Messages

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!

« on: Apr 09, 2013, 10:17 am »

I'm looking for a copy of Avenue Q (the full version, not the high school version).  Please send me a message if you can help me out.  Thanks!

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!

« on: Jun 29, 2012, 12:53 pm »

I'm looking for the scores and/or librettos for The Producers and Songs for a New World.  PM please and I will send you my email.  Thanks!

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The Green Room / Re: Introducing the Unicorn Rainbow Sparkly Theatre Company!

« on: Jun 14, 2012, 02:06 pm »

All interior spaces will be disinfected and dusted daily so that they remain dust and germ-free.

The scene shop and prop storage room shall remain organized with complete and accurate inventory lists so that you can always find the right tool or prop at the precise moment you need it.  Both are equipped to expand as necessary to accommodate building and storage requirements.   

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!

« on: Jan 19, 2012, 02:54 pm »

I'm looking for Social Security by Andrew Bergman and Songs for a New World.  Please PM me and I'll send you my email address.  Thanks!

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Seeking suggestions

« on: Jan 17, 2012, 11:00 am »

Nunsense would be another good option... I'll think about it some and see if anything else comes to mind....

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Seeking suggestions

« on: Jan 17, 2012, 09:29 am »

Do you have any casting limitations?  Small cast?  Large cast (i.e. need to have a chorus)?  Female heavy?

In the meantime, I'd suggest Songs for a New World, Into the Woods, or Anything Goes.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Working with a younger cast

« on: Jan 15, 2012, 10:37 am »

I worked on a production of Annie last year as the SM and had no ASM, so I could only be in so many places at once and during the productions I moved set pieces and props backstage. 

Don't be afraid to ask for a second set of hands to help "babysit."  Depending on the amount of time they are actually onstage, having someone to wrangle the kids, help keep the kids quiet and out of the way when they aren't onstage, etc., can be a great help.   A few of the mom's volunteered to sit backstage with the kids to keep the quiet during the run of the show.  (A word of caution:  try not to pick a stage parent or parent who puts a lot of pressure on their kids as it can add to the nervousness...)  It was immeasurably helpful to not have to worry about them getting into trouble. 

For rehearsals, encourage them to bring books, homework, and other quiet projects for them to work on.  Keeping them entertained is key.

The one thing I was not expecting was for 10 year olds to bring cell phones to rehearsal.  And no matter how many times I told them that the phones had to be turned off, there were days when phones would ring.... or they would sneak into the back of the theatre and play games (which would inevitably have sound effects)... which got a bit frustrating.

Most of all, be patient.  It's easy to get frustrated and lose your cool, but remember that they are kids and just want to have fun.  So do what you can to make things fun but keep things professional and rehearsals running smoothly at the same time. 

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The Green Room / Re: Nudity and Sensitive (Sexual) Material

« on: Nov 04, 2011, 11:36 am »

I would be happy to help!

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The Green Room / Re: One of those days.

« on: Nov 01, 2011, 03:18 pm »

"This too shall pass."

My Great-Grandma used to say this all the time and it rubbed off.  A few years ago my mom found a little wooden sign with those words on it and I've found it helpful to have the visual reminder. 

Find whatever mantra works for you and write it down somewhere where you will see it... by your desk.... in the booth... even on your hand... it can do wonders for a bad day...

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Onstage as an SM

« on: Jun 17, 2011, 03:53 pm »

I probably should have mentioned before that it's in a smaller non-union house where normally I would run the light and sound boards from the booth at the back of the house and not actually have to "call any cues."  In fact, the current show I'm working on doesn't even have any crew members.  (There are two actors and they are onstage for the entire show.  The next show will feature 3 actors and they are onstage most of the time as well.) 

We haven't started blocking yet, but I'm assuming that I will have a little bit of freedom to not necessarily have to be onstage the entire time.  The stage isn't very big, so hopefully I'll be able to see everything, even if it is from a different perspective.

I don't mind being onstage.  The director did ask my permission before he "cast" me.  Now, I'm just trying to figure out all of the implications for rehearsal/performances, as it will definitely be a new experience.  At least I don't have to remember any lines!

BlueRidgeSM - The idea of having to call cues from the grid sounds like a unique and intriguing experience!  Did you enjoy it?

Thanks for the tips so far!

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The Green Room / Re: TEAM BUILDING - Part One - The Assistant

« on: Jun 17, 2011, 10:53 am »

Being able to pick your dream ASM is like picking your own superhero sidekick.*

I second what tempest gypsy said.  I would add the following:
1)  Your personalities should not only mesh, but compliment each other.   You want them to bring something new to the table; their strengths should supplement yours, not necessarily be identical. 

2) The ability to take constructive criticism, as well as learn from and own their mistakes.  They should be proactive in fixing the problems, not the first to pass blame. 

3)  You have to trust them as well their work.  They should be watching your back while you are watching out for everyone else. 


*cool costume and awesome nickname are optional

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / CALLING: Onstage as an SM

« on: Jun 17, 2011, 09:51 am »

For the next show that I am stage managing, I will actually be onstage.  There's a non-speaking character in the script that acts as a cameraman/technician, so instead of casting an actor, the director has decided to have me do it and actually run lights/sound from the stage.  I don't have an ASM, will have only one or two crew members who will deal with the props.  (There is a lot of food involved and there will be food fights on the stage.)  I was wondering if anyone had ever encountered a similar situation and had any advice/suggestions.  Thanks!

Edit to subject line-Rebbe

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The Green Room / Re: LINKS: Simple desktops

« on: Jun 14, 2011, 01:01 pm »

Just what I needed to brighten my day!  Thanks! 

14

The Green Room / Re: Future

« on: Jun 08, 2011, 02:55 pm »

I too am "avoiding" work duties, but I thought I would take a minute and share a bit.  My undergrad degree is a double major in theatre and political science and then I went on to law school.  (Unfortunately, I had to take a medical leave in the middle of my first year.  I haven't made it back, but I currently work in an administrative capacity in a law firm during the day while I take on various theatre projects in the evenings.) 

That being said, it is possible to go to law school with a degree in theatre.  And it's definitely good for conversation.  People are constantly amazed when I tell I have a background in theatre and political science.  (I also know people who have gotten political science degrees who worked both in the theatre department and after they graduated with professional companies as stage managers, so you don't necessary need a theatre degree to be able to continue with theatre after college.  Experience can help fill that gap.) 

However, both stage management and law can lead to demanding careers.  Especially in your first year of law school, it's near impossible to do anything else except focus on law school while you are in school.  After your first year, you should be clerking or interning during your summers and/or during the school year.   So don't expect that you will have much free time to participate in theatre while you are in law school.  There just aren't enough hours in the day.  (I'm sure that it's possible and there is someone out there who will have proved me wrong, but generally speaking that's how it is.) 

I'm not sure what you plan to do with your law degree, in terms of what kind of law you want to practice, etc., but I can tell you that the associates in my firm (we deal mostly with civil litigation defense) work long hours, evenings and weekends.  It's not exactly the kind of job where you are guaranteed to be done every day at 5.  (Plus law school is expensive, so you have to make enough money to be able to pay off your school loans.)

Anyways, I hope that's helpful and not too discouraging for you.  Ultimately, you should do what you love and finds ways to make things work.   If you want to talk more, feel free to send me a PM.  I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.  And now I really must get back to work.   

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Laptop help

« on: May 11, 2011, 09:39 am »

I would like to reiterate what kmc said about portability.  If you would like to embrace the use of all this new technology as a stage manager and take your laptop with you to rehearsals (and take it with you to class for taking notes) then keep in mind everything else you will have to be carrying around with you. 

I recently bought a new laptop and in my search for the lightest laptop I could find so I could take it to rehearsal as well as use for playing online/PC games (which apparently is an oxymoron and I got a lot of weird looks from store reps), I spent a lot of time going to different stores and literally picking up every single laptop.  (just remember that the ones in the stores won't usually have batteries in them, so you'll you need to account for an extra couple pounds, especially if you want an extended life battery.)  Even though I ultimately bought it online so that I could customize it more (it's pink with a speedy video card and an extended battery), it was nice to actually see the different options and test them out.

Chances are, you are going to use it for far more than just stage managing, so it's important to think about all factors and strike a balance.  (For me, it was balancing a good video card with portability.  For you, it might just be portability.  Or maybe there's a specific software you like that's only available on one of the platforms.  Or maybe you have an iphone and want to take advantage of it's magic syncing capabilities with a MAC.  etc.)