Messages

1

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: RUNNING: How do you decide when to cancel a performance?

« on: Apr 17, 2011, 11:56 am »

the only person who can be blamed for this is the producer. We have cancelled shows sometimes due to 2 or 3 people only in the audience, but it depends on the production. When we rent out the place, we continue no matter what. But, when it's one of our season's equity shows, we'd cancel, mainly because the power is in our hands, and equity does allow for these things.
other times, we do cancel because of bad weather, like this horri le storm blew in one night, and we had to cancel closing night - fire marshall's orders. But we did plan an encore performance the next week.

2

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: RUNNING: No stage manager?

« on: Apr 17, 2011, 11:49 am »

I'm the resident SM and TD of a small equity theater in northern NJ, and for some shows, we rarely have SM's. The director has the blocking written down, gives to and meets with the LD, and the SM is mainly there - if ever - as a police officer. Then, when we get into tech week, the director calls the show - or sometimes not even - and the SM sits backstage dealing with curtains, props and sc. changes. It is a very unusual and unorthodox way of doing things, but some places do it.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REHEARSAL: Duties during acting exercises, movement, vocal work, etc.

« on: Oct 05, 2010, 09:35 pm »

I often take notes  on what is done during this time, usually on what is accomplished. Then, when actors can't understand something the director says, I can reference the exercises.
Also, once paperwork and general attendance is finished, I take pay close attention to what is being instructed.. You never know when someone throws in a blocking note.
Generally, I always find it helpful to take notes on vocal or movements that are taught. But I draw the line at choreography. Recording choreography, I have determined, is the responsibility of the choreographer or dance captain, and is of no concern to me. If they are learning dance, then I have some (well deserved) time to relax.