Messages

1

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Shadowing Etiquette

« on: Apr 27, 2013, 01:02 am »

I've found all of the shadowing threads very helpful, but I'm still left with a few questions!

I've been stage managing professionally (albeit at 'lower rung' companies) for a few years now, but never thought to shadow! SMing is definitely a learn-by-doing craft, but I feel like observing a tech or calling of a show could be really beneficial. I'm curious about shadowing specifics that haven't yet been addressed (I believe) such as

-Is emailing these days now more appropriate than sending a true letter, especially regarding convenience?
-Do you as SMs expect your shadowers to come prepared with questions, and if so, what questions do you wish they did/didn't ask?
-Is observing tech heard of, or appropriate?

Cheers!

2

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROFESSIONALISM: Honesty about running a show?

« on: Apr 05, 2013, 12:48 am »

While I'm a relative youngster, I do have a few dozen shows under my belt and am well-versed in the responsibilities of SMs during a run. But working at "low-rung" non-AEA, non-LORT theaters, I find myself plagued with a question I have a hard time getting honest answers to: what to (professionally!) do during a run?

I'm not seaking distractions, I'm seaking duties. I feel like despite my training, I'm missing something. What's an SM to do if there are no understudies to keep up blocking for? If a director is present at every performance to give notes instead of myself? If the show is 3 hours long and only has a dozen cues? If actors are word-perfect consistently? If actors aren't used to having a professional SM and never read the performance reports? I adore stage managing and take my profession seriously, but I keep finding myself watching shows I run with little corresponding duties.

Thoughts? Advice? Thanks!