106
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Dropping Cards?
« on: Jan 11, 2008, 01:51 am »Why not just call them "Kabuki Propmen" or just "Kabuki" or some-such?
Kabuki is Japanese.
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.
Kabuki is Japanese.
107
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Help? Running board and Lights...
« on: Jan 07, 2008, 07:04 pm »
I would also recommend calling standbys, even though you're taking your own cues - that way, no one will be talking on headset when you need to concentrate.
You'll get the hang of it - once you do it a few times during tech you'll figure out exactly what you need to do. In terms of setting up your calling script, just make sure all your notes are big and legible. When I run sound and lights, I like to use bright post-its. Good luck!
You'll get the hang of it - once you do it a few times during tech you'll figure out exactly what you need to do. In terms of setting up your calling script, just make sure all your notes are big and legible. When I run sound and lights, I like to use bright post-its. Good luck!
108
Tools of the Trade / Re: Should I become a Mac-er?
« on: Jan 02, 2008, 04:44 am »My roommate runs Parallels.
There's another program called VMware that does the same thing. Both are excellent - if you're interested in learning more about them, there's a great David Pogue article from a couple of years ago that explains the basics: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/13/technology/13pogue.html.
109
Stage Management: Other / Re: The annual nutcracker 7th inning stretch....
« on: Dec 21, 2007, 02:21 am »
There was a nice video on NYTimes.com about the NY Ballet's 2000th performance of the Nutcracker. It included a very brief sighting of the SM:
http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=ce632d743627de8221e4f7f06d2c1e7a675a55b7
Personally, this was the second year I've worked Nutcracker from the box office end. The show is great fun, but fielding the question "Will my 3-year-old be able to see?" twenty times a day is not as fun.
http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=ce632d743627de8221e4f7f06d2c1e7a675a55b7
Personally, this was the second year I've worked Nutcracker from the box office end. The show is great fun, but fielding the question "Will my 3-year-old be able to see?" twenty times a day is not as fun.
110
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Before Show Pep Talks - Cast and Crew
« on: Dec 21, 2007, 02:02 am »
I like to give pep talks in a college environment, but in the professional world I agree with Scott that it's not expected of the SM to do it, and not really necessary for professional actors.
In college, though, I like to have a quick get-excited meeting before places. The actors seem to like it, and it helps get their energy up. Usually we'll circle up and go around answering some stupid question I've come up with (the SM I learned that from once asked which Disney character we'd most like to have sex with).
In college, though, I like to have a quick get-excited meeting before places. The actors seem to like it, and it helps get their energy up. Usually we'll circle up and go around answering some stupid question I've come up with (the SM I learned that from once asked which Disney character we'd most like to have sex with).
111
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Preshow (turn off your cellphone) announcements
« on: Dec 17, 2007, 03:50 am »
Once at a production of Into the Woods:
"...and remember, there is no cell phone reception in the woods, so please turn them off to save batteries."
"...and remember, there is no cell phone reception in the woods, so please turn them off to save batteries."
112
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Thoughts on ASMing
« on: Dec 17, 2007, 03:45 am »
I'm currently ASMing Santaland Diaries (at New Repertory Theatre in Watertown, MA) too! It's such a great show to work on - very low-key, only one actor, hardly any props. It's great to read about your experiences!
113
Articles from the Old Site / Re: See in the Dark
« on: Dec 13, 2007, 12:16 am »
I saw this when I shadowed an SM at a big regional theater near me. It's amazing!
114
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Study Abroad
« on: Dec 11, 2007, 04:59 am »
I know there are a million study abroad programs for actors, and even some for designers, but are there any for stage managers?
I go to school in the US, and I'd love to study abroad in the UK or Australia ... but if I go abroad, I want to be studying SMing. Does anyone know of any such program?
I go to school in the US, and I'd love to study abroad in the UK or Australia ... but if I go abroad, I want to be studying SMing. Does anyone know of any such program?
115
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Do you have a preferred type of show?
« on: Dec 03, 2007, 07:50 pm »
I find musicals a welcome challenge (there are just so many people involved!), but mostly I'm all about the straight play. I like seeing how a director puts his or her own stamp on an established work.
116
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Rehearsal Checklist?
« on: Nov 30, 2007, 12:41 am »
I've never heard of that as a standardized thing, but she might have meant just a list of things to remember pre- and post-rehearsal (turn off the lights, etc.)?
117
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Onstage Hangings
« on: Nov 21, 2007, 01:44 am »
I'm with you on finding a way to do it offstage. I remember reading in a Q&A somewhere: Q: "How can I hang an actor onstage?" A: "Don't."
118
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student Stage Manager's Challenge #2
« on: Nov 19, 2007, 11:50 am »
So, the show's a matinee - is there lots of natural light in the lobby with the huge windows? My first instinct is to move everyone there, and have the actors finish the show in a stripped-down kind of way.
If that wouldn't work...I'm assuming that the worklights don't work? (There is no possible way of lighting the stage at all?) If that's true, and the stage is completely dark, and there's no place to finish the show where there is enough light, then it's not safe for the actors anymore. It'd be hard, but I would put my foot down and insist that the safety of the actors is my number-one priority, and I can't allow the show to continue in conditions that are unsafe - because part of the job they hired me for is to be an advocate for the actors.
I guess there's always the solution of getting as many flashlights as you can, but I don't think that's very safe either.
But yeah. Finish in the lobby.
Thoughts?
If that wouldn't work...I'm assuming that the worklights don't work? (There is no possible way of lighting the stage at all?) If that's true, and the stage is completely dark, and there's no place to finish the show where there is enough light, then it's not safe for the actors anymore. It'd be hard, but I would put my foot down and insist that the safety of the actors is my number-one priority, and I can't allow the show to continue in conditions that are unsafe - because part of the job they hired me for is to be an advocate for the actors.
I guess there's always the solution of getting as many flashlights as you can, but I don't think that's very safe either.
But yeah. Finish in the lobby.
Thoughts?
119
Stage Management: Other / Re: Running lights from front of house?
« on: Nov 11, 2007, 01:17 pm »
I actually encountered this for the first time yesterday when I went to see a show...I was sitting right in front of the tech table and quite enjoyed hearing the click of the "GO" button right before each light cue.
120
Stage Management: Other / Re: Finding ASMs
« on: Nov 07, 2007, 12:19 am »
The theater department listserv at any given school is usually a great place to find people. Find out which staff member in the department is responsible for sending out announcements to theater majors and minors, and drop them a line to see if it's alright to send the occasional call for help. At my school we get this kind of thing often from various theater companies in the area.