Topics

1

Students and Novice Stage Managers / SM Tutorial

« on: Jan 30, 2009, 02:34 pm »

I'm usually the one to train incoming stage managers within my organization, and I wanted to create a sort of "crash course" in SMing to teach them the ropes... For instance, sometimes they get assigned to me three or four days AFTER auditions and/or rehearsals begin, so I don't really have much time to train them before hand, and they don't have much time to actually read up on anything... So what I wanted to do is to create a 10-15 (short) guide on SMing, which covers the essentials but is still relatively comprehensive: auditions, blocking, rehearsals, performance etc...

What I was wondering was everyone's opinion of what I should include. What do you consider the complete essentials, and what should I leave out for new SMs that may be a bit overwhelming until after they have a couple shows under their belt?

Much thanks!

2

Stage Management: Other / Opera Greenie

« on: Dec 31, 2007, 04:28 am »

I'm no greenie at stage managing... I'm pretty confident with straight plays- but by a weird series of events I find myself stage managing for an upcoming opera- something I have never done before. I've got a good team behind me, and we don't open until March, but I feel like the time is quickly approching and I don't know how best to prepare for this new adventure... What kinds of things are diffenent than normal, theatrical SMing? How is it different? How can I best prepare myself, and my ASMs who have little musical background?

While browsing the threads, I've been reading up on terms such as timings and WWW sheets- what are these? Obviously they're important, but I've never done them before- what's the process? Why are they useful? What other things, like these, are essential to my sucess?

I want to succeed- I really do. I just don't know how to start or where to go from here. I want my first experience in opera to be a good one, but I know it won't if I'm unprepared. Let me know what you think and suggest.

3

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Teamwork: ASMs vs SMs

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 04:49 am »

Well I'm not sure if this topic has been directly discussed, so I'll introduce it anyway. If it has, please point it out for me. Thanks!!

I've been appointed two ASMs for my show to work under me, and authough I'm excited for the extra hands, it will be a bit of a learning experience for me. I've never had ASMs to work under me, nor been one, so I'm not entirely sure of the distinctions between them. What will I be responsible for doing? And what should I expect of and delegate to my ASMs? They're both competent and so far easy to work with, but I'm just kindof wondering what I should do vs what their main tasks will be.

Thanks for the help!

4

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Book and Tabs

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 01:58 am »

Ok so I'm trying to put together my production book for my upcoming university production of A Christmas Carol, but I've never found a good system for organizing and dividing the tabs. I've purchased a 3 ring binder and 8 durable tabs, but I haven't seemed to find the best way to label these tabs, divide all my paperwork and generally "organize" all the information I, as an SM need to take care of. I was just wondering what system you've found to work? How should I devide my binder?

Thanks for the help!