Hi guys...thanks for responding. Sorry it took me so long, I haven't had a computer for a while lol
MissLiz- Our show is pretty much all volunteer, which gives them no reason to cut any corners when it comes to positions. I've spoken to the director about everything that I could possibly think of on the subject of "training actors", ESPECIALLY with mic use (lol because we all know someones going to screw something up at some point lol). His reaction was "Yes, I will train them." I find this hypocritical because last year, he told me that "It's not our job to train them! We shouldnt' have to train them!" So I was kind of ticked off about that.
Tempest_gypsy- Thanks for your imput. I totally agree with you. Yes, they will learn, but will they remember the little things that an SM is suppose to remember...I doubt it. We had lots of problems last year with batteries dying on us very quickly, and I was running around trying to find spare batteries (because another person on the lighting crew moved them on me)...so if that happens while I'm on stage, there's going to be mega problems! I also explained to him that, yes, we could work without a crew...but you need someone back there who has authority and who knows what's going on. He didn't agree with me. I dont know what else to say to him...it's like he's one sided on this while I'm seeing both sides.
Loebtmc- I completely agree with you on knowing what a stage manager brings to the production. I live by the saying "You dont know what you have until it's gone" and I think they'll learn this lesson this year. Like I said above, we need to have someone with authority back there that actors can run to with problems because there will be problems. If they have no body to run to, there's going to be a mass panic in the back. And that's never good.
Centaura- Yes...I like your suggestion. Problem is, I've done that lol. I've brought him all the possible situations that could possibly happen back there and he just seems to not understand how a simple problem can turn into a big one without someone back there as an authoritative figure. He will also be acting, so I guess hes thinking that he'll be that person. But he's already said he's taken on too much in the past and doesnt want that kind of thing happening again. Well, I've given him the situation... it's either him taking on too much, or it's me because of our positions. But I doubt I'll ever be able to fully step out of my SM mode while there and Ill still be taking on partial responsibility back there. I honestly dont know what's motivating this change. I've SM'ed this show for the past 3 years, which leads me to believe that It's me they had a problem with. We aren't paid, we're all volunteer and I know that in past years the crew hasn't be reliable...but I made sure that last year, the crew was, so it couldn't have been a bad experience. When you say that he might be trusting the cast more, I feel that he's putting too much on them. They're performers, not crew members...and...no offense if you're a performer (because I am... and I know this for a fact) but performers can be pretty darn clueless when it comes to most of this stuff...so something mega bad must have happened last year that really flipped him over the edge. I just dont know what it is!
Posted on: August 26, 2009, 10:14:49 PM
I should also add that last year there was an incident backstage that happened between me and this director....and he wasn't the director that year. He's a board member who make decisions. I live by this rule that states "Position over Rank"...and when I'm back there, I believe that my position is higher than his in the middle of a show.
He saw one of my crew members not working (or so he thought) and he went up to her and told her that she wasn't doing her job and that she had to get out there and move stuff off the stage. He then came to me and proceeded to yell at me in the middle of the performance that my crew members were unsatisfactory and they weren't doing their jobs properly. So, I'm the SM. I dont care what position you hold before the show. Back there, he was an actor/singer. Therefore, I became the very agitated SM and told him exactly where to go, not only because he tried to take my position, but he also, under no authority, yelled at my crew members without me present!
I'm sure that would have put a dent in our relationship, but it didn't apparently because we're still very good friends both in and out of the theatre. So, this might have had an impact, but I dont know. He told me that it didn't...so it might just be my lack of confidence in myself coming out. Dont know. But I shall be talking to him because his decision is ridiculous.
He'll be pulling double duty or I will...simple as that.
Point number two: I dont trust actors with anything. And I'm an actor too...so I know lol
EDIT: Merged double posts. In the future you can add to a post using the "modify" link in the upper right hand corner. -PSMK