The Internet

[Sarah]

I agree, Jessie, with your last two posts, and I didn't at all think you would rely solely on e-mail to communicate the schedule, nor did I intend to telegraph that I did...did I? In any event, with your permission, I'd like to add your idea of asking the actors to state their preferred method for receiving the schedule to my info form. I will always post schedules on the callboards, regardless of anyone's preference.  I think the last few posts are a good example of how electronic communications can be misconstrued just as easily as verbal exchanges. Even more so, because the lack of visual body language leaves the "listener" with fewer clues about the real intent of the "speaker."

Yes, Justin, thank god for the tech week bump. When we are doing large shows, or for example, a show like Doubt, not everyone is called all day if we start where we left off the night/day before or if a character like Mrs. Muller doesn't even come onstage until an hour into the show. So sometimes, it is different. I know it only takes a few moments to record and I certainly don't mind doing it. But, even a few moments at the end of a 36 hour weekend can seem like forever. Especially if one is supertired and messes up the recording and has to re-record three or four times, in addition to recording for the show that's currently in rehearsal. Stage managers are human, too.

Back to Kevin's original questions, though.  I've had directors ask if I could pull up a video posted on You Tube for the cast to watch as research and dramaturgs ask if I could locate a book in the university library. We use IM programs to communicate between the rehearsal hall and the costume shop, especially during fitting times. I think that SMs should, like Jessie has done, consider the best of what the Internet has to offer, and pick and choose the things/programs/resources that are most beneficial to your personal process and the production as a whole.

[Jessie_K]

For Cast:
99% of the performers I work with prefer to have the schedule emailed to them.  In fact, I rarely do a rehearsal hotline anymore. 

For some reason I feel the need to provide more details.

For larger more complicated shows, I do a hotline.  (Or if even a single cast or crew member indicates that this is their preference)

But last year 1 of the plays I did was a 2 person play where both actors lived together and 2 of the plays were one man shows.  On all three of these shows, the actors preferred a simple email reminding the what scenes to be prepared for, but a hotline was completely unnecessary.

Currently, I am working at a college and both of my casts are 100% students.  They probably would prefer that I send them the schedule via text message, but email seems a little more professional than that.

Now that more and more people have smartphones, lap tops etc, I am sure that email will become the standard in rehearsal calls.  (Never totally replacing hard copies, but probably outdating the rehearsal hotline sooner than we think)

[Sarah]

I too am at a college; our LORT D space is part of the Department and we often have MFA, and occasionally, exceptional undergrad actors onstage. Most of these students have had a computer in their primary household for most of their lives; they are very accustomed to receiving all kinds of information in this manner and some, I would imagine, depend and expect to receive info at the speed which the Internet can provide. I'm definitely going to add that option to my info form.

In your experience, what are the benefits of incorporating the internet into stage management?  Also, what are the pitfalls?

In my experience, this forum is one of the best benefits of incorporating the Internet into stage management. I have made really great acquaintances and learned loads of practical information from my colleagues.

[loebtmc]

This is a great discussion - and reinforces the 2-of-3 standard for so many other things

I worked in a theater where the (large) cast all had computers but the dept heads did not, so I had to make that nightly message w call times and scenes after every rehearsal and every tech day - and that hotline was a royal pain, especially as it always needed a second or third run at it when I was taping (for many reasons - office noise, tongue ties, running out of time etc) - when I got to theatres where email was king, I was in hog heaven!

I always make a hard copy of the daily schedule to post on the board, alongside the rough week. But I love that I get to type it once and print/email at the same time, only calling either non-computer folks or last-moment changes. It saves so much time and energy.

My SOP to see who didn't get the email is to require acknowledgment, just like on headset - all I need is that reply that says they got it, and I am a happy camper - I have a cast checklist anyway, and can note who is missing quite easily - and all those emails are deleted as they come in. The extra few moments of check/delete is worth it for the sharply reduced number of phone calls - saving me money and time (since my cell often ends up being the show contact phone).

[smccain]

When giving the cast a rehearsal schedule, I will post a copy on the call board, I will send a digital format through email, and I will give each actor a printed copy at the first rehearsal. At least in the educational theatre realm, I still have actors who forget and will show up at the wrong time, anyway. It's an uphill battle sometimes. I am a big supporter of using the Internet. Since I am stage managing at the college level, most of the actors have computers, and all have access to a computer.

Our college just recently started using Google Apps for our email client for our college email, which means that we can all share calendars. Although I am done stage managing for the season, I look forward to utilizing this feature next year in the productions.