Messages

901

Tools of the Trade / Re: paint

« on: May 11, 2009, 09:43 pm »

I have never tried this, but there might be some kind of kids' finger paint that would work. Maybe some kind of bathtub paint that is soap-based?  http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Bathtub-Finger-Painting-Kit/dp/B00000IRYM

902

Tools of the Trade / Re: Making prop red wine

« on: Apr 18, 2009, 10:43 am »

There's a stain removal product that come with the Dryel package that I've found works really well. You squeeze some of it on, then put a paper towel or something similar to soak up the excess. I've only used it for small spot treatments, but have been pretty successful with it.

I would look at the package to make sure it included it before purchasing- also, the bottle that I had was fairly small.

903

Employment / Re: Job/Gig searching in the new economy

« on: Apr 11, 2009, 12:33 pm »

I had some work "evaporate" too (I think that's a great word for it). I managed to get through the winter ok- my overhire work tided me over and I started doing some house managing (and was trained to work the box office, so if I needed to pick up some extra hours, I could).

My next production just went into rehearsals this week- it's been nice to get back to doing actual stage management. I think this winter was my longest break without doing a full production since I started SMing.

904

Stage Management: Other / Re: Things to look for in opera

« on: Apr 08, 2009, 12:33 pm »

There are some good threads on here about SMing opera:

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,1249.0.html

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,2158.0.html

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,550.0.html

But in terms of what you can observe, I would think that having the SM call from backstage would be a big thing. All of the entrances are cued by stage management- and the stage manager pages the singers to places 5 minutes before each entrance.

905

Employment / Re: How to Tour with Dance Companies?

« on: Mar 01, 2009, 01:56 pm »

I SM with one particular dance company, and in my opinion it's just like getting a job anywhere else. I started working with them based on a recommendation from a mutual colleague, and since then we have built a working relationship. They tour a number of shows throughout the year, and I am one of the SMs they use- there is one particular piece of theirs that I work on more often than any other. I started with a piece performing in my hometown, and since then have done several short out-of-town gigs with them. (Very excited- going to San Fransisco in April!).

I've been reading news articles about a strange phenomenon in the dance world right now where, due to the terrible economy, some companies are touring less and yet at the same time other companies are touring more. It depends on what their ticket sales are like in their hometown.

The company that I work with told me they are planning on touring less next year- not as many bookings.

My best advice would be to talk to people you know in the world of dance- see if anyone knows of a company who's hiring. I have recommended other SMs when I was not available for something- maybe you know someone with a connection that you were unaware of. Does someone from the dance department at your university work with a company?

And I would definitely second the idea of sending out resumes, and scouring the job listing sites that are out there.

906

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: SO MUCH PAPERWORK

« on: Jan 28, 2009, 09:15 pm »

If you have a lot of papers to keep track of that don't fit well in your book (updated script or score pages, extra dramaturgy packets, etc) I find that an accordion file can be really useful for keeping track of things.

Clear sheet protectors in the front of my book hold things that I am referencing constantly (contact sheets, schedules and calendars, etc) so that they are easy to access and/or grab out of the book quickly. I also know stage managers who have used a clear plastic clipboard for keeping track of papers, with a cast list clipped face down at the back of it (so that it shows through the clipboard for easy reference.)

I print out a copy of rehearsal reports, store them in a section of my book, and look through them each day, highlighting notes that have been taken care of. I find it a good way to see which notes haven't yet been addressed.

I also try and get rid of any paperwork that is out of date or no longer useful as soon as possible. It's so easy for things to accumulate- I keep a recycling container near wherever I'm sitting.

907

The Hardline / Re: Performing arts unions and guilds list

« on: Dec 09, 2008, 02:32 pm »

United Scenic Artists (USA)

908

Employment / Re: Location, Location, Location!

« on: Nov 23, 2008, 01:35 am »

I'm in DC as well- I spend most of my time there but do some traveling. I go out of town occasionally with an opera (right now I'm in Detroit) and also work with a dance company that does a lot of touring, although usually single-city engagements. I love living/working in DC.

909

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Stage Management Colleges

« on: Nov 16, 2008, 09:48 pm »

I think Yale requires the GRE.

910

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Best schools for SM.

« on: Jul 30, 2008, 01:34 pm »

That's a really great and thorough posting about the college search. It was interesting and informative even for those of us who have already been through the process. Thanks for the post.

911

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: When you ought to have experience but you don't think you really do...

« on: Jul 14, 2008, 07:41 pm »

I don't feel like it should "hurt" you. You had an experience, working at a particular company, and now you're moving on. Use the experience you had and learn from it, and move forward. Look for other jobs that you will learn from - ASMing is always a good way to learn, no matter what your experience level is.

Plus, working in a less-than-ideal situation often can motivate you to creatively problem-solve, and that's a big asset for SMs. Instead of presenting it as a negative aspect of your experience, you could use it to your advantage- figure out how this season has made you a better stage manager.

Just be open and willing to learn new things, and adapt the things you learn to work for you. 

912

Employment / Re: in between work...

« on: Jul 10, 2008, 10:08 pm »

One of the things I do to fill employment gaps is to "space-sit" at a theatre that I sometimes stage manage for. When one of their spaces isn't being used, they will rent it out to other theatre companies or groups, and they need to have a staff person on duty so unlock doors, answer questions, sometimes turn on equipment. It's not hard work, and I already know my way around the building, so it works out pretty well.

I've also done work for a dance studio, a documentary film festival, a non-profit arts organization, and other things- almost all of which I've found through friends, colleagues, or relationships I've developed with arts organizations over the last few years. I just make sure that the people I know are aware that I am looking for work and am open to opportunities when they come up- it's surprising how well it works out. Being open to doing other types of work helps a lot- and broadens my experience. I don't do much (if any) work that isn't arts-related in some way, and almost all of it is somehow theatre-related, even if not production work.

Maybe you could see if any of the theatres you work at have non stage management opportunities available over the summer.

913

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Timing question

« on: Jul 07, 2008, 10:06 pm »

I always take the timings each scene during the first read thru

[L]ots of people might ask you early on what run time will be - crews, box office staff, etc.

I agree- it's nice to have that info ready if asked, even if it's an approximation.

914

Uploaded Forms / Re: Show Survival Kit

« on: Jun 01, 2008, 06:02 pm »

i did something similar for a show last year- one of the downsides is a file that large can be problematic to load on a slower computer. (i had a file with a backstage runlist, preshow/postshow checklist for each crew member, quick change plot, etc each on different tabs).

for a show with a larger SM team, you could use the 'track changes' feature, and leave the file on a shared computer drive. or pass a thumbdrive back and forth.

915

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: No Smoking in Denver

« on: Feb 24, 2008, 02:24 am »

the irony....

http://www.startribune.com/local/15859722.html