Messages

1

Students and Novice Stage Managers / SM Tutorial

« on: Jan 30, 2009, 02:34 pm »

I'm usually the one to train incoming stage managers within my organization, and I wanted to create a sort of "crash course" in SMing to teach them the ropes... For instance, sometimes they get assigned to me three or four days AFTER auditions and/or rehearsals begin, so I don't really have much time to train them before hand, and they don't have much time to actually read up on anything... So what I wanted to do is to create a 10-15 (short) guide on SMing, which covers the essentials but is still relatively comprehensive: auditions, blocking, rehearsals, performance etc...

What I was wondering was everyone's opinion of what I should include. What do you consider the complete essentials, and what should I leave out for new SMs that may be a bit overwhelming until after they have a couple shows under their belt?

Much thanks!

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Stage Management: Other / Opera Greenie

« on: Dec 31, 2007, 04:28 am »

I'm no greenie at stage managing... I'm pretty confident with straight plays- but by a weird series of events I find myself stage managing for an upcoming opera- something I have never done before. I've got a good team behind me, and we don't open until March, but I feel like the time is quickly approching and I don't know how best to prepare for this new adventure... What kinds of things are diffenent than normal, theatrical SMing? How is it different? How can I best prepare myself, and my ASMs who have little musical background?

While browsing the threads, I've been reading up on terms such as timings and WWW sheets- what are these? Obviously they're important, but I've never done them before- what's the process? Why are they useful? What other things, like these, are essential to my sucess?

I want to succeed- I really do. I just don't know how to start or where to go from here. I want my first experience in opera to be a good one, but I know it won't if I'm unprepared. Let me know what you think and suggest.

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The Green Room / Re: Snacks

« on: Oct 01, 2006, 03:41 am »

There are some great ideas here! I don't really eat during rehearsals usually either, like many others here, but being at the university I'm always on the go and half the time I have to go to reh. streight from class, so I don't have time to stop and get dinner. In those cases I sometimes get something on campus (which can get pricey if you go a lot.) or have a gronola bar and water before rehearsals. It helps sustain me till my next meal. I get the cheap kind- a box of 10 for like $2 or something. And I get the chewey kind, so I don't have to crunch them aloud if I'm with people.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Book and Tabs

« on: Oct 01, 2006, 03:35 am »

yeah, lol. I can definately find that happening! I figure it'll probably change or need a little bit of tweaking as the work progresses, but it's like the whole show, right? A work in progress?

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Book and Tabs

« on: Sep 30, 2006, 01:54 am »

Wow guys! That is so helpful! You guys are so helpful! Thanks for helping out a poor, clueless person like myself!

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: ASMs vs SMs

« on: Sep 30, 2006, 01:51 am »

Wow guys! This is all very helpful! Thanks so much for all your help. I think I have a better understanding now.

Let me ask another question: I've heard mixed things, and I was just wondering on your opinion: What are your thoughts on having an ASM handling blocking? For instance, I have a friend who lets her ASMs take all the blocking notes while she focuses on other things. Then at the end of the night that ASM transfers all that blocking into my friend's SM prompt script. She says it works fine for her, but I was just wondering your guys' opinion on that. Is it something I can delegate? Or should I handle that myself?

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Stage Management: Other / Re: Just SMed my first fashion show

« on: Sep 30, 2006, 01:08 am »

Wow! Sounds like you've had your work cut out for you! You sound like you did a fabulous job! Great job and concrats on the freelance thing. Hope it all goes well for you!

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: First time Sming

« on: Sep 29, 2006, 02:12 pm »

Both have said some great and helpful things. All I'd like to add is that you're on the right road. It's good that you're seeking out assistance. I hope you find some great things on this board- I have. It really is a helpful place. Another book I really like that you can possibly check out is Daniel Ionazzi's Book, which can be found here. I've found it quite useful. http://www.amazon.com/Stage-Management-Handbook-Daniel-Ionazzi/dp/1558702350

Basically, very basically, you will be responsible for running and organizing all rehearsals and production meetings. KEEP EVERYTHING YOU GET OR ANY FORMS YOU MAKE!!!! Keep drafts of everything. Purchase or obtain a 2-4inch 3ring binder with tabs, and put everything into it. It'll get big, but you'll have everyhing for the whole show in it. Then you'll be calling all cues over a headset to the light and sound board operators.

That is a very simple explanation. I'd suggest you search it out a bit more. See what you can find. Break a leg, and let us know how it's coming along!!! Feel free to ask any other questions! (I'm better with more detailed questions.)

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Teamwork: ASMs vs SMs

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 04:49 am »

Well I'm not sure if this topic has been directly discussed, so I'll introduce it anyway. If it has, please point it out for me. Thanks!!

I've been appointed two ASMs for my show to work under me, and authough I'm excited for the extra hands, it will be a bit of a learning experience for me. I've never had ASMs to work under me, nor been one, so I'm not entirely sure of the distinctions between them. What will I be responsible for doing? And what should I expect of and delegate to my ASMs? They're both competent and so far easy to work with, but I'm just kindof wondering what I should do vs what their main tasks will be.

Thanks for the help!

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dealing with stress

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 04:33 am »

I won't say much, because everyone's already said everything and a lot better than I could, but I'd just like to say I feel for you! I've had to learn this lesson many times in my life- not to overcommit myself and do too much. But like someone said- How can you put your all into one show if you're working on another at the same time? I'd try to focus on one show at a time, give it all the attention from you that it deserves!

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SMNetwork Archives / Re: Just got a new book.

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 04:18 am »

Its so true that we as SMs must learn from eachothers as friends and mentors. Books are a great resourse and I love them, but I think they will be useless if we don't take into account the experiences of all the SMs arround us. Thanks so much for suggesting that.

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SMNetwork Archives / Re: Stage managers do make coffee

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 04:05 am »

Thanks for that link! I haven't read that, but it looks to be informative. I'll have a look at it to be sure. I did read something quite like it years back, but since have lost the link for it. Thanks for the post!

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: The Ultimate Decision

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 03:19 am »

Well it's been awhile since anyone posted on this, but I just figured I'd post my story anyway.

I started out an actor. In High School I did several shows, and enjoyed the acting. I'm not exactly "musically inclined," so when it came time for the spring musical, I decided to try my hand at something different. I asked my director if he knew of anything I could do which didn't involve being onstage and singing, because I just can't sing. That's when he asked if I could stage manage for him. His usual stage manage had a particurly difficult load of classes that semester, and couldn't take on the load for stage managing. I accepted, eager to take on this new task. I loved to try new things, especially in theatre, and I had full faith that my director would help me out cuz I had no clue what a SM was or what they did!!

Everything turned out great, and he asked me to do the next show. And the next, and the next. Senior year I moved a bit into assistant directing and acted a bit more, but I have the most talent and find the most enjoyment in SMing.

When I got into college, I wanted to act a bit in the shows here, but I've been here for 2 years and so far haven't even auditioned. I think that SMing is where I'm meant to be. I love it and it's where I'm the happiest. I'd still like to act, but I would never make a career of it. SMing though? I'm definately doing that!!

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Book and Tabs

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 01:58 am »

Ok so I'm trying to put together my production book for my upcoming university production of A Christmas Carol, but I've never found a good system for organizing and dividing the tabs. I've purchased a 3 ring binder and 8 durable tabs, but I haven't seemed to find the best way to label these tabs, divide all my paperwork and generally "organize" all the information I, as an SM need to take care of. I was just wondering what system you've found to work? How should I devide my binder?

Thanks for the help!