Intro GO

[soonjung]

Hello!

My name is Elizabeth. I am a budding stage manager in Boston and just got hired to SM my first professional show. I believe I am unique (and a little crazy) for deciding to become a stage manager now, in my mid-thirties. My previous theatre experience is nearly all lighting with a teensy bit of sound, but I never quite felt like it was exactly "my thing." Starting now has been quite challenging, but I've loved every moment of learning.

In other parts of my life I'm fairly geeky: I have a favorite d20, will watch anything Joss Whedon puts in front of me, and have Definite Opinions About Office Supplies. I'm told this last thing tends to run in the blood of stage managers, so perhaps this really is what I'm meant to do.

I have appreciated all of the information on this board over months of lurking, but feel that now, with my first show as SM on the horizon, I will finally have more to contribute. Looking forward to getting involved in the community!

[PSMKay]

Elizabeth! Hi!

You'd be right that getting into SM in your mid-thirties is unique, but far from crazy. You'll certainly stand out from the crowd, and in an industry where maturity is a major factor it could work in your favor if you play your cards right.

Out of curiosity, if your main theatre experience was in lighting and sound, how are you doing with the personality-handling and show maintenance aspects of the job? How are you working to develop on that side of the job?

Thanks for reading us all this time. I'm hoping that you've pent up a bunch of advice that's all going to come out in a torrent now, so don't let me down.

[soonjung]

Well, to be honest, I don't have a lot of experiences in "actor management" yet! I have studied conflict resolution and mediation for other things, though, so I hope to apply those skills as an SM. I've found that as PA/ASM I've often been a bit of a go-between, so I feel like my biggest challenge will be adapting to the greater authority and earning the actors' trust, but also respect.