Hello all my fellow stage managers and manageresses,
I'm an experienced PA and ASM off-Broadway, but am starting my first Equity SM job at a small theater in Cape Cod. Through my experience as a PA I'm familiar with everything that happens once rehearsals start, but it's the prep work that I'm struggling with.
For example, I'm meeting with my director for the first time on Tuesday. We start rehearsals on Wednesday, but due to his schedule and the fact that he's coming in from out of town we won't be able to talk before this meeting. We've already exchanged emails regarding the calendar, and his agenda for the first day.
That being said, I'm still not sure what questions I should be asking at this first meeting, and I really don't want to start out looking inexperienced. I know what they say, "there are no stupid questions", but in this case it's less about me looking stupid than it is about him feeling like I'm not going to have my shit together, you know? I want him to feel reassured in my abilities, not hesitant.
So, here's what I've got on the agenda so far:
-Specific rehearsal props he'd like to see that are not in the script
- Policy on visitors to the rehearsal hall
- how he'd like me to signal him in regards to breaks
- safety issues within the text- ex. one of the actors hangs upside down for 20 minutes. how are we going to do that?
- fight rehearsals- we have a fight choreographer coming from NYC to work with us, and I just want to put that on his radar
- setup of rehearsal hall ex. direction of chairs, would he like a music stand, etc
What else? anything anyone can think of? I mean, as general as possible, or as specific as necessary. I'm sure that I'll think of things as we're talking, but I'd rather be prepared, you know?
Thank you so much in advance to any and all who respond, and talk to you soon!
~V