Messages

106

Stage Management: Other / Re: Anybody with sporting event/Olympics experience?

« on: May 08, 2010, 12:22 pm »

I worked at a large event center that hosted tennis and boxing (pro tennis and the oylmpic trials for boxing).  If you have any specific questions, I'd be glad to share how these events went.

107

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stage Manager as Disciplinarian

« on: Apr 27, 2010, 01:22 pm »

I'd like to start a discussion on what kinds of things we as stage managers can do as disciplinarians.  Many of us cannot hire and cannot fire.  In the academic world, none of that hangs over the heads of your laborers.

As for the academic world, students are graded on the labor they do or don't perform.  Some are even work study/scholarship and either don't get paid for hours they don't do or aren't offered a scholarship the next semester.

I establish or use the "producer's" rules right from first rehearsal so everyone is aware of the expectations.  I also get with the director prior to rehearsals and establish a unified front in handling situations as they arise.

I have had to be the disciplinarian on professional shows: from reporting and recording late arrivals to calls as well as reporting alcohol consumption in the theatre dressing room  (during the show by an actor) to the producer.  This is a level of discipline that I felt needed to be addressed by managment.  I also  talk one on one to actors/crew/staff for offenses that don't need to involve mgmt right off the bat.

108

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: TD Unconcerned with Safety

« on: Apr 22, 2010, 10:12 am »

Is the TD a student?  What's the director's take on these safety issues?  Is there a Professor in charge?  You are right to take saftey very seriously especially in a University setting (and any other setting).

109

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SCHEDULING: Do you include crew calls on your daily rehearsal calls?

« on: Apr 16, 2010, 02:28 pm »

Yes, during techs, dress, previews and run of show I list the crew call.  Sometimes it's as simple as:

DATE
12n  call        Cast/Crew
12:30p call    Orchestra
1p    GO         Tech #1
(scheduled to end at 4p)

DATE
10a-12n        Carpenters--fix it work
12n-2p          Electricians--fix it work
3p  call          Cast/Crew
3:30 call        Orchestra
4p  GO          Tech # 2
(scheduled to end at 8p)

In this example, everyone sees over a few days or weeks time when to be at the performance venue and how long to plan to be there.  Everyone's call is in one place for me as SM. I'll post this info on the callboard as well as email and post changes as they occur.  If there is special make up/costumes that require more than a one hour or 1/2 call, wardrobe call and specific cast member(s) will be inserted where their "special" call time would be.

110

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: New to SMing

« on: Mar 31, 2010, 09:44 am »

I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to get started in this craft without having a degree.

I've worked and still work with many stage managers in community theatre that don't have a theatre degree.  You may also want to be on crew, assist the designers and shadow the director as all of this is something the SM should be familiar with.  And of course all the great advice on the boards here will help show and give examples of 
the big picture of stage management.

Crossing fingers and yes, keep us posted!

111

The Green Room / Re: Favorite Easter Candy

« on: Mar 17, 2010, 11:18 am »

I'm a big fan of the Cadbury Easter Eggs.  Which reminds me...I need to stock up!!

112

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COSTUMES: Wardrobe Malfunction - Hold the show?

« on: Mar 15, 2010, 02:43 pm »

My question is why the SM held the show if the SM thought you handled it incorrectly.  Aren't they in charge of starting the act?  Were you in communication with the booth?  The idea that they wanted the second act to start and to look for the pants during the first scene should have been passed along right away.

I second this question: where was your SM in all this?  S/he should have made the ultimate decision--pants or no pants.

113

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Actors wanting more info, but can't process what they already have?

« on: Mar 11, 2010, 09:39 am »

I would give them all the info the actors request about the daily schedule as long as it's not contrary to any contract or company rules/policies. I agree with what's been mentioned that the actor's should refer to the TYA contract you're working under (it is their responsibilty to know the rules as well--not just rely upon the Stage Manager).  Can you get together before dinner or later in the evening to have a nightly company meeting about the next day?

114

The Green Room / Re: How do you "play?"

« on: Mar 07, 2010, 04:07 pm »

Hiking trails w/ husband and dogs.  Looking through antique, junk shops and consignment/2nd hand stores to see if there are any props to buy or make note of.

115

Employment / Re: What if you can't find a stage management job?

« on: Mar 04, 2010, 01:38 pm »

I would look at working in the Community Theatre circuit.  Community Theatres are usually happy to have someone apply who actually has a Theatre Degree.  How about working crew both community and college or civic
auditorium(s)?  Managment can observe your tech and SM skills and you may land a job higher up the ladder that leads to SM jobs.

116

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: SMing Rep

« on: Mar 04, 2010, 01:31 pm »

Coordination and communication.  What is one production using that others can also use (props, set, costumes, lighting, etc.)? Are actors also in rep?  Is the crew/artistic staff also being shared? If so are schedules being coordinated? Do you have regular production meetings scheduled  for all shows as a group as well as individual shows?

117

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Alcohol Backstage

« on: Feb 25, 2010, 10:49 am »

Sounds like the director and a department official need to go over that policy (absolutely NO alcohol on the campus) at the first company/staff/crew meeting.  Immediate dismissal from the production was our policy. 

118

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Blocking using a score

« on: Feb 23, 2010, 08:25 am »

I also don't "read" music (just can follow notes on the page and know where I am) and like amdram, I listen to the music a lot.  I also write the name of the song in the order it's played (if it's a dance or overture...i.e. "Some Enchanted Evening"..."Wash That Man" (starts)--cue house to half... and so on).  I'll sometimes cut and paste measures from the score into my script if there are notes that cues are called on (intro or musical bridge).

119

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COSTUMES: How involved do you get with costumes and wardrobe?

« on: Feb 19, 2010, 08:45 am »

As SM, I'll request a list or form from wardrobe (costume plot, QC, etc.) and supply an example if wardrobe asks or doesn't supply the info in writing.  I also agree w/ comments made that as SM, I pass all info on what will need to happen w/ all aspects of the show ("so and so wears a hat at this point" and so on).

120

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How to encourage actors to show up?

« on: Feb 12, 2010, 03:54 pm »

This is when you become the spokes person for the cast and have a private, non-confrontational conversation with the director.  Inform her how the cast feels.  Constant yelling does not resolve anything and looses it's impact when you do need to yell.  Is lateness something that's happening frequently?  Are there legitimate reasons for lateness? Is your director always on time or early?