Messages

1

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Natural Disaster vs. Rehearsal?

« on: Apr 02, 2009, 05:32 pm »

Update: contrary to what I believe/want (which happens to not matter so much since I'm a student), we are postponing our production of "The Producers". We are having a "Follies" type show on April 30th featuring some scenes and numbers from "The Producers" and we will actually perform it as the first show in our summer stock program, Straw Hat Players. Everyone is still guarenteed their roles, whether or not they are in Straw Hat.

This makes me sad

-Katie

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Natural Disaster vs. Rehearsal?

« on: Mar 31, 2009, 03:28 pm »

Thanks again everyone! I've been reading all your posts and keeping everything in mind. I actually don't think the campus is closed (except for today...) just that classes are cancelled. The staff has been asked to come in and work this week if possible. I do think the students shouldn't have to drive all the way to campus when they are asking people for no unneccessary travel in town. I talked to the Assistant Director and she is back in town and can take some notes for me until I get back, so I'm not quite as worried. I will keep you updated on how the show goes.

-Katie

And yes, the director is Craig...

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Natural Disaster vs. Rehearsal?

« on: Mar 30, 2009, 04:51 pm »

Thanks so much for replying! We cannot cancel the show. We've spent too much money and put in too much time already. We're renting half the set from Minneapolis and it's already paid for. The cast is awesome and I know they can step it up and learn the show in a few weeks. Plus, it's a pretty easy show to block. The hardest part is the choreography. As for going to the department chair about this director - he IS the department chair. The problem isn't the rehearsal space either, the campus is one of the highest places in town, so it's safe. Trying to get to campus may prove to be a problem, with sandbag trucks driving around and 7" of snow still lingering on the roads from last week's winter storm. I was mostly wondering how bad it is that I'm not there and the director doesn't seem to care? Also, I forgot to mention, this is my Senior Project, along with some research, but doing the show is the biggest part. I received an email from the director with the rehearsal schedule for this week. He wants to call the entire 31 person cast Wednesday and Thursday but dorms don't open again until April 5th. Personally, I think it's pointless teaching something to the few people that could show up and have to re-teach it to everyone else later. I guess I just have to take things day by day and take as many notes as I can when I get back...

-Katie

4

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Natural Disaster vs. Rehearsal?

« on: Mar 29, 2009, 07:12 pm »

Hey, this is my first post so I figured I'd introduce myself and then ask my question. My name is Katie and I'm a Senior at Minnesota State University Moorhead. I am a technical theatre major and just got into stage management recently. Currently, I am Production Stage Manager for "The Producers", which opens April 22.

My question involves some explanation: If you haven't been watching the news, Fargo/Moorhead has been fighting a record flood by the Red River. We had our Spring Break March 16-20 so rehearsal was on hold until the 22nd. Because of the flood fight, classes were cancelled day by day for the full week after that. We had rehearsal Sunday the 22nd, then Monday and Tuesday. Our director lives close to the river and thousands of volunteers were still needed, so rehearsal was cancelled for the rest of the week. On Friday, I evacuated my basement apartment and the students of MSUM were all asked to evacuate and the dorms are now closed until April 5th. Classes will resume again on April 6th. It is now Sunday, March 29 and the director texted me, saying he wanted to have rehearsal tonight. The SM, ASM, and Assistant to the Director are all out of town. Half the cast was evacuated from the dorms. I can't even get back into Fargo because of some road closures. He has decided to rehearse with a small group of people, without me. He told me they will be blocking some of Act II, but I doubt anyone will be there to take any notes.

How do I deal with a director who doesn’t care if his stage manager is present at rehearsal or not? Isn't the safety and wellness of the cast and crew more important than rehearsal in a time like this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
-Katie