Author Topic: Festivals?  (Read 3286 times)

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Zoiy Grockle

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Festivals?
« on: Mar 05, 2007, 10:56 am »
Hi! I'm a high school senior, and I've been ASM for our drama club for the past two years. Today, the director asked my if I would be willing to SM for a festival that's coming up in April. Our school is doing two one-acts.

Mainly, my question is, is there a big difference between doing shows for festivals and regular shows? I'm going to a technical workshop (more of an information session) for the festival next Tuesday. Any advice on what I should be asking/finding out?

Thanks!

KC_SM_0807

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Re: Festivals?
« Reply #1 on: Mar 05, 2007, 10:38 pm »
I may be wrong, but I really don't think that there is much difference.  In a "festival" situation, you may have to do different shows that require different cues and scenic elements, whereas in a regular show you are only dealing with one show.  I would just wait until you get more information... find out what shows/pieces you will be working on, what needs to be done for each piece, if the pieces are going to be back to back or if you are going to have breaks between,  etc... but overall I think it would pretty much be the same thing.
"Perhaps, therefore, Stage Managers not only need to be calm and meticulous professionals who know their craft, but masochists who feel pride in rising above impossible odds."

ljh007

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Re: Festivals?
« Reply #2 on: Mar 06, 2007, 08:10 am »
It sounds like for your two one-act presentations, there wouldn't be much difference between a "festival" and a regular show. Larger festivals can offer dozens of shows performing in rep, often spread out over many venues. Stage managing (or production managing) these major events can be really exciting but also pure insanity. Usually the word "festival" implies performances held in the summer or outdoors. There are some other great posts around this site about SMing an outdoor show (don't forget bug spray!). But for your particular production, festival just sounds like semantics to me.