REHEARSALS: Timing question

[jlux]

I'm stepping in as a stage manager on a show, and we're about to begin rehearsals. I haven't actually worked as an SM since I was in college, and even then -- though I always enjoyed it -- not very much. So forgive me if this is an obvious question:

I'm getting my paperwork ready, and as I make my timing chart, I was wondering -- when do you find it helpful to begin timing scenes? Do you try to get a sense of the running time even in the earliest rehearsals, or do you wait until the director starts running through the scene? If you do run thru a particular scene more than once in a rehearsal, so you time every run, or write down an average? Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

[MatthewShiner]

It depends on the need of the shows.

Is there a quick change or scene change you are worried about the time?  Then start timing from the read thru. 

Otherwise, i would wait for runs.

[klcurrie]

I always time the first read just to get a sense of where we are starting.  Then I usually don't pick it up again until we are running chunks.  Unless, like Matthew said, there is something specific, like a scene change or costume quick change that needs to be timed all the way along.

[nmno]

I always take the timings each scene during the first read thru (it will change but it's usually a pretty good indicator).  I will often note the time on the top of each page (or pass this off to an ASM if necessary)...  Basically, as I turn the page, in the top left corner I note the time...  I've found it to come in handy.

Once in rehearsal and running scenes, I'll time for specific issues (scene, costumes changes, basment crossovers, etc.)

[ljh007]

I always take the timings each scene during the first read thru

I agree this is the best starting point. Grab your estimated running time and go with it. As nmno says, it will certainly change. But lots of people might ask you early on what run time will be - crews, box office staff, etc. It is far better to let them work with an approximate time than to leave everyone guessing until a week or so before opening.

But  I also work in opera, where the SM is usually timing to 0:10 seconds weeks before rehearsals even begin...

[Maribeth]

I always take the timings each scene during the first read thru

[L]ots of people might ask you early on what run time will be - crews, box office staff, etc.

I agree- it's nice to have that info ready if asked, even if it's an approximation.

[MatthewShiner]

but do be careful who you give this information out to.  A director maybe VERY concerned about the run time of the piece, and may not want the box office, market, etc, to know what the run time is.

[jlux]

Thanks everyone -- this is helpful. We're also in an interesting situation where we had to establish a running time before we began rehearsals, because we're part of a festival who needed it for programming reasons, so we're going to have to be very careful to stay within our original estimate.

This board is a great resource. I've been reading back through old posts, looking at people's paperwork and everything. Quite a wealth of info. And the disagreements are great too -- helps to reinforce that every SM and every show works differently and that it's important to stay flexible.