Messages

106

The Green Room / Re: SM: WORST THINGS

« on: May 06, 2012, 10:09 pm »

One of my worst things is when I am erasing blocking notes in my script and I tear one of the holes on the page. The stickers used to mend said torn page are a constant reminder of what happened, I usually end up replacing the entire page.

An idea I heard somewhere is to cover both sides of one edge of the page with clear packing tape, and then hole punch through the tape. Sort of a pre-emptive version of those round stickers.

107

The Green Room / Re: SM: WORST THINGS

« on: Apr 20, 2012, 05:03 am »

Trying to erase notes but not being able to get it totally clean. OR when the eraser leaves a pink smudge instead!

OR when all the eraser does is smudge the graphite around, without taking any off the page.

108

The Green Room / Re: Why do theater - Ted Talk

« on: Apr 04, 2012, 10:24 am »

Oh wow. What a story. I forget sometimes what it is I'm helping other people do.

109

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Mar 25, 2012, 05:59 pm »

110

The Green Room / Re: Things Stage Managers Say

« on: Mar 18, 2012, 09:09 pm »

It's right here.

it's right there.

All the time.

111

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PEOPLE: Walk-Ons; How do you handle them?

« on: Mar 09, 2012, 10:43 am »

bex, that was just the story I needed to hear this morning. I am in such a good mood now.

112

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: NEW WORKS: Making a prompt book when there is no script at all

« on: Mar 02, 2012, 04:42 am »

Great topic Kay.

I recently did a show that was almost completely physical, and the movements were developed by the actors and director during the rehearsal process. I was given a storyboard the director had made up, which included a brief summary of the plot covered in each scene, and a sketch of one of the key tableaux involved in each scene.

From there, I blocked it much like a dance piece - just a sequence of movements the actors made. Then I typed those up into a document and treated the movements of the actors as if they were lines, calling cues off them in the same way I would for a regular show.

Personally, I enjoyed the freedom that comes with this type of show: you have a chance to write/format a version of the script that will be the most effective for you to use. I loved being able to build things in as we went, and I loved having a clean, updated version of my script anytime I wanted it.

I've attached a few pages from my final calling script. Ideally, the notes would have been a little more detailed, but it'll give you an idea.

113

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Management Kit

« on: Feb 26, 2012, 09:04 pm »

I use art supply boxes - I have a larger one to keep at the theatre, and a smaller one for travel. The brand I use is ArtBin. They're light (plastic), lots of different-sized storage space, and have a sturdy handle to carry them with.

114

The Green Room / Re: What a Stage Manager Does

« on: Feb 26, 2012, 08:59 pm »

The man-with-clip-board-poised-to-say-something image that's always the first on Google search - priceless.

115

Self-Promotion / Re: Blue Man Group National Tour

« on: Jan 24, 2012, 06:58 pm »

Congratulations!

116

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Dear Abby: What classes would you look for in a BFA stage management program?

« on: Jan 23, 2012, 04:39 pm »

As with the directing class, a class on script analysis might be useful too. It's possible to integrate this with directing, I suppose, but the class I took was a good introduction to various high points of theatrical history (with an emphasis on those plays that keep popping up, eg. Oedipus Rex, A Doll's House, etc.), but mostly it taught me how to quickly and efficiently read a script, and pull out the most useful information and the best understanding of the play. Incredibly useful as a way of understanding the art form, and being able to see the play we're working on from the same perspective as those deeply entrenched in the artistic side of the process. Like people have mentioned about the general education, it gives you a basic foundation and context for whatever it is you're working on.

117

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Jan 21, 2012, 04:21 pm »

 
All that is gold does not glitter...

118

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Dear Abby: What classes would you look for in a BFA stage management program?

« on: Jan 21, 2012, 04:10 pm »

I completely second the music theory course. I'm (re)teaching myself to read music now, and it's painfully slow progress without some structured help.
 
I believe it was someone on this forum who once suggested taking a Project Management course, which I also think is a useful idea. In addition, a class on inter-personal relations might be useful - role-playing difficult scenarios that come up during a regular rehearsal process, and teaching the students how to diffuse them while staying professional. And, though I hated it at the time, I'm grateful for the class that taught me all about drafting and groundplans.
 
Beyond that - and this may be stating the obvious - make sure there's lots of practical work to go around, and that there's always some form of accessible mentor character for the students to go to when they're working on shows. That one-on-one time is what's been the most beneficial to my stage management, above and beyond any class.

119

Tools of the Trade / Re: Health Products

« on: Dec 19, 2011, 11:59 pm »

Tiger balm for those achy muscles after long days. You'll smell like old people, and will most likely offend those around you, but at least you won't hurt anymore!

I just started using Tiger Balm (and, on occasion, Lakota Extra-Strength) earlier this year. As someone with naturally weak knees and ankles who also does a LOT of walking, it's saved me many days of waking up sore. It's also become a favorite in my SM kit - something to give to achy actors.

120

College and Graduate Studies / Re: SM Certificate Programs?

« on: Dec 06, 2011, 10:46 am »

I'm not sure about the US, but here in Montreal (Canada) there's the National Theatre School which offers a three-year training program in lights, sound, tech direction, and stage management. Entry is based on an interview and a portfolio-type project, and you come out of it with a certificate. Doesn't help you much if you're not willing to relocate (though Montreal is a great city), but here's a link to their website anyway: http://ent-nts.ca/