Messages

1

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Bows

« on: Aug 19, 2007, 01:37 pm »

We receive a hand gesture to the booth as acknowledgment to the SM/Crew... but that's about it.  Everyone is right by saying if you're looking for the credit, you're in the wrong job.  You just have to know that you've done well and know that you helped in making sure that the show was a complete success... that's the way I look at it.  I kinda take the audience appreciation toward the cast as my bow or acknowledgment... the applause and/or standing ovations are of course for them, but I know that I had a hand in that... and knowing that the audience enjoyed the show and that it was successful is the only bow you need.

2

College and Graduate Studies / Re: SM Colleges

« on: May 15, 2007, 03:01 pm »

I just say to pick out the strengths and weaknesses of both programs, talk to students and professors, visit the schools, and then make the best decision based on the information you have collected.  Also, I encourage you to look at other schools - dont limit your options to only two places.  You may find that neither one suit your needs.

3

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Help With Highschool SM Work

« on: May 10, 2007, 02:42 pm »

My advice would be to take a long, hard look at this forum, especially the Students and Novice section.  There are hundreds of posts regarding all of these things, and you can look at what everyone says (while also adding your own opinion of course) and find the answer that fits best.  There are other forms specifically dedicated to other people writing SM Pamphlets and Booklets for their schools, which could also benefit you.  I think your greatest resource would be to use this forum the best you can to find answers to these topics, and then if you need something specific just ask and hopefully we can all help you out 

4

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: New Poll: Students and Stage Managing

« on: May 02, 2007, 11:01 pm »

I know how that feels! Sometimes I am so overwhelmed... with school full time, another part time job where I work 20-25 hours a week, and then I'm always doing a show (right now I'm going into tech for Beauty and the Beast and am about to rip my hair out!) ... I just wanted to make sure I wasn't alone 

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Pre-strike

« on: May 02, 2007, 10:36 am »

Usually what I do before the technicians come in to strike the set is to make sure that all props are picked up, all spike tape is removed from the floor/set, all set pieces that can be removed are taken off the set, and that everything is picked up and moved out of the way. I usually do several walk-throughs of the set and make sure that everything I can move and get out of the way is taken care of.  Obviously you can't do this until the show closes, but this is what I do before the technicians come in to actually take down the set.  At my company, we usually close a show on Sunday and take care of pre-striking after the show so that the technicians can come in on Monday and just take the set down.  If you go ahead and get the little stuff out of the way, the technicans or students or whoever can just come in and worry about the set.  It saves time because they aren't standing there waiting for you or someone else to get other stuff out of the way.   

6

Students and Novice Stage Managers / New Poll: Students and Stage Managing

« on: May 02, 2007, 10:28 am »

I'm in school full-time and in the middle of final exams and also in the middle of tech week.  I just wanted to see how other students felt during this crazy time of year!

7

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: First Tech Rehearsal

« on: Apr 28, 2007, 07:49 pm »

Just stay calm and focused under pressure.  Your cast will be looking to you for support and believe it or not, your mood can completely change the attitude of the cast and crew.  Just relax, stay organized, and make sure that everyone is on task and doing their job.

8

Tools of the Trade / Re: Vista and Microsoft 2007

« on: Apr 25, 2007, 05:16 pm »

I still have to run Office Programs, but God Bless my Mac.

9

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Eugene O'Neill Internship

« on: Apr 17, 2007, 03:28 pm »

I've heard great things about the O'Neill.... so I would definitely take advantage of that!! And even if it isn't all you hope it to be, at least you'll gain great experience and hopefully be able to take a lot away from it. Congratulations 

10

College and Graduate Studies / Re: NC School of the Arts

« on: Mar 16, 2007, 06:04 pm »

Growing up in North Carolina, I've heard all about NCSA from a variety of people.. former students, current students, professors, you name it.  Bottom line? Welcome to boot camp.  They do not treat their students well, especially the ones who are in the high school program.  I do have friends that are currently in the dance program, and although they are getting a great education, they have a lot of complaints.  Students have no free time (granted, I know that every program is rigorous and you don't get a lot of time, but the stories I've heard from students is a little mond-boggling.)  They don't have a SM program, and although they do have a technical program, it's not as well known as their acting/dance area... they definitely stick to their own and don't have a whole lot to say to people who are looking into the program... I looked into it at first and was immediately turned off.  They do have a good network and a great reputation, but the negative things that I've heard from a variety of people doesn't balance it out to me.  I'm personally not a fan of the school, but if you are really interested then I would look at more information and definitely talk to the current/past students to see what you think.

11

Tools of the Trade / Re: Keeping Spike tape down...

« on: Mar 14, 2007, 11:29 pm »

I do clear duct tape sometimes, and I also use clear packing tape.  Clear packing tape has a tendency to come up, especially if you are doing a show with a lot of dancing, but it's good for shows that don't involve a ton of choreography or a huge cast.

12

The Green Room / Re: Things You'll Never Hear a Stage Manager Say

« on: Mar 14, 2007, 11:26 pm »

I have to say this is the best thread I've read all night.

Thanks everyone.  After a realllllly longggg final dress rehearsal, this is just what I needed.

Here's my contribution.

"Oh.. I'm sorry.  I didn't realize that was my responsibility."

"Spike tape?  What's that?"

"Masking?  Don't worry about masking.  We can just let the audience see everything.. they won't care."

"No thanks,  I don't feel like doing call times tonight.  Hopefully the actors will just show up in the right place at the right time."

13

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: DSM Help

« on: Mar 14, 2007, 11:13 pm »

Definitely check out other threats in the forum about Prompt Books.. there are several of them out there with a variety of information, all of which providing more insight about what belongs in a SM book.  Check out this forum and Tools of the Trade for some great information.

14

College and Graduate Studies / Re: BA or BFA

« on: Mar 14, 2007, 11:11 pm »

I  am in the process of finishing my BA and wouldn't have it any other way.  I was also able to double major in a foreign language, which I wouldn't be able to do if I went for a BFA.  Those "regular college classes" definitely help more than you think... I've learned a lot of things in my Basic Studies classes (the ones that don't pertain to Theatre or my other major) that are just as important.  BFA's are great, but you also want to show that you know other things and have a well-rounded education.

15

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Injured during tech?

« on: Mar 05, 2007, 10:46 pm »

Well... here's my embarassing story.

I was cleaning out my car two days before tech because it was an absolute disaster.  I was sitting in my back seat and reached up to grab my keys out of the ignition, and heard a great big pop.  I pulled my back out, couldn't move, had to crawl to the inside of my house, and had to lie down in one position for almost 24 hours because I couldn't even move.  It was the most excruciating pain I have ever experienced, and all I could think about was how I was going to get through tech.  Everyone kept pushing me to go to the doctor (I still haven't by the way.. I know.. I know..) but I was scared to find out what had happened.. so after laying in my bed for a whole day with a heating pad across my back, I just started moving and getting up.. and I don't know if if it was adrenaline or drive or what the case was, but I kept pushing myself, bit the pain, and forced myself to get up and start moving around.  It was seriously the most painful thing I have ever experienced.  I ended up having my ASM do a lot of stuff during tech, but I still contributed and got everything I could done... I couldn't bend over or anything but I kept pushing myself and it worked!  So.. that's my crazy story.  You would think that a SM should be invincible or something during tech week...