SM Over The Head

[MatthewShiner]

So, a recent situation has arisen . . . I am at a weird junction is that I know both sides of the story.

A PSM, let's call him Jake, was hired to do a new musical at a regional theater . . . and Jake has been with the show from workshop phases, for many years - long before a theater or the level at which the show was going to be producer.  Jake had put a lot of work into the show, and it was, in everyone's opinion, the right thing to let Jake continue with the show.

Very quickly the physical production grew - size and scope of the show - and Jake was very excited to be working on such a dynamic show.  Then the show hit tech, and it became very apparent that Jake was out of his element, and was in way over his head.

I know both Jake, the director and the production manager . . .

Jake felt like e could eventually handle it, but was just not picking it up and working as quickly (and thoroughly as the Production Manager would like) - and he was not able to call the show as precisely as the director would like.   Many options came up - do they let the SM go, bring in an more experienced SM to come over Jake, do they dumb down the show (make it easier to call)? 

There was a lot of pride in Jake's handling of the situation . . . he didn't ask for more help as the show grew, he was perhaps too stubborn in his dealings with people trying to help.  The production manager could also be at fault for knowing where the show was going production wise and allow Jake to continue on with the show.

How would you handle it if you where in this situation?

(Jake's situation played out okay  . . . the show was simplified a bit, and a lot of the tech time was eaten up by "calling rehearsal" - and a lot more dry tect time , and everyone is walking away a bit smarter . . . perhaps . . . )

[SMrose]

I would have the Production Manager handle the calling of the show (presuming the PM has expertise in this area) and the original PSM handle deck.  At some point, an ASM learns the deck and the PSM sits with the PM and learns the calling of the show--watches and trains in bit by bit.

[MatthewShiner]

Sadly, the PM was not an AEA Stage Manager . . . and truly the size and scope of the budget would not easily allow another AEA contract due to money $$$ (not to mention the PM was filling in a lot of the SM duties over seeing the deck for a complicated show . . . )

Again, everything on this show was exasperated by too small of a theater (too young of a thetaer) trying to do something too large.

[loebtmc]

Again, everything on this show was exasperated by too small of a theater (too young of a thetaer) trying to do something too large.

That's the key, I think - producing over their abilities. But in this case, similar to some situations I've experienced, I'd have moved the SM to the deck "because he knows the show better than anyone else" and moved someone with more tech experience into the booth. You can often call a show without knowing it intimately, but less so a deck.

Guessing there was no AEA ASM? In which case, well, less experience with high tech shows translates to either more dry tech time, or a different SM, unless they catch on quickly. But good on them for keeping him thru the various incarnations, because normally that person is left in the dust, bitter and muttering about fairness and opportunity.

[MatthewShiner]

But good on them for keeping him thru the various incarnations, because normally that person is left in the dust, bitter and muttering about fairness and opportunity.

Yes, but here is the one time it back fired on the producers . . . I think it's lesson to learn that sometimes the development PSM may not always make the best PSM in production.  So, if you get passed over on a production it might be good to remember this.

I think that's is also a good lesson that not every stage manager is right for every job.