MUSICALS: SM Duties During Vocal portions of Rehearsals for a Musical?

[planetmike]

Howdy,

I'm stage managing my first musical. The next several rehearsals are 100% vocals with the music director. I've just been showing up at rehearsal, taking attendance, calling the people who are late for the call. I made some misc. notes at the first all-music rehearsal. For tonight's rehearsal, I left after about an hour. Was that a mistake? Should I be staying throughout the entire rehearsal? I really don't have much to contribute, there isn't any blocking to record, the assignments of singing parts have been made. If I need to be present at the entire vocal rehearsal I can do that. But I'd think sitting in the back working on my computer would be more disruptive. Could I work in an adjacent room? Or do I need to be in the same room as the cast? Thanks for your thoughts, Mike

[Britney]

I like to attend all the rehearsals (especially if you're just getting to know the cast) so I can make sure everyone gets there on time. I also think it helps the actors realize you're there for them (again, if you're meeting them for the first time).
I'm always there just in case something comes up and you don't want your Music Director to have to deal with it.

Generally, I don't sit in the room with them. I work in an adjacent room and poke my head in to check up and give them appropriate breaks, but other than that I keep to myself.

That way, I can get work for the show done and the Music Director has someone to turn to if something gets out of hand, the actors are late, or he/she has a question about the show.

[Mac Calder]

I would suggest you stay. Maintaining artistic integrity is not only about maintaining the blocking, it is also about the vocals. The director or MD may give notes on phrasing etc which the actor may later try and change, and these are the sorts of things you can pick up fairly early on (because they are often the sorts of things the director will have to rehash a few times with the actor).

There is also the fact that as SM, you really should be present at all rehearsals, unless there is a conflict (ie understudy rehearsals at the same time) or you have been doing far too many hours a week (ie they are rehearsing 60+ hrs a week in small groups) - that is when you might need to think about dropping rehearsals

[Celeste_SM]

I always stay for all the music rehearsals. I usually just work on my computer, away from the piano, but within earshot. I track any changes or cuts that are made, and any solos that are assigned as they happen, and I remind about breaks if the musical or vocal director doesn't give them on their own.  Sometimes I just end up reading a book or something, but as SM, it's my job to be there and to be a consistent presence and support to the artistic staff and cast.

[BalletPSM]

It's also a great opportunity to learn the music of the show for yourself, particularly if you don't have a musical background and/or don't know how to read music - since once you get into choreography/blocking/staging rehearsals, you'll be focused on getting all of that down.  It's only going to give you more tools and more confidence when it comes time to run tech and call the show.

[RuthNY]

This is one of the best reasons to attend all music rehearsals.  Generally, by the time you are done learning the music you should have a really good idea (even without a designer present) of where many of the light cues will be placed.  (Music changes, buttons, etc.)  You'll be able to anticipate even more of them once you see the attached staging and choreography.  And if you have worked with the designer before and know his/her style, you'll be way ahead of the curve at Tech.

It's also a great opportunity to learn the music of the show for yourself, particularly if you don't have a musical background and/or don't know how to read music - since once you get into choreography/blocking/staging rehearsals, you'll be focused on getting all of that down.  It's only going to give you more tools and more confidence when it comes time to run tech and call the show.