Messages

2071

Tools of the Trade / Re: how essential is a kit?

« on: Jul 08, 2006, 11:34 am »

I have a kit.  It sits in the storage room of my rehearsal hall where it pretty much has been for two years.

If you are working for a resident theater, and they have an office and supplies, why bring a kit?  So, my office supplies, my first aid supplies, my toys are get used, stolen or broken?  (speaking as somone who has purchased over 20 tape measures in his career)/

The kit is great to have if you are freelancing and moving about, but honestly I am not sure why I would be expected to bring in supplies - that's the theatre's responsibilities to have tools, to have first aid supplies, to office supplies, etc, etc - not mine.

Now, when I freelanced, sure, I loved have the kit, and being there ready to pull out a sepctic pencil or some off office supply - but I work in a different thing now - where I stock my office, and I make sure my office has everything I need . . . when I leave here, who knows.

2072

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Line Notes (for going "off book")

« on: Jul 07, 2006, 10:55 am »

EDIT - These next few posts were split off from the Line Notes section of Uploaded Forums.  The discussion fit better in here. --PSMK

and use the empty box to write down what the actor actually said.   

I am always against wasting time writing down the wrong thing the actor said - unless for some reason the actor does not believe he is saying the wrong line. 

2073

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Giving line notes - a real novice question

« on: Jul 05, 2006, 05:30 pm »

I believe written notes are the standard, and also the best way for actors to deal with them.

If you give them verbally to them, then they have to write them down or look over them, so handing them the written notes is the best way.

Now, I can not help you in keeping actors from dumping them in the trash can on the way out of the rehearsal room.

2074

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Summer Festivals/Unpaid work

« on: Jul 01, 2006, 11:13 am »

If you want to direct, then direct.

If you want to SM, then SM.

(To add on to what I wrote . . .

If you really want to direct, you don't want to fall into the "but I stage manage on the side" trap.  You will end up stage managing.  Find a great theatre that offers a directing or artistic internship, and focus on directing and the artistic side of things.  Assistnat Direct.  Direct readings.  Direct workshops.  Direct.  Direct.  Direct.  If that is what you want.

I understand the logic behind stage managing as a way into directing, you get to be a part of the process, sit next to the director, assume some A.D. duties, but ultimately, you are gaining experience for stage management, and people will see it that way.)

2075

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Summer Festivals/Unpaid work

« on: Jun 30, 2006, 07:01 pm »

Ask this question to 20 stage managers, and you will get 20 different answers.

I think the key thing is you are just out of college and NYC - you competting for "X" amount of paid positions, when there are 2X or 3X people qualified for them.  You will find the most of the people getting those paid positions are people with a long list of shows on their resumes.  How do you get more shows on your resume, continue take non-paying jobs.  So, in some ways, yes, this will lead to other jobs.

There is a flip side to this; you could pegged as the person who is willing to work for free (just as there are those who are pegged for "PAs" or "ASMs" or "PSMs" - you can easily fall into a trap.

But right now, any experience is good experience.  Just make sure you have a plan on how to get from point a (no pay) to point b (pay), and don't linger too long.

BUT . . . you may find that work you that you really like to do is in the non-pay or low-pay range, and you may never be able to live off your stage management salary.  That's fine too. 

2076

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Working with nudity

« on: Jun 27, 2006, 04:30 pm »

My history with nudity.

1) Any nudity in rehearsal should be a closed rehearsal with just the people required for the rehearsal. 
2) Rehearsal before a run can should be done with a swimsuit.
3) Once running the show, nudity should be implemented at that time.  (Be careful in tech, you could have a nude actor for quite a while)
4) In the wings, you should have a dresser waiting with a robe.

What happens at curtain call shoud be a choice made by the costume designer and the director.

Also, besides being sensative to the actor's needs, make sure you are putting your own twist on things.  I worked with a director who was making a much bigger deal about the nudity then the actor ever would have on their own - the director's paranoia about nudity started to make the actor feel unfcomfortable.  Some people do not have a problem with being nude; so make sure no one makes it a bigger deal then it needs to be.

2077

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Thank you guys for all your help this year!

« on: Jun 24, 2006, 01:03 pm »

Congrats!

Makes

2078

Employment / Re: Websites

« on: Jun 23, 2006, 01:02 pm »

I think there is a very important thing to note on any website is keep it professional.  Don't use a myspace or blog site. 

There is a lot of talk in the business world about the pros and cons of blogs, and, IMO, I think it is best to seperate them.

I find it funny that someone stole an entire resume off a website.  That's just not cool.

2079

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Lights? Electrics? Elex? What do you say?

« on: Jun 22, 2006, 03:11 pm »

Speed of saying the world Electrics or Lights have never really been a factor.  As part of the tech process, I figure out how to get it all out of mouth in a timely manner.

I will often drop the cue number in a tight bind, as I am sure a lot of people do, but almost always get the world Electrics out of my mouth.  But now, it's a huge habit of mine . . . been calling cues like that for almost ten years.  I can't think of going back to Lights.

In the end, it's a personal preference.

2080

SMNetwork Archives / Job Opening: PA Position (Washington DC)

« on: Jun 20, 2006, 01:56 pm »

Shakespeare Theatre Company
PA Position
Enemy of the People

Washington DC
Pre-Production Start:            Tuesday, July 18, 2006
First Rehearsal:                    Tuesday, July 25, 2006
First Tech:                            Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Opening:                             Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Closing:                               Sunday, October 22, 20006
 
PA position is part of a four person SM team (SM, ASM, PA and SM Intern).  Provide support during rehearsal, tech, preview and running of the show.  Typically the position is a 40-hour a week position during rehearsal and the run, with longer hours during tech and preview weeks.  Pay is approximately $10.00 an hour. PA is supervised by the SM staff.   Ideal candidate has 2-4 years stage management or assistant stage management experience, work well within a team, enjoy working with actors, eye for detail, work well under pressure, work well without direct supervision, and have strong computer skills (Word and Excel).  The Shakespeare Theatre Company recognizes the value of a work force made up of highly skilled people from a variety of backgrounds. No phone calls please.
 
If interested, please contact M. (Matthew) William Shiner at mshiner@shakespearetheatre.org.

EDIT: Archived, no longer hiring for this position. --PSMK 

2081

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Emergency Forms

« on: Jun 20, 2006, 01:39 pm »

I don't think American AEA sends out forms due to the fact state laws are so different.

I do ask for the basics (Allergies/medication/medical conditions we should know about it), insurance and doctor information, Emergency contact and that's about it.

2082

Students and Novice Stage Managers / 2nd Page

« on: Jun 09, 2006, 02:59 pm »

I should also point out that I am exclusively targeting my resume for resident positions and/or educational positions, that's where my two page resume would go.

I would rethink my resume if I ever became free-lance again and get it down to one page.

2083

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Resumes

« on: Jun 09, 2006, 01:20 pm »

This is really going to be ask 20 stage managers, get 25 answers.

My opinion, and it’s just mine, you will see some disagreement from other posts.

1)   Simple fonts, and stick to one, two at the most.
2)   No clip art.  I think this is a more “cutesy” thing.  No, if that is your style and the image you want to put forth, then maybe it’s okay.
3)   No fancy paper.  Simple, nice resume paper.
4)   Not overly designed.  It should stick to a standard format; if you go to far off the norm, it seems like you don’t know what the “standard” should be.
5)   I am in the minority about NOT keeping to one page.  I think there are levels and jobs you are applying to where 2 pages is acceptable.

Also, remember, this is the first impression to impress.  Be careful about being overly cute or trying to be funny – you never know about the sense of humor of the person who will be ready your resume.  I was once sent a resume along with pictures of a stage manager in his daily routine.  It was very cute, I found it funny and put the person in the interview pile – my production manager was not impressed, and told me to pull it out.  At my current point in my career, I would not side with production manager.  Although I do like to have fun, there is a time and place for everything.

2084

Students and Novice Stage Managers / How Much Time

« on: Jun 04, 2006, 02:05 am »

Professionally, I start working on a show about 2 weeks before first rehearsal.

One week at my lesiure kind of work.

One week full time.

2085

Employment / my site

« on: Jun 02, 2006, 11:12 pm »

http://www.stagemanager.net