Author Topic: SCHEDULING: When do you start getting involved with scheduling?  (Read 3877 times)

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Maribeth

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Curiosity question. When do you start getting involved with creating/adjusting the rehearsal schedule for a show? Prep week? Earlier?

MatthewShiner

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Usually prep week, but sometimes on specific projects earlier.

Depends on when I am brought on board.

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Anything posted here as in my own personal opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer - whomever they be at a given moment in time.

Branden

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Seconded; it depends when I'm brought on board.

Sometimes, as the PSM, the General Manager will tell me when opening night is, and how many previews I am allowed, and I work backwards from there. Other times, a PM has already laid out a general schedule and I only do the day-to-day scheduling and adjustments.

I prefer to have made the schedule myself, but we can't have our cake and eat it too. :D
Branden Scott Stewart

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Annie

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I've had a few directors lately who prefer to completely make their own schedule. It always throws me a little bit but I guess they know how they work better than I do.

That being said, generally I start building the calendar in prep week unless it's an unusually large show with an unusually large cast. I also build it backwards starting with opening night, however many previews, and working from there.

dallas10086

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I'll get the season calendar before the last season ends with requests for notes, especially to see if there's any train wrecks coming (we have a PACKED season...it's kinda ridiculous). Because of family obligations I try to push for rehearsals I'm managing to end by a certain time so I can have my son. They're sympathetic but it doesn't always happen, especially if rehearsals have to be in the evening due to student cast members. Sigh, work/life balance is hard!

workinhard853

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I usually work with the director on scheduling during Prep week, but sometimes I only get an outline of when they want to start and stop from them at that point. Usually we don't get into the detailed schedule until just before we start rehearsals and if I'm lucky I get more than the first week schedule from them at that point.
I'm also working at a place which has a set system that they have used for rehearsals from years and are nervous to stray away from so I am constantly trying to get them to see that we don't usually need a full day for Sitzprobe

 

riotous