Messages

1

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / TECH: Thoughts on paper tech

« on: Feb 13, 2013, 02:56 pm »

I'm very curious to hear the thoughts of the fine folks on this board re: the usefulness of paper tech.  While I have always been on "Team Paper Tech", I'm running into more and more people who view paper tech as a waste of time and a somewhat immature way of doing things.  The argument being that "everything is going to change anyway" once we get into the space.  I'm in the off-loop Chicago community, where it's common to not even get on set until first tech.  I see it as a time saver - and a way to get everyone on the same page without wasting the time of the actors, but only really useful for shows with complicated sequences.  And even if things do change in tech (which they will), at least we started from the same goal.  For a simple lights up/lights down show, I wouldn't bother.

Thoughts?  Do you folks in larger venues still do paper techs?

Edited to add title tag. - Maribeth

2

The Green Room / Re: New Years Resolutions

« on: Jan 06, 2013, 02:52 pm »

Mine is to keep in better contact with old friends.  It's the nature of our job to move from place to place, get really close with people and then not see them again for years.  On one hand, it's great to meet so many different people, but it takes its toll on the ability to maintain close relationships.

3

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stair unit transitions

« on: Dec 29, 2012, 01:23 pm »

I would try to keep it as simple as possible and I'd use cue lines.  A one-pager on each set unit (because when you're moving that unit, you don't need to confuse yourself with everyone else's spikes and cues).  So each page would have just the moves for that set piece like: 

"Actor's final words" *beat* *beat* BLUE.  Or "Actor's final words" *SR stairs clear* RED.

And then offstage I'd have the full sheet with all of the moves if people have questions about how pieces move together.  Depending on how it looks from the deck, I may or may not put it in a slick sheet, especially if glare is an issue.  Or if it can be put inside the unit where the audience can't see it, that's great, too.  Or it could be covered with a flap of duvetine.

4

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!

« on: Nov 15, 2012, 04:07 pm »

Hey, ya'll!  I'm looking for Simpatico by Sam Shepard.

5

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: The breastfeeding/pumping stage manager

« on: Aug 28, 2012, 03:27 pm »

Thanks for the info and suggestions!  We're definitely getting an electric pump.  There's no way I'd have the patience to sit and do it manually all the time.  Especially with 2.  I'll definitely check out that Pump Ease bra, though.

It's only about a 15 minute drive to the theatre plus 5 minutes to cruise for parking and walk to the space.  I'm totally fine getting there early and pumping after set-up so that I can go as long as possible.  Tech will definitely be interesting.

6

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / WORK/LIFE BALANCE: The breastfeeding/pumping stage manager

« on: Aug 18, 2012, 08:35 pm »

I just read an article on the Equity website about this, but I thought I'd open it up for discussion here. I'll be having twins in Feb and will start rehearsals in May.  At that point I'll still be breastfeeding, but at least I'll have the process down. 

My question to the ladies who have stage managed and pumped at the same time - how did you do it?  I think I have a decent space for it (the AD's office), but I'm wondering about the timing of it all.  I'm on a Chicago Area Theatres contract and our weekday rehearsals are limited to 5 hours with only 10 minute breaks max, but we'll likely have straight 6's on the weekends with one 20 minute break.  My initial thought is to get to rehearsal wicked early, get set up, then take 15/20 minutes at 1/2 hr to pump.  Then I'll have 10 minutes to answer questions and get rehearsal started.  Then I could pump right after rehearsal as well.  If I need to pump in the middle of rehearsal, I could have my ASM take the lead on one break while I quickly try to pump and I could be available on my cell the whole time.  It's those quick ones that make me worry - often I barely have time to pee during a 10 because of questions and set/prop changes so I'd really need the ASM.  Does this sound doable?  I'm very lucky to have an extremely considerate director and very lovely company to work with.

Edit to subject line-Rebbe

7

Tools of the Trade / Re: Prop: Throwable Real Eggs

« on: May 22, 2012, 05:05 pm »

I just checked out those Splat Backs - they look amazing!  They even have an egg one!  Great resource!

8

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Need Help Narrowing Down!

« on: Apr 18, 2012, 07:05 pm »

I went to Univ. of IL at U/C and loved it, but given what you want, I'd recommend DePaul.  What the kids who went to college in Chicago have over me is that their professors SM at the big theatres in town so they have amazing connections right out of the gate.  And here I am, with an MFA that's 12 years old and these kids just walk right in.  Plus, you can also ASM or floor manage for theatres in the city between your school shows or over the summer, something that I really couldn't afford to do as I am an adult with real bills.

9

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Grad Schools for SM... tuition stipend?

« on: Nov 15, 2011, 07:45 pm »

I went to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and I think all of us had tuition waivers.  And we had assistantships that paid our monthly stipend. 

10

Stage Management: Other / Re: iPhone Stage Manager

« on: Nov 10, 2011, 02:12 pm »

Let us know how it is!  I'm a Crackberry girl myself.

11

Tools of the Trade / Re: Prop: getting hit with a vase

« on: Sep 10, 2011, 06:50 pm »

Great ideas - thanks!

12

Tools of the Trade / Prop: getting hit with a vase

« on: Sep 07, 2011, 01:49 am »

Hello!  We have a scene where our lead is hit over the head with a vase and he's knocked unconscious.  The director is fine with the vase not breaking (can't afford breakable vases), so I need something that looks relatively French circa 1800's (not specified) that a man can be hit with and not hurt.  Found a few rubber vases online but they all look pretty modern.  Any ideas?