Hello fellow stage managers,
I am a long time looker, first time poster here on the SMNetwork. I am currently about to finish up my freshmen year at Coastal Carolina University, in Conway, South Carolina, in the BFA design and technologies program ( with a special interest in stage management and lighting design). I dream of getting to travel the world on cruise lines working as a stage manager and/or a lighting designer for the ships productions, or traveling with Cirque Du Soleil.
As per the rules, time for an amusing tale. Earlier this year i worked as an ASM for my colleges production of Into The Woods. One night our fly rail operator was on stand by to fly out the birds in the opening scene, as he began to fly them out, they would not move from their location. After the birds stayed down for an extra few beats, I was given the call to get the birds out by "any means necessary." So i gave a run crew member my pocket knife, informed him to run to the top of the fly rail and cut the pick line as i stayed behind a portal, ready to catch the birds as they fell. The birds were cleared off stage in just a few moments and the rest of the act 1 went on seamlessly. During intermission i went to investigate the issue more and found that the fly rail operator was pulling from the wrong pick line. He instead was trying to fly the giant's glasses out, which were already completely out. The birds were reattached by the beginning of act 2 and the remaining show went of just fine. The fly rail operator was so upset and embarrassed however afterwords, he now laughs about it though, we take it as a lesson to always double check your pick lines.
