1
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!
« on: Jul 02, 2013, 01:47 pm »
I am looking for a copy of The Philadelphia Story... Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! 
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
Pages: [1] 2
2
The Green Room / Re: Things Stage Managers Say
« on: Apr 30, 2012, 01:34 pm »*Actor shows up to night 3 of a 12 night run, wearing a cast on his arm*
me: "EDWARD ALBERTO RAFAEL M... WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR ARM!!!!"
Ed: "I got into a fight with a table, the table won"
me: *death glare*
I can totally relate! Only my first words were:
"That's not period..."
3
The Green Room / Re: SM: WORST THINGS
« on: Apr 19, 2012, 10:55 am »
Looking at that is physically painful!
In case it has not already been confirmed, I think we were those kids who went missing from their parents in the store and, instead of being found in the toy aisle, were located in the paper aisle with arms full of supplies crying because they discontinued our favorite writing utensil... or maybe that was just me...
In case it has not already been confirmed, I think we were those kids who went missing from their parents in the store and, instead of being found in the toy aisle, were located in the paper aisle with arms full of supplies crying because they discontinued our favorite writing utensil... or maybe that was just me...
4
Tools of the Trade / Re: iPads
« on: Apr 04, 2012, 04:51 pm »
Not the best for actually writing everyone's blocking in, but I LOVE the Rehearsal 2 app! I type my blocking in the script after rehearsals, so I convert it into a PDF as soon as we are finished blocking and upload it. Its great for notes you can even add sound clips and pictures, I also run the show from it... Love this App!
5
The Green Room / Re: The Great SM Gift List
« on: Nov 16, 2011, 11:40 am »
Personally, I'm hoping for an ipad. I'm digitizing my work more and more and think it'd be helpful in the rehearsal room.
If you get one, you must get the Rehearsal 2 App... it is actually for actors, but I think I would be lost with out it...
6
The Green Room / Re: "The Wind Beneath My Wings" or "With a Little Help From my Friends"
« on: Nov 14, 2011, 01:12 pm »
My Mom is number one on my list of people. She is always there for me in whichever world I am living in at the time. She understands that theatre is my oxygen and never makes it hard on me. She listens and supports me. She brings me food when I am too tired to open the cereal box and she knows if I am not at work or the theatre, I am probably sleeping, so she waits for me to call her.
My Dad, who doesn't understand, but supports me anyway. His favorite story to tell is how he went to see a show on April 14th (he is an Accountant) just because I built 2 chairs and painted a wall... He also makes mad Sam's Coffee Runs!
I have the greatest crew in the world. They work hard and try to make things easier on me, with little to no argument. I have props people to die for and the most level headed ASM, and I would be lost with out them.
Then there is my dog, Othello, who lets strangers take him to the bathroom in the middle of the day and still loves me when I get home at midnight.
Its good to stop a minute and count your blessings. I really needed that today, on the night of our first audience, when I might be a little psychotic...
My Dad, who doesn't understand, but supports me anyway. His favorite story to tell is how he went to see a show on April 14th (he is an Accountant) just because I built 2 chairs and painted a wall... He also makes mad Sam's Coffee Runs!
I have the greatest crew in the world. They work hard and try to make things easier on me, with little to no argument. I have props people to die for and the most level headed ASM, and I would be lost with out them.
Then there is my dog, Othello, who lets strangers take him to the bathroom in the middle of the day and still loves me when I get home at midnight.
Its good to stop a minute and count your blessings. I really needed that today, on the night of our first audience, when I might be a little psychotic...
7
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROFESSIONALISM: Getting Angry
« on: Oct 26, 2011, 11:23 am »
So, I know as SM's we are supposed to be able to deal with the hard stuff in a cool and collected manner, and it is important to be fair but still stern. We are more or less referees in the way we deal with problems and keep everything moving. We are not supposed to be irrational or blow up. But...
Does anger ever get the better of you?
I am doing two shows at present. I am closing one where I am an actress and rehearsing one as SM. My ASM is filling in for me on the days I am performing (and is doing a fantastic job). All is well. The problem is that I have worked with many of the cast before, and that we are all pretty good friends. We are also very sarcastic in nature. When in a show, I keep my sarcastic and joking comments to myself because it is not professional to belittle your actors. They however do not, which I feel is disrespectful to me. I know there are threads about working with friends, but it isn't just that.
At the beginning of every show I hand out a list of 10 rules... most of which are common sense (wear appropriate shoes... don't talk in the space... Turn off your cell phones...). One of the rules is "Do not touch any prop that is not yours." At this theatre, we do not have a rehearsal space and if there is not a constructed set we often use the stage on the current shows off nights. One of my props in the current show is a vintage card table. It's my prop I can touch it. In the show I am rehearsing, we needed a table for down stage, since nothing crazy was happening, I decided this card table would be fine, stating that it was a prop, that I alone would touch it and guarding it with my life. We had been doing this for 2 weeks.
Last night, an actor decided he would hide the table from me while we were on a break. Which annoyed me, but more than that I felt like the rules were being broken (to date this is my 4th rule that has been blatantly ignored by someone multiple times). After we ran the scene and I recovered the table, I announced in a calm stern voice that because we cant respect the props of others, from this point forward and until we moved into the space, we would not be working with a table. To which, said actor mumbled loudly "Fine, We don't need a (profanity) table" and every ounce of cool I had was gone. The next time we ran the scene I took out paper and a pen to substitute for that actors prop application which he uses at the table and less calmly announced that since we didn't need a table, we were going to start using table specific props. He continued to ignore me. I stood Picked up the paper and put it back into play. The Director made him use the Prop the next time we ran it.
By the time this interaction was finished, I think the tension in the room was beyond cutting with a knife. After I had calmed down I felt bad for getting angry when I should have been calm and stern. Just because I wasn't yelling, that doesn't mean my attitude was any less inappropriate. I have had this problem with this actor before and we have already had the "I'm your SM, not your friend" conversation in past shows.
He and I discussed it privately after rehearsal. We both explained why we were so irritable, discussed how we could have handled it differently and apologized. Another actor apologized to me for being in the room when the table had been taken. I also apologized to the director for losing my cool.
I feel really bad. I have always said I am good at what I do. I believe you never stop learning, but I think I am a good SM. This situation has made me question that. I don't know what to do now. Should I apologize to the rest of the cast? Have a global "I am your SM, not your friend" talk? Explain the rules, since we are incapable of following them? I don't see them again until Monday, will it even be worth it then? How do I get them to listen to me? Is this what parents of teenagers feel like? I need help...
Does anger ever get the better of you?
I am doing two shows at present. I am closing one where I am an actress and rehearsing one as SM. My ASM is filling in for me on the days I am performing (and is doing a fantastic job). All is well. The problem is that I have worked with many of the cast before, and that we are all pretty good friends. We are also very sarcastic in nature. When in a show, I keep my sarcastic and joking comments to myself because it is not professional to belittle your actors. They however do not, which I feel is disrespectful to me. I know there are threads about working with friends, but it isn't just that.
At the beginning of every show I hand out a list of 10 rules... most of which are common sense (wear appropriate shoes... don't talk in the space... Turn off your cell phones...). One of the rules is "Do not touch any prop that is not yours." At this theatre, we do not have a rehearsal space and if there is not a constructed set we often use the stage on the current shows off nights. One of my props in the current show is a vintage card table. It's my prop I can touch it. In the show I am rehearsing, we needed a table for down stage, since nothing crazy was happening, I decided this card table would be fine, stating that it was a prop, that I alone would touch it and guarding it with my life. We had been doing this for 2 weeks.
Last night, an actor decided he would hide the table from me while we were on a break. Which annoyed me, but more than that I felt like the rules were being broken (to date this is my 4th rule that has been blatantly ignored by someone multiple times). After we ran the scene and I recovered the table, I announced in a calm stern voice that because we cant respect the props of others, from this point forward and until we moved into the space, we would not be working with a table. To which, said actor mumbled loudly "Fine, We don't need a (profanity) table" and every ounce of cool I had was gone. The next time we ran the scene I took out paper and a pen to substitute for that actors prop application which he uses at the table and less calmly announced that since we didn't need a table, we were going to start using table specific props. He continued to ignore me. I stood Picked up the paper and put it back into play. The Director made him use the Prop the next time we ran it.
By the time this interaction was finished, I think the tension in the room was beyond cutting with a knife. After I had calmed down I felt bad for getting angry when I should have been calm and stern. Just because I wasn't yelling, that doesn't mean my attitude was any less inappropriate. I have had this problem with this actor before and we have already had the "I'm your SM, not your friend" conversation in past shows.
He and I discussed it privately after rehearsal. We both explained why we were so irritable, discussed how we could have handled it differently and apologized. Another actor apologized to me for being in the room when the table had been taken. I also apologized to the director for losing my cool.
I feel really bad. I have always said I am good at what I do. I believe you never stop learning, but I think I am a good SM. This situation has made me question that. I don't know what to do now. Should I apologize to the rest of the cast? Have a global "I am your SM, not your friend" talk? Explain the rules, since we are incapable of following them? I don't see them again until Monday, will it even be worth it then? How do I get them to listen to me? Is this what parents of teenagers feel like? I need help...
8
The Green Room / Re: One of those days.
« on: Oct 25, 2011, 10:56 am »
Oh My... I have have been there... I hate it there... My sympathies...
9
Tools of the Trade / Re: Yikes! Any suggestions for roaches?
« on: Oct 24, 2011, 12:55 pm »
I must say, that is horrifying. I have no advice for that, but I can share a story of sympathy...
Last year, it seems we developed a hole in the roof and as the weather changed several wasps made there way in and took residence in the Theatre. They were everywhere. On Stage. In the Prop Room. We were even finding them in the costumes from day to day. There is nothing like watching actors change there blocking to save audience members. I didnt think we would ever see the end of them.
Last year, it seems we developed a hole in the roof and as the weather changed several wasps made there way in and took residence in the Theatre. They were everywhere. On Stage. In the Prop Room. We were even finding them in the costumes from day to day. There is nothing like watching actors change there blocking to save audience members. I didnt think we would ever see the end of them.
10
Tools of the Trade / Re: iPads
« on: Oct 10, 2011, 10:23 am »
I am going to chime in late too!
The last show I did, I ran the entire show using Rehearsal 2. It cost $19.99, but it is worth it. You can write and highlight in multiple colors. You can record sounds, add pictures and add notes. I did physically take down my initial blocking, because it is just faster and easier, but I always type it into the script anyway because I like the clean look. I really love this App.
The last show I did, I ran the entire show using Rehearsal 2. It cost $19.99, but it is worth it. You can write and highlight in multiple colors. You can record sounds, add pictures and add notes. I did physically take down my initial blocking, because it is just faster and easier, but I always type it into the script anyway because I like the clean look. I really love this App.
11
The Green Room / Re: Halloween 2011
« on: Oct 05, 2011, 02:57 pm »
For me, it will be closing weekend for one show that I am in and running sound and I will be half way through rehearsals for another show that I am SMing...
12
The Green Room / Re: Weirdest Item In Your Kit
« on: Oct 04, 2011, 02:26 pm »
Gardening Tools...
I have a terrible habit of leaving things in my car after shows. We had used them as a prop and in the next show at the last minute we needed Gardening tools, and then in the next show. It seems we keep needing them... so they are in there... just in case...
I have a terrible habit of leaving things in my car after shows. We had used them as a prop and in the next show at the last minute we needed Gardening tools, and then in the next show. It seems we keep needing them... so they are in there... just in case...
13
The Green Room / Re: SM Hobbies
« on: Sep 27, 2011, 04:15 pm »
I have several Hobbies. I paint, read and write (although I cant finish a novel to save to my life). I used to be very into East Coast Swing Dancing, but the scene here kind of died.
I feel obligated in my downtime to see the non-theatre folk. Which is great because I love events, both planning and attending.
All time favorite thing to do though, is to literally sit in a chair and do nothing. Don't move, don't think. It's usually reserved for about two hours the day after I close, if I have a break in between shows... Its Amazing.
I feel obligated in my downtime to see the non-theatre folk. Which is great because I love events, both planning and attending.
All time favorite thing to do though, is to literally sit in a chair and do nothing. Don't move, don't think. It's usually reserved for about two hours the day after I close, if I have a break in between shows... Its Amazing.
14
Tools of the Trade / Re: Useful iPhone apps?
« on: Sep 26, 2011, 11:40 am »
I do not have an IPhone. I have an IPad. I think the Rehearsal 2 App is available on both. I am completely addicted to this app.
You can load your script into it, write on it in multiple colors, Highlight things in multiple colors. You can record scenes and individual sounds and add pictures.
It is primarily for actors but I have found it more useful as an SM.
It isn't free, but it is worth it.
You can load your script into it, write on it in multiple colors, Highlight things in multiple colors. You can record scenes and individual sounds and add pictures.
It is primarily for actors but I have found it more useful as an SM.
It isn't free, but it is worth it.
15
The Green Room / Re: Happiness is...
« on: Sep 21, 2011, 02:54 pm »
Happiness is...
... having an audience member ask how you did something (an effect or a killer scene change), and getting to reply "Theatre Magic"...
... having an audience member ask how you did something (an effect or a killer scene change), and getting to reply "Theatre Magic"...
Pages: [1] 2