PROFESSIONALISM: What to do when you sign on late?

[kallulah]

So I've been asked to come in on a production as their stage manager in the middle of production. 

I have a lot of catching up to do and I just wanted to know, what are the most important things I should ask for besides contact information?

cast info, rehearsal times, production meetings, mid-production meetings, meeting cast and crew, getting the script in order, etc.

I will be doing all these things in a matter of 24 hours.  How can I make this as easy and stress-free as possible?

[planetmike]

I recently came in late to a production that was already in rehearsal. Learning new names (cast of 25ish) is tough, since they all already know each others' names. Missing out on the blocking already done has also been tough. The director or a cast member will ask me where a question, and I have to respond, "I don't know, I wasn't here when you ran this scene." It's also been tough retraining the cast to contact me if there is an issue they are used to calling the producer. We had a production meeting last week, which did help me a lot. Getting very familiar with the script was a huge help as well.

[dewitt]

You can do it! I once took over a musical after it had been through 1st tech. The previous SM had a nervous breakdown and quit.
The first thing I did was get familiar with the safety issues of the facility and production.
It turned out that the 2nd biggest problem was their inter personnel issues. Once I figured those out during the 2nd tech I was able to help get the production back on track. It wasn't until 1st dress (my 2nd rehearsal) that I even got to deal with the cues. I was fortunate that the previous SM had left behind the script and some of the paperwork so I didn't have to start from zero.
Do you know anyone involved in this production? Sometimes a little personal insight into the way things function can be just as helpful as concrete paperwork. It sounds like you are on the right track with your plans. Keeping a positive attitude and a can do spirit will help you maintain a stress free transfer. Please let us know how things turn out for you.

[kallulah]

thanks for the advice.  I just found out they're still in rehearsals and there's one week till showtime.  So that'll give me sometime to get my sealegs.

It's also a kid's show!  Never done one of those before, so we'll see how it goes.

I'll keep y'all posted.

[loebtmc]

you might check PSMKay's SM challenge, this was a problem she threw out somewhat recently and there were some interesting responses that may be of service.

Either way, paperwork, eyes and ears open, and patience patience patience.

break a pencil

[kallulah]

double thanks.

So we're doing Cabaret!

It's a 27 person cast....all TEENAGERS!

And they don't want me to call the show.  They want me to do everything else an SM does, except call the show.

Instead they want me backstage running exits and entrances, which is just fine.  It will be the first time I don't see a show as an SM. 


Post Merge: May 14, 2010, 01:12 pmI looked through PSMKays SM challenges and I couldn't really find anything that pertained to my position.

As I expected, having heard a few things about these people, I'm already having trouble getting information I need from them.  I think in the last 24 hours I've asked and reminded them to get me the contact information and rehearsal schedule (which seems to be the only thing they have on paper) and they haven't gotten it to me yet.

I also asked them for a contract because I've been burned before.  They said they'd take care to do it, but I'm starting to think I should draw up the contract myself.

Any suggestions?

[loebtmc]

assuming this is community or school theater?

Give them - and yourself - a date when a signed contract is a deal-breaker. In the union, we are taught not to start until we have a signed contract in hand (but with many theaters we get thru prepro without one). And find out what your duties and their expectations are. If you are doing SM duties, then make sure they let the cast know what you're doing, and you need to find creative ways to get the info you need without being demanding or officious. Humor is a great weapon. Logic is a great weapon. Is there already info collected that you can cull from? for example, I ask everyone to give me an emergency contact form, on which they agree to allow certain info to appear on lists, and I compile my final contact and back-up phone numbers from that.

[kallulah]

assuming this is community or school theater?

It's actually a conservatory.  Kids with rich parents putting on an expensive amateur production.

[kallulah]

Besides the high stress level of not working in my usual element, I'm actually having a lot of fun on this show.  I think it's the youth that are rejuvenating me. 

The show is high tech, high fog, heavy costume, and just too many characters.  I can't fully extend my arm without touching someone else's shoulder. 

They have me running the show from backstage which is awkward for me because I've never really functioned backstage.  Constantly running left and right, chasing down actors, pulling away mackers and shushing to no end. 

Just not used to it.  Used to my comfortable little booth, where I can watch the show and manage onstage disasters while my ASM deals with the chaos. 

It's a weird show, but still having fun

[kallulah]

Well.  The show closes tonight and I must say I had an interesting, fun, exhilirating, stressful, amazing experience, and I think I would do it all over again.

And, because of this show I've been offered an opportunity to work on quite a hell of a show in November with a very great name down here.  So I'm just summoning up the courage to accept the position and all the stress that will come along with it. 

Here goes nothing!

Thanks for all your advice!