Topics

1

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROP: Almost, Maine Shoe

« on: Jan 18, 2012, 11:43 pm »

I have just started rehearsal and am wondering if anyone has a good idea of a solution for a tricky prop.

During one scene a shoe is supposed to "drop from the sky." We will be performing in a black box theatre and the action will be taking place on the opposite side of the theatre from the booth (mezzanine). We have a limited budget, so a box with an electronic release most likely won't be an option. The director would really like to drop the shoe at this point in the planning.

Barring fishing line and a pulley system - I'm out of ideas. Does anyone have an idea of how to drop this prop?

2

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROFESSIONALISM: Coping when others seem not to care

« on: Nov 18, 2011, 01:55 am »

Hello,

I have run into an issue on Spelling Bee. My director has scheduled an 8 week rehearsal process for a 4 weekend run that has left cast and crew feeling like they have all the time in the world & have just run out.

I have tried tirelessly to email and call designers for information and it wasn't until this past Tuesday (2 weeks from tech) that I started getting responses - which are still spotty at best.

Tonight, my director (who is the vice president of the company) asked what might be overwhelming for me and what he should "take over so I'm not overloaded." I explained that it was the lack of communication from designers that had become a tad frustrating.

His response: "Well, that is your fault. I wasn't CC'd on some of those emails so I couldn't step in to fix it."

This has been the general attitude of my production team from the get go. It is a community theatre, so they feel they have no reason to be professional. This is my third show since May with this company and I know that is not the case for most shows.

Another contributing factor: I am the youngest tech on every team...by at least 5 years.

The director has let the cast run amok the entire process - they are frustrated by the absence of a vocal director. They don't listen very well (unless I'm the one talking. When I talk, they listen - at least I established that.)

The end of my rant is this: How do I get my team to pull their act together in time for tech if they don't respect me or my job?