Author Topic: MORALE: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?  (Read 35660 times)

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J

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Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?
« Reply #15 on: May 19, 2008, 02:31 pm »
I may just be a boring old stage manager, but I don't usually give gifts at all.  We're all here to do a job, and opening night is just another part of the job.  Every once in a while, for something really special, I may give thank you cards, but I never buy gifts.  And like many of us, this is our job all the time, so opening is just another day (except for the free booze---now that's nice!)

I doubt that tax preparers give each other gifts come April 15th, or that after doing inventory grocery clerks give gifts.  Just my 2 cents.

MatthewShiner

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Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?
« Reply #16 on: May 19, 2008, 05:15 pm »
You know I am not a big gift giver to cast or crew, but to my staff - the rest of the SM team - I do feel like getting something special to them.

Even in the regular business world, the completion of a big project often comes with a bonus - I can't always pay my staff what the deserve - but a nice card or gift card at opening shows a little appreciation.


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spikesgirl

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Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?
« Reply #17 on: May 21, 2008, 06:00 pm »
I'm inclined to give the cast and crew each a rose opening night, but it really depends upon the size of the cast and crew.  I've worked with smaller shows recently and we've gotten really close.  I always try to pamper the crew and try to get a midshow pick-me-up gift (which is cheap and silly - like some of those favors that you get for kid parties.) and then something a little more personal for closing night (we run four-six weeks). 

I also tend to bring in brownies and cookies throughout the rehearsal process. 

However, these are my choices and a SM is not expected to do anything.  It is entirely your call, but I've never had any problems with my cast or crew.

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yoyomankind

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Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?
« Reply #18 on: May 27, 2008, 03:51 pm »
 I am usually in the situation where gifts are the last thing on my mind come opening night.  However, when working on crews, the best gift that I've seen is a small bag filled with an assortment of candy.  It is a very easy gift to make, just buy a handle of different bags of candy, mix them all up, and make a small bag for each member of the production.

bbdanigrace

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Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?
« Reply #19 on: Jun 29, 2008, 04:28 pm »
Unless you're Martha Stewart or have a baseball team-sized crew of crafty people willing to be at your beck-and-call before opening night, chances are you do not have the time, energy, brain-power or creativity to do this. I have always had great intentions to do gifts, but have never actually done it for entire casts. It's hard enough to do cards. In your down time after a show closes and before you start rehearsals for your next one, a cute idea would be to just go to the dollar section of Target and get a little stash together of cute little things so you have them in the future, but even that's stretching it.
someone mentioned brownies/cookies, and if you have any inclination to baking, this is a FANTASTIC idea...particularly during tech break. i find it's always a little scary to bring food on opening night, as a lot of people seem to forget that whole "don't eat in costume" thing.
« Last Edit: Jul 05, 2008, 02:05 pm by bbdanigrace »

LCSM

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Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?
« Reply #20 on: Jun 30, 2008, 05:45 pm »
I don't tend to do gifts for opening night (like many have said, it's one of the last things I have time for), but I generally bring in something simple that I've baked at the start of tech week. I find that's a good time to do it because a) you still have time and b) everyone likes a little pick-me-up around then. Also, that's usually the time when I'm sitting down and organizing/rewriting my script so I can work on that and have things in the oven at the same time.

sarahbear42

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Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?
« Reply #21 on: Jun 30, 2008, 06:43 pm »
I -always- do something for my cast and crew for opening night, and something for crew on closing.

I do find myself less and less willing to spend a lot of time on it, though, recently, since I've realised that I've only ever gotten one or two reciprocal gifts from cast members, and never anything from anyone on crew. It may sound a little petty, but it does kind of hurt the feelings when people leave you out.

I don't do cards, though. I don't like anything where I might be seen as giving/writing more for one person than for others.

wheatwheat9

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Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?
« Reply #22 on: Jul 02, 2008, 04:47 am »
to show the crew my appriciation (because i am only in high school and our crew members usually can go unnoticed), i bring everyone together the night before opening and we make necklaces together.
one person is assigned to make a necklace for someone else and they have their names and their jobs on them.
i suggested doing this to our old SM and now that i'm SM, its our little tradition.
we also take this time to do other crew traditions like paint our nails black.
“Perhaps, therefore, ideal stage managers not only need to be calm and meticulous professionals who know their craft, but masochists who feel pride in rising above impossible odds.” - Peter Hall

neon stars

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Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?
« Reply #23 on: Jul 05, 2008, 01:19 am »
I usually write a quick note on some nice paper or a card to the cast. No presents or anything because I can't afford to buy for everyone and wouldn't be fair to just buy for a couple! :)

 

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