These are all really interesting comments! I admit - i'm a newbie to SM (or PSM?). I've done 2 shows recently, and a few back in college. Sounds like i'll be SMing again coming up in a few months - Lion in the Winter. The nice thing is that I'll have an ASM for it, but more out of necessity. (I will also be running lights for Pirates of Penzance, which closes a week before Lion opens, so I will be away for at least tech week for Pirates, so someone needs to fill in for me to SM Lion in the Winter.) Golly - i hope that made sense.
Anyway, it's interesting to see the dynamics of the different positions, what is required of each, etc. These are things to file away in the back of my head once Lion in Winter approaches. Fortunately, my ASM is in the show i'm doing now, and she's eager to learn, we get along well, etc. I think we will be a nice team.
i will continue to read this thread for more ideas over the next month or two!