-placement at my local arts centre mainly as a 'performing arts technician' (read: ladder-footer).
I've been offered a temporary role as an ASM in one of the productions coming to the house for 2 weeks soon. It's a non-producing house so it's standard practice for them to have touring companies in.
I'm looking forward to actually getting some real, professional experience on the SM team as experiences i've had at uni have been very heavily affected by the presence of lecturers not knowing the boundaries between being the director and being the SM.
However, as the company are a touring company, this is not their first time performing this show. I'm essentially joining them mid-way through their run as an ASM.
I was wondering what sort of things might i expect to be doing? and have you any tips for someone joining a company mid-run as an ASM?