Author Topic: Broadway/West End: DSMs  (Read 3942 times)

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Mike555

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Broadway/West End: DSMs
« on: Dec 27, 2006, 03:50 pm »
Hi, i have been given an assignment from college to research 2 DSMs.  They need to be famous (ish) to be able to research and MUST be DSMs.  They don't have to be near where i live, so can be anywhere and MUST be alive!

If anyone can help by giving some names, it will be a massive help.

thanks
mike
« Last Edit: Feb 11, 2008, 01:10 pm by PSMKay »

ChaCha

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Re: DSMs
« Reply #1 on: Dec 27, 2006, 07:15 pm »
By famous I imagine you mean they should have already had extensive and varied careers including working as DSM for large scale/well resourced productions?

I expect there are a few lurking around the boards!
ChaCha

Mac Calder

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Re: DSMs
« Reply #2 on: Dec 27, 2006, 09:10 pm »
Famous - unlikely.
Infamous - maybe.
Renowned - much more likely.

DSMing is not exactly a role that brings fame and fortune. There are no Tony's for "Best theatrical stage manager" or "Best called 40plus cue sequence during an up-tempo dance number", and most of the Great Unwashed do not know what an SM is. Maybe a DSM shot his/her cast or something (hence, infamous) - but my mind is not turning up any names. However there are a number of renowned SM's floating about here, or other places on the net.

smsam

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Re: DSMs
« Reply #3 on: Dec 28, 2006, 02:27 am »
Ditto what Mac said. As a DSM you look for neither fame nor fortune, if you are after either of those two things then you are definitely on the wrong side of the production desk! As such you won't meet any famous DSMs. You will however find some very well-known (within the industry), respected, renowned DSMs.

I guess you are in the UK (because of the use of the term DSM and your post on another forum I've seen) so I would start looking to speak to DSMs working at the NT (i.e Royal National Theatre), RSC (i.e. Royal Shakespeare Company) and then regionals like Bristol Old Vic, Donmar, Royal Exchange etc. Most of the people who word in these circles are very well known in the industry. Depending on what particular style your looking into however you might also want to have a look at West-End Musicals (Mamma Mia, Lion King, WWRY, Evita, Marry Poppins etc.), Operas (WNO, ENO etc.) or Ballet/ Dance (Rambert, ENB). If you PM me I will be able to forward some names onto you BUT if you feel like finding out some more on your own contact these companies yourself and I'm sure they will not only forward you onto the correct people but they'll also be very helpful!

Sam
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Mike555

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Re: DSMs
« Reply #4 on: Dec 28, 2006, 11:42 am »
I know you can't get famus for DSM.  meant by that someone easy to reasearch.  someone there will be a fair bit of information for.

Mac Calder

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Re: DSMs
« Reply #5 on: Dec 28, 2006, 05:17 pm »
Again, still not likely. I mean you could try researching the authors of some well known stage management books - Lawrence Stern for example wrote a good blurb about his career in his book, or you could run down to some of the larger companies around your area and conduct interviews, or you could try and conduct interviews with some online SM's.