Messages

106

Tools of the Trade / Re: Do you prefer Word or Excel?

« on: Apr 10, 2007, 11:27 am »

I use both equally- and love/hate them both equally. 

As everyone else has said they both have there place!

I'd hate to ry to make per diem sheets w/o the lovely formula's of excel- and how would I make basic casting w/o word.

      

107

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Viewpointing

« on: Apr 05, 2007, 11:29 am »

Used Viewpoints in college- very cool stuff! Of course I come from DANCE and the Director was from DANCE so it was very natural for us...

108

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Backstage Etiquette

« on: Apr 05, 2007, 11:27 am »

 

109

Employment / Re: Hiring and references

« on: Apr 04, 2007, 12:45 pm »

Is this OK or would this aggravate/ annoy you as an employer? Am I being too weary with there contact details??

Anything that puts a barrier to me contacting the references, can slow the process down, and make me skipover contacting your references.  If you are sending the resume, send the references.

Me too... sorry to say!

110

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: I need some serious help!

« on: Apr 04, 2007, 10:09 am »

Wow-

It seems to me that the actor's need to feel that they're being heard. Possibly a Company Meeting is in order. In that meeting it should be discussed whether or not to pull the production.

I don't think it's a great idea for you to walk away. At the very least you'll have a heck of a story for your upcoming interview question: "What was your most challenging production and why?"

Good luck!!!!!

111

Employment / Re: Job Reference

« on: Apr 04, 2007, 10:05 am »

I totally feel you!     

I'v definately gotten reference check calls where my internal response is "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!" 

My actual response is of the yes they were employed here, no I have not rehired them.

Plus a quick email to the former employee reccomending that they ask me before listing me as a reference. 

112

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Noises Off

« on: Mar 30, 2007, 12:41 pm »

I've done NOISES OFF 3X- and twice we were able to tape out the entire set in one room- with my staff and the Director switching sides of the room; the other time the studio wasn't large enough so we had to tape Act 1 over Act 2, and in rehearsals for 3 the actor's had to fudge it until we got to stage... not optimum. 

113

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Keeping it Straight with BIG CASTS

« on: Mar 26, 2007, 05:27 pm »

I know! Isn't it funny when you never meet someone in person- you only speak to them over headset? This happens to me all the time in road houses with spot ops! They'll go directly to their positions and not come down until the spots are cooled post-show, by which time I'm giving notes in dressing rooms! 

114

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Keeping it Straight with BIG CASTS

« on: Mar 24, 2007, 12:46 pm »

Well- it is certainly not unusual that we work on ridiculously large shows where we don't know everyone's name right away- My blocking notation gameplan is always:

For character's w/ names the blocking is done by character name abbreviation's.

For the womens ensemble or chorus everyone has a number: W1, W2....

For the mens ensember or chorus: M1, M2....

For the childrens chorus it's either G1, G2 or B1, B2...

This is a dance world steal- this way when Sally McReady (W2) needs to be replaced we can just look through all the notes and replace W2.

The list of cast with numbers is publicly posted, and is also by height- so the choreographer can begin to work out sections on their own. Everyone knows their number- and it's also how scripts and other paperwork are distributed, dressing rooms are assigned, costumes fittings are scheduled etc... etc...

Sharesies from your dance world friends! 

115

Tools of the Trade / Re: What is Gaffer Tape?

« on: Mar 22, 2007, 02:49 pm »

While I was in college I used a very thin peice of gaff tape to hold my glasses together--- for 2 1/2 years!

116

The Green Room / Re: Food, Tech Dinners, etc (Merged Topics)

« on: Mar 16, 2007, 11:14 am »

Yeah- we keep ton's of tea's at the coffee station! It's great!

117

College and Graduate Studies / Re: NC School of the Arts

« on: Mar 16, 2007, 11:10 am »

They have an extraordinary dance program!  That's pretty much all I know...

118

Tools of the Trade / Re: Make the Clicking of the shoes STOP!

« on: Mar 13, 2007, 10:05 am »

rubberize! Adding a coat od rubber to the bottom's of shoes stop's the clicking. This will not work if the cast has to dance in these shoes. I'd just bring it to their attention (I'll assume the clicking is not purposeful)- sometimes back stage you have to walk on tip toe or even remove loud shoes...

119

Employment / Re: Too Old

« on: Mar 12, 2007, 10:05 am »

A few, ahem, years ago I got turned down for an assistant job because I had "too much experience" - blech! I had more experience in dance than the PSM and I've been told from other person's who work in the organization that she didn't hire me because she was protecting her own job!

This sounds like it could be a similar case.

When you withdrew your application did you withdraw through the interviewing person or their superior? If you felt this strongly about this incident it could very well be that other people have as well... if you see where I'm going with this thought...

120

Stage Management: Other / Romeo Rental

« on: Mar 01, 2007, 03:07 pm »

So, I figure yous guys may have a suggestion or 2 for me- I'm looking for a rental of a full sets, costumes, props of  Romeo & Juliet (the Ballet) in February 2008.

Do any of you know of a company (aside from Cinnci and Atlanta) who has such a production?

Any suggestions are welcome.