Messages

31

Employment / Re: Job Applying Words of Wisdom to College Graduates

« on: Mar 06, 2013, 12:06 am »

My cover letter is usually the body of the email unless a posting specifically asks for an attached cover letter. I only hear good things back about doing it this way. Anyone have a different experience?

32

Tools of the Trade / Re: Dropbox account full

« on: Mar 05, 2013, 06:21 pm »

Are you using a shared file or just linking them to your file? If you use a shared folder, everyone shares the space taken up instead of putting it all on your dropbox. Is that an option?

33

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PEOPLE: Working with an IA crew

« on: Feb 18, 2013, 03:06 pm »

The last IA opera company I worked with had an asm dedicated to IA wardrobe and one dedicated to IA set, deck, and props. I was the latter, so that's where my advice is coming from. I did running paperwork assignments in consultation with the TD. After the first show, I had a better sense of who was good at what, so I was able to make the decisions on my own. Just be prepared for them to ask for changes. The IA crew will do spikes. Singers will occasionally take their props from the table or from their dressing rooms, but any handoffs need to be done by a crew member. I know the wardrobe asm had a similar set-up with the wardrobe supervisor.

My biggest piece of advice is just to get to know the guys (and gals). They're usually pretty cool and are comfortable telling you what they can and cannot do. I would also meet with the TD or have the sm meet with the TD (this depends on the sm/asm relationship, really. My sm had so much cuing to do that she wanted us to be pretty independent.) and just ask your question. Every venue is different.

Running paperwork advice: IA guys tend to go for diagrams and pictures instead of just descriptions, so my paperwork had both. Make sure you date the paperwork and possibly give it a version letter. I had my guys take notes on their paperwork and then took it back at the end of the day to make their corrections and make sure old version weren't floating.

I also brought in a lot of candy.

Do you have any other specific questions?

34

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

« on: Feb 17, 2013, 11:07 pm »

I prefer to cue on my own and come back with questions. Often I will prep a cuing document based on the notes in the rehearsal report that lists all the things the director has requested and send it over before the design run.

I have found that experienced directors almost never want to cue to cue, but the last couple newer directors I've worked with were worried for me when I expressed that I didn't need a papertech unless they did.

35

Self-Promotion / Re: Mary T. & Lizzy K.

« on: Feb 14, 2013, 01:06 pm »

Welcome!

36

The Green Room / Re: Thread to vent about / Actors behaving badly / As haiku only

« on: Feb 07, 2013, 06:07 pm »

During rehearsal/
Actor is throwing up, but/
Is fine at dinner.

Then refuses to/
Go home. If others get the/
Flu, I'mma be pissed.

37

The Green Room / Re: Tax Season!

« on: Jan 31, 2013, 11:36 pm »

Anddddd, Kay is amazing, as usual.

38

The Green Room / Re: Thank You Cards for Interviews

« on: Jan 20, 2013, 12:34 am »

I always write thank yous, but they are usually in the form of emails. I love paper thank you notes, but sometimes they won't get there fast enough for the interviewer to remember what I'm talking about and the number of submissions I do via mail are few and far between these days. I usually thank them for their time, tell them I enjoyed speaking with them, mention something memorable about the conversation, and say something I learn that made me excited about the idea of working with them/their company.

39

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Summer in Chicago

« on: Jan 11, 2013, 03:55 pm »

Keep in mind that your first ever show outside of school is not likely to pay much, if anything. Try to think about intangibles like places that do work you like, with people you like, or places with great facilities you can learn a lot about.

40

Employment / Shortened Summer Season

« on: Dec 27, 2012, 09:15 pm »

This is kind of a specific question, but I'm sure you guys have some ideas! I am working on applying for union (AEA/AGMA) gigs for the summer, but this year I am in graduate school, so I am pulled out of commission from 7/29 to 8/10. This is right in the middle of the runs of a lot of summer stock I'm finding. A lot of places are taking my resume and saying it might not be a problem... but I know it hardly makes me a first choice. Anyone have experience either seeking out an earlier summer season, or piecing something together from pm-ing and/or one-offs to make your own summer season? Any tips would be so welcome!

41

Self-Promotion / Re: Apples from the Desert

« on: Dec 21, 2012, 05:25 pm »

I'm trying to work out comps from Jess! I can't wait to see it.

42

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Regional Round 5: Multitool vs Photocopier

« on: Dec 16, 2012, 12:47 am »

I find it is much easier to find someone with the tools to help me out with a quick repair than to get someone to handle copies for me.

43

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Community, Round 3: Post-Its vs. Spike Tape

« on: Dec 08, 2012, 03:58 pm »

This is by far the most stressful of all the games so far.

44

Employment / Re: Phone interview for opera company

« on: Dec 05, 2012, 12:44 am »

Also: In my experience, people mean it when they tell you keep them updated or to keep sending them your resume. There are a few PMs around these parts that told me this when I was getting out of college that are finally starting to interview me for things now that they've watched my experience bulk up over the years.

45

Employment / Re: More on juggling: guilt and rejection

« on: Dec 03, 2012, 11:51 am »

I think the important thing is to be honest. Few professionals will begrudge you for taking the best possible gig, but many will have a problem if you're not straight with them about when you've committed. For this reason, I usually go with "I'm interested in working on this project. I'd love to sign a LOA so we're on the same page about dates until the AEA contract comes through." Everyone I've worked with has been happy I wanted to do this and while it is not a contract, it does tend to keep us both honest, and it requires us to communicate if other opportunities are being considered.