Messages

1

Tools of the Trade / Re: latest toys...

« on: Mar 24, 2008, 02:05 pm »

I myself love post-it flags or tabs, especially the kind you can write on with pencil.  I have not yet found a particular pencil that I enjoy - standard #2s require far too much physical sharpening, and mechanicals break, so I use too much lead.  I just got a new set of divider tabs - they're from Avery, and it has an index page and 31 color coded tabbed dividers.  It's a beautiful, beautiful thing.  http://avery.com/us/Main?action=product.Details&catalogcode=WEB01&node=10211194&productcode=11129

I'm also currently in love with and recommend to everyone the Zebra F-301 BP pen.  They write incredibly smoothly and effortlessly (imho) and it feels like when I'm jotting something down, it's literally just flowing from my hand. They also now come in a telescoping compact-to-standard size complete with an eye loop for a lanyard in the clip.  http://www.zebrapen.com/ball-f301.html

I've looked at both Office Depot and Staples, and Staples is the only place around me that sells them last I saw them.  But so worth the $4.50/2pack.

2

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student Stage Manager's Challenge #2

« on: Mar 17, 2008, 07:39 pm »

The actors are non-equity, right?  Assuming that this is the case, I'd contact House Manager, have them activate their ushers, calmly explain the situation to the patrons via G*d mic or ASM on stage.  I'd call the production manager/ explain the situation to the managing director, let them know that it is not safe for the actors to perform without lights.  As the houses I'm most familiar with do not have direct out-door access, nor would I want to open doors if the weather were bad enough to warrant lightning strikes.  I would consult with the operators of the theatre and the actors to assess if there were a way to extend the run for one performance for the patrons of this particular performance, if the lobby was not a viable option, for strike/load-in logistics.  Otherwise, I would ask that the theatre provide comp tickets for another show later in the season.  Since the actors are non-equity, an additional show can be added once the lighting system is repaired. 

3

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Schedule project

« on: Mar 17, 2008, 07:24 pm »

If you need to, consult the Equity rulebooks.  Has your professor specified what contracts your 'actors' are on?  We had to do a similar project of a Tech/preview schedule for a hypothetical production of Rocky Horror, fully mounted in a LORT B theatre that doesn't exist.  If you want to see examples of my schedules from The Hypochondriac last semester, or the professional daily calls from a small cast production, PM me and I can email them to you later when I'm on my laptop at home (not while I'm killing time at work).

4

Tools of the Trade / Re: The comfort of a featherweight headset

« on: Mar 16, 2008, 03:34 am »

The only problem with featherweight headsets I hear were if you get more then two in the same area you get horrible feedback. I'm not sure if that's true or a rumor. I'm interested to find out though. I perfer clearcom. I've worked with it a lot and find it very reliable.

I don't know about having two lightweight headsets in the same area, since the only person on our team to have one was our SM, but I do know that if he had the earpiece away from his head (i.e.: Not right up to his ear), everyone got a NASTY feedback over the system, right in our ears.

5

College and Graduate Studies / Re: BA or BFA

« on: Apr 13, 2007, 12:58 am »

thanks so much for all your imput.....i am lucky to have gone to a really great high school where i am getting a great liberal arts education. I feel that i would really do a lot better at a BFA program because i feel like theatre is what i am going to be doing for the rest of my life.

the one school that i have my heart set on is Syracuse....has anyone gone there for a BFA program?


thanks
 

I'm just finishing up my freshman year in the Stage Management BFA at Syracuse.  It's a great school to have your heart set on ;-).  Right now, I'm ASMing on the final mainstage of the season, a big musical comedy, but through the year, I've been Sound Board Op for a mainstage farce, Asst. Scenic Designer for a Black Box, Hair Stylist/Makeup Artist for Black Box, and electrics crew for a mainstage.  As a freshman SM here, you'll not only ASM for an upperclassman on the mainstage, but you also have two crew assignments (usually a board op or deck crew) to fulfill.  After that, you've got lots of opportunities to volunteer in the shops or work on Black Box shows, building and loading in the sets or hanging and focusing lights, etc.  They focus on keeping us well-rounded both in theatre (we all have to take lighting design, basic design classes, technical practicums, acting, development, and analysis classes) and on The Hill with 30 academic elective credits that we need to take.  The faculty here are also fantastic, with multiple equity members teaching classes.  I'm sure you've done your research on SU if you've got your heart set on us, so you know about Syracuse Stage and what that has to offer us.  If you haven't already, I'd suggest visiting (or if you have, visit again) and if you talk to Don and Dianna, ask if you can come in to watch a rehearsal or if there's another SM somewhere who has a few free minutes to talk to you and show you around.  We're a pretty friendly bunch, and we LOVE prospective students, and I mean we LOVE them and get excited for them to show up.