Blindering
The ability go about your day as if wearing horse blinders. A necessary skill for SMs to develop. Examples:
- Opening the broom closet to find Mercutio sucking face with an ensemble member, and--without missing a beat--reminding them that they're going to be late for the company exercises, taking a broom, and closing the door behind you.
- Crossing a dressing room full of mostly-naked people of your chosen gender, stopping only to grab Marat's puffer, remind a [naked] actor to hit his mark ("It's a tricky lighting cue, and if you're off by even just a foot or so, the audience can't see you..."), and walk right back out again without even noticing the nudity.
Shuttupping (shut-tupping)
What SMs do when forced to have a conversation for which they don't have time, but the other person's standing/stature/emotional state prevents them from abruptly ending it. Lots of one-word answers, lots of sentenceswhereallthewordsruntogether, lots of emphatic nodding...
Producer: "...so, anyway, how are you doing?"
SM: "Fine."
Producer: "That's great. Say, did you get the e-mail I sent you about the request from FoH to add another late call after intermission?"
SM: "Yes."
Producer: "Fantastic! I hope I'm not keeping you from anything important, but between you and me, do you think you'll be able to help them out? Stacey from facilities had a real jerk of a patron last night who wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, so we had to scramble up the security guard, and we'd really like to avoid that situation in the future. It's not the first time, either, and I wouldn't be talking to you about this if it wasn't important, because I know you're a busy person, and we really do value the work you do for us here. Do you think you can help us out?"
SM: "Probably."
Producer: "That's great. That's really great. You know, you're really a valued member of our team..."
Shouldering
When a blessed soul rescues someone else from a conversation they don't have time to have.
Producer: "...and I really wanted to make sure you understand just how much we value your input into our operations. We're even thinking of bringing you in on staff meetings! You've contributed so much to our organization..."
Production Manager: "Oh! Hello, [Producer]! Hi, [SM]! Say, [Producer], if you're not too busy can I speak with you in my office? Is now good? [*wink at SM*]"