Slightly Nervous, Advice and Words of Wisdom Please?

[crazychicksj]

My next show definitely isn't my first but I'm slightly nervous about my ASM. Not only is you older than me but she's highly more experienced. I feel like I should be ASMing for her not because of age but because of her previous experience. I'm not opposed or nervous about asking her questions or for advice and I've already told her this is my second college production; what I'm nervous about is how she'll feel working as my assistant when she seems to be better equipped to stage manage.

[Scott (formerly Digga)]

How do you feel about being the Stage Manager on the production?  Are you comfortable in your abilities to get the job done?  If the answer is yes, then you should be the SM.

I understand your reservations about the situation.  Working with someone that has more experience can be daunting but it's not a bad thing.  Stay confident in your own abilities and you shouldn't experience any issues with your ASM.

[MatthewShiner]

Working with an experienced asm is a blessing.

I think to often we get hung with I am the SM, your are the ASM, that is the PA - if you are smart, in my opinion, you are team, and having strong, strong people on the team is what you want.

[Scott (formerly Digga)]

Working with an experienced asm is a blessing.

I think to often we get hung with I am the SM, your are the ASM, that is the PA - if you are smart, in my opinion, you are team, and having strong, strong people on the team is what you want.

Bully!  Well said.

[loebtmc]

Absolutely - I have enjoyed helping young SMs learn and also been grateful for strong and capable ASMs who could step in while I had to deal with one crisis or another. I recently ASMd for a friend returning to SMing and needing a right arm for reference and support. Unless they have attitude about you being the SM, this is a GOOD thing.

[chops]

I have always enjoyed hiring those who are more qualified than myself.  It shows confidence in your leadership ability and gives you many resources to fall back on. 

[LCSM]

As long as you and your ASM both respect eachother there shoulden't be a problem. From what you said it sounds like this is the case and your willingness to ask questions and learn from her should make it a smooth ride. Good luck!

[Sarah]

Indeed. I once worked with an SM who was slightly younger than me, but never let me forget that <gender unspecified> was the SM and I was the ASM. Stress the "A." I wholeheartedly concur with previous posters who have stated that 1) experienced ASMs are a blessing and 2) teamwork is the key. I also love learning from those more experienced than me. I always have something to learn. I hope I always get to work with someone from whom I can learn, even if it's what not to do.

[DeeCap]

Oh how I would love to have an experienced ASM.

I'm sure that she has learned from her experience she will treat you with respect that comes with your position.


I'm sure that you know what a valuable team (emphasis team) member she will be.

Is your backstage crew young? Perhaps she can use her experience in teaching the crew the ways of backstage.

[MarcieA]

Oh how I would love to have an experienced ASM.

I spent most of this past year wishing for that exact same thing!

The 2nd to last ASM i worked with is older and far more experienced that I am, but you know what: she's now a great friend, sees me as more of a professional equal and we've been passing around work to each other since our show closed.

Don't get hung up on age. Learn from them, and they can learn from you. When I SM, I try very hard, as previously mentioned, not to get hung up on who's #1,#2, etc. There's a reason that we're often referred to as the SM Team. What the ASM does is every bit as important as what the SM does on a daily basis!

[crazychicksj]

The worst possible thing happened- she quit... during the audition process. Over not being paid when I get a stipend. She thinks she should be paid because she has worked professionally before. This is educational theatre I'm lucky if I'll ever see a dime from it. 

[KMC]

Just curious why she is expecting a salary in educational theatre.

Many of us paid for experience in school - I'm sure plenty out there can relate!

[DeeCap]

The worst possible thing happened- she quit... during the audition process. Over not being paid when I get a stipend. She thinks she should be paid because she has worked professionally before. This is educational theatre I'm lucky if I'll ever see a dime from it. 

Soon you might be able to say "the best possible thing happened.."
Better to have her quit now than to have her walk out on you before tech.

[PurrKitten]

Not sure if my 2 cents can be counted as words of wisdom, but I am just starting as an ASM in an educational production, and I don't expect any payment or stipend.  I've been paid as an SM in community theatre before, but I certainly don't expect it in the theatre department in college.  I'm doing it for the experience, and like a previous poster mentioned, I have the pay for the tuition for the experience.

Maybe you are better off.  Except now you need the help.  Bummer.   

[Libby]

My question: Didn't she know it was unpaid when she took the job? Did she leave because she was offered money somewhere else, or was it because she found out you were getting a stipend?