Author Topic: MORALE: SM Olympics?  (Read 9506 times)

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vborey

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MORALE: SM Olympics?
« on: Aug 28, 2007, 04:54 pm »
My theatre company has been having a hard time lately finding qualified stage managers who are also available. I'm stage managing some shows, but my schedule is so tight that I can't do all of them. At a meeting last night, we were talking about an upcoming playwright competition and somehow got on the subject of hosting a competetive (non equity) stage manager event - something fun, but with the objective of showing appreciation for the difficulty of the field, as well as building our own database of area SMs.. I'd be curious to get feedback on the idea.

I'm thinking it would be valuable to get multiple theatre companies involved in planning the event, as it would potentially be a good opportunity for SMs to get their resumes out there. We could serve snacks, have some booths set up, Olympic events, and wrap up with some kind of award ceremony?

SM Olympic Events:

  • Scheduling Competition: contestants get 10 actor conflict sheets and have ten minutes to produce a workable rehearsal schedule
  • Diplomacy Competition: two actors have a personality conflict and SMs have five minutes to de-escalate the issue
  • Malfunctioning Set-piece Competition: a set piece breaks down and contestants have five minutes to come up with a quick repair solution
  • Other ideas?

What do you think? Would it be worthwhile to pursue this idea? If it were in your area, would you participate?
« Last Edit: Jun 09, 2009, 01:21 am by PSMKay »

lauria

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #1 on: Aug 28, 2007, 08:53 pm »
Sounds like silly fun!

What about a taping out the floor contest? I hear that they do that at USITT.

Ooo a difficult cueing sequence they have to call? Maybe based on a piece of recorded music (no stopwatches allowed!) if it can't be a short scene.

vborey

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #2 on: Aug 28, 2007, 10:58 pm »
ooh. I like the idea of taping out the floor!

We can figure out a difficult cuing sequence no problem - our space has no headset access to the 2 alternative entry points in the building, because of steel doors. We've used a complex ribbon-pull system, which would be very funny to do competetively.

BalletPSM

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #3 on: Aug 29, 2007, 12:13 pm »
I would be in! That's a fabulous idea!

Maybe a "create a Q sheet" contest?

Not quite sure how that would work...you'd have to have a pompt book pre-done with blocking and props notes and then the contestants would have to arrange the notes into a deck Q sheet or something...points awarded for completeness, aesthetic, how well a crew member can follow it, etc.

Or..."direct a running crew" event.

You're given your Q sheet with 5 different scenes that all have different set-ups, your running crew of two or three people, and various set pieces.  You have to stage the 5 transitions, rehearse them, and make each one happen in under _____ seconds.  Points awarded for flow, grace, time, how well you handled your crew (i.e., do they hate you now?)

Let us know how this turns out!  I'd love to get something like that going in my city!

Stage managing is getting to do everything your mom told you not to do - read in the dark, sit too close to the TV, and play with the light switches!

avkid

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #4 on: Aug 29, 2007, 04:05 pm »
I'll bring the PA and the play by play announcer.
Philip LaDue
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PSMAK

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #5 on: Aug 29, 2007, 04:38 pm »
How about the fastest time to spike some rehearsal furniture.

or

The fastest time to set-up rehearsal furniture for a reheasal.

lauria

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #6 on: Aug 29, 2007, 06:57 pm »
Maybe a timed event where you have to cram XYZ into small space U. Of course it would have to be done in a way that looks organized and takes up the least amount of room. So points go for the neatest, smallest, and timeliest cramming.

wtcsrstaph4life

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #7 on: Aug 29, 2007, 07:24 pm »
diplomatically dealing with problem actors. points for quickest time, and not killing the actor

rocco

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #8 on: Aug 29, 2007, 09:22 pm »
blocking notation. a five minute scene done once, and have to get down as much blocking as possible...
 ;D
great idea...

Mac Calder

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #9 on: Aug 29, 2007, 10:08 pm »
I have seen (and participated in) a competitive blocking competition before - 3 people with letters stuck on their front and back, 4 major prop pieces (two tables, a bookshelf and an ottomon), and 4 minutes, put to a song. The actors were given 4 major tasks each, which the SM's are kept unaware of - like sit on the down stage op corner of the table, or pick up the telephone and one point was given for correct notation of each of those key tasks. Another 8 points were given for general completness

I think it was one of the hardest things I have ever done - for the record, I came 3rd out of 8. Great fun though

vborey

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #10 on: Sep 02, 2007, 11:07 am »
These are some great ideas! Thank you!

It sounds like we're definitely going to go ahead with this for next summer! It'll be fun - we'll get a panel of judges together and do it up as an event.

Now, for event names... what do you think..

Stage Manager Olympics
Iron Stage Manager
Xtreme Stage Manager


Tempest

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #11 on: Sep 02, 2007, 11:52 am »
I like Iron Stage Manager, myself!
Jessica: "Of course I have a metric size 4 dinglehopper in my kit!  Who do you think I am?"

Fisheje198rm

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #12 on: Sep 10, 2007, 03:32 pm »
communication issues with international or  DEAF.... hehehe   must resolve within certain amount of time and understand the point... 

rule... no writing/typing... thats all   <snickers>
« Last Edit: Sep 10, 2007, 03:40 pm by Fisheje198rm »

LiLz

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #13 on: Sep 12, 2007, 03:24 am »
I've watched the Tech Olympics at USITT and it's hysterical!  If you hold the event please take pictures and post them!

How about having something go horribly wrong with a prop or costume as an actor is about to make an entrance?  Who hasn't had to face the staple/glue/tape-please-god-let-it-hold moment?  That might be good for a chuckle.

I hope you'll keep us all updated! 

Lilz

vborey

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Re: SM Olympics?
« Reply #14 on: Oct 30, 2007, 10:19 am »
Oh, we'll absolutely take pictures!