Offstage > Homework Help

(Homework [Help) Me!]

<< < (3/3)

Branden:
So, interesting point here; I suppose this really depends on the kind of organization or company you're working for, but let me give my two cents from a corporate perspective.

This kind of situation is more likely to arise in a corporate setting. The last few year I found myself working for a large corporation, and the cast mainly consisted of 16-22 year old kids who were working there as their first job. Naturally, some of these kids didn't know how to handle themselves outside the protected academic environment, so teen drama ran rampant.

Anytime you have an inkling of something like this going on, you want to get it OFF your plate. If anyone comes to you in any aspect to inform you that they're uncomfortable because of another employee you immediately tell Human Resources. That's what they are there for. 9 times out of 10 HR will resolve the situation. I've seen them terminate and escort employees off property within five minutes in these situations; they do take it seriously.

Now, in an academic setting, or a freelance setting, I'd apply the same principle. If it comes to you, get it off your plate. You weren't hired to handle these kinds of issues, especially when it comes to minors. I would call the highest person you can immediately if it involves minors an sexual harassment or child abuse. Whether that is the Producer, President of the Board; jump as high as you can in the chain of command.

Your job is to ensure the well-being of your cast within reason. Never be afraid to admit something is over your pay grade and get the Producer and the authorities involved.

megf:
It's interesting to note how important the alleged offender's role is in these situations.

A volunteer behaves inappropriately - they are quickly excused from their responsibilities, by whoever is empowered to do so. Ten minutes of conversation, and no paperwork. In terms of the money spent to assess and resolve this matter, it's a few dollars' worth of time.

An adult cast member behaves inappropriately - they are brought to a meeting with one or more supervisors (HR/CM, possibly SM, GM, PM, Guardian or Wrangler... the possibilities are endless, depending on the institution.) It is determined the cast member will be released. Paperwork is filed. The understudy is called, and advised to prepare. The cost of replacement can be high: buyout for early termination may be 1-4 weeks' salary, the crew will have additional work hours for a put-in, and there is a possibility of cast and crew OT for an unexpected rehearsal.

An adult staff member behaves inappropriately - what if it's a stage manager? How much can a company invest in resolving this situation? Let's say it's a professional, non-profit company, doing a limited run - so there's little opportunity to make money off ticket sales. The SM in question has no one trained to cover their track (it doesn't really matter if it's a deck track or the calling position.)

Does the producer require the SM to remain apart from the company at all times, and do ONLY the required tasks that keep them isolated from the company? Paging, paperwork, reports, silently supervising or calling cues with no side conversation are all allowed. Attendance at official or unofficial social events, and visiting the green room or dressing areas, are strictly forbidden. Sounds pretty toxic, but it's "free" in terms of cash expenditure.

Does the producer hire a replacement SM, and have them train as fast as possible while the outgoing SM is closely supervised?

Does the producer release the SM on the spot, and hope that the replacement can hit the ground running without hurting the show?

How much disruption can the institution and the show handle, and how much can they spend to do it?

These are not questions we, as stage managers, have to answer, but as we move up the ladder in terms of the alleged offender's position, finding a resolution grows more complicated and costly.

We are also expected, of course, to make things work - even if they are a less than ideal... for the sake of the show, because the "perfect" solution is simply too costly, because there are only 3 weeks left in the run, etc.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page