Author Topic: "How to get a job as a stage manager"  (Read 7424 times)

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missliz

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"How to get a job as a stage manager"
« on: Dec 17, 2009, 10:28 am »
My (SM) friend stumbled across this and I wanted to share:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2341622_get-job-as-stage-manager.html

Personally, I got as far as "it'll earn you a lot of cash" before I decided this was probably not a great idea. But thought maybe you'd get a laugh out of it!
I personally would like to bring a tortoise onto the stage, turn it into a racehorse, then into a hat, a song, a dragon and a fountain of water. One can dare anything in the theatre and it is the place where one dares the least. -Ionesco

BLee

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #1 on: Dec 17, 2009, 11:53 am »
"You will need to purchase a first-aid kit when you are hired"...

Really? I mean, I have one in my kit just in case, but I guess I never realized that a first-aid kit was a job requirement...or that I should be bringing my first-aid kit to my job interviews. I knew I was doing something wrong...  ::)
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cprted

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #2 on: Dec 17, 2009, 12:21 pm »
Who knew it was so easy!

missliz

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #3 on: Dec 17, 2009, 12:28 pm »
"You will need to purchase a first-aid kit when you are hired"...

Really? I mean, I have one in my kit just in case, but I guess I never realized that a first-aid kit was a job requirement...or that I should be bringing my first-aid kit to my job interviews. I knew I was doing something wrong...  ::)

I just imagine showing off the contents of your first-aid kit in an interview- "and HERE is where I put band-aids..." "ah, yes, excellent decision" (scribble scribble)
I personally would like to bring a tortoise onto the stage, turn it into a racehorse, then into a hat, a song, a dragon and a fountain of water. One can dare anything in the theatre and it is the place where one dares the least. -Ionesco

centaura

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #4 on: Dec 17, 2009, 02:13 pm »
Quote
It is helpful to have prior experience in stage managing before pursuing a job stage managing a production, but it's not always necessary.

Wow, you mean I can get hired by walking off the street?  I think there are a few volunteer theatres that would take anyone off the street and make them the stage manager, but I can think of very few paying theatres that are going to do that.

-Centaura

maximillionx

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #5 on: Dec 17, 2009, 02:25 pm »
Hah, excellent find!

Tempest

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #6 on: Dec 18, 2009, 01:39 pm »
Oh, wow.  Just wow.  I think my brain is twitching.

Who wrote that?  And did they get paid, lucratively?
Jessica: "Of course I have a metric size 4 dinglehopper in my kit!  Who do you think I am?"

hbelden

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #7 on: Dec 18, 2009, 06:29 pm »
"Difficulty: Moderate"  Ya think?  What could be easier that this?

LOL  Three easy steps - 4 and 5 are the extent of the job description, after all.

And all this time, I've had my lighting and sound queues the same color!  :)

Time to check out the "related" articles and see if any are useful or laughable!
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SMrose

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #8 on: Dec 20, 2009, 12:37 pm »
That's all it takes? And the job description ends at step 5?  I guess I've been doing far more than I should be as an SM...like...calling the show! (among so many other duties) :o

loebtmc

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #9 on: Dec 20, 2009, 06:07 pm »
someone brave needs to post a response to this delusional job description before a slew of innocents show up on our doorsteps with no skills, expecting to make a good living!


centaura

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #10 on: Dec 22, 2009, 12:28 pm »
I tired to, but you have to sign up for the site which I refuse to do.

-Centaura

loebtmc

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #11 on: Dec 22, 2009, 03:04 pm »
Yeah - I had carefully typed something when I realized that = am considering signing up and then un-registering after - more to help innocents than to put her down - it scares me that someone might actually believe it (producers as much as young SMs-to-be)

KMC

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Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"
« Reply #12 on: Dec 22, 2009, 03:27 pm »
My favorite part of the article is:

Quote
Things You'll Need:
"Backstage" (a trade newspaper)
Large binder
Access to a copy machine
Office supplies
First-aid kit
Email account

Unfortunately I only have a medium sized binder, I guess I can't be an SM...  :-\
Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action. -T. Roosevelt