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SMNetwork Archives / Happy Birthday Kay!
« on: Dec 22, 2007, 02:05 am »
It's Kay's Birthday today!
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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107
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Giving lines for a music in a musical....
« on: Dec 22, 2007, 01:40 am »
Well, I think a little sit down with your cast is in order, and you'll want to include your conductor/musical director on this one.
Maybe it's because I come from an opera background, but if they are missing lines of dialogue I would expect you should be able to help them, if they are missing sung lines the Musical Director/Conductor should be cueing them.
At least that's how I'd do it . . .
Maybe it's because I come from an opera background, but if they are missing lines of dialogue I would expect you should be able to help them, if they are missing sung lines the Musical Director/Conductor should be cueing them.
At least that's how I'd do it . . .
108
Employment / Re: Resume Question
« on: Dec 18, 2007, 01:28 am »
I'm throwing my vote in with Kevin here . . .It won't make or break a job offer. I kind of think it's a nifty idea if you are sending out an electronic version.
109
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Miss Saigon MakeUP
« on: Dec 12, 2007, 05:20 pm »
That Far East look can be acheived through extending the eyeliner past the lid of the eye and tapering the line. However, I personally think you should just go with natural makeup.
110
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Who makes the better SM? Men or women?
« on: Dec 10, 2007, 04:16 am »
I'd be really interested in reading this once you've completed it. I'll PM you my answers.
111
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Budget?!
« on: Dec 09, 2007, 08:51 pm »
You've got time . . .that is A LOT of rehearsal . . I know the music is hard, but 8-10 weeks is a lot to ask people to set aside for volunteer work.
I remember looking into this years ago and I also chose Into the Woods . . .it's not a cheap show to produce. You've got 300 budgeted for props, but where are you going to get Milky White? He alone can cost that. What about a lighting budget? Sound? Orchestra? Contact Music Theater International to get a better idea if what to budget for rights and score rental. Even a until set will require some kind of tower, a cottage, Cinderella's Tree . . .
I think you may want to look at other options for shows and work your way up to this. Or do it "in concert"!
I remember looking into this years ago and I also chose Into the Woods . . .it's not a cheap show to produce. You've got 300 budgeted for props, but where are you going to get Milky White? He alone can cost that. What about a lighting budget? Sound? Orchestra? Contact Music Theater International to get a better idea if what to budget for rights and score rental. Even a until set will require some kind of tower, a cottage, Cinderella's Tree . . .
I think you may want to look at other options for shows and work your way up to this. Or do it "in concert"!
112
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Flying Carpet...
« on: Dec 08, 2007, 11:25 am »
I've also been recommending ZFX out of Louisville Kentucky. They do some amazing work.
113
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: A tricky situation
« on: Dec 06, 2007, 11:49 am »
Scott - yes, I was referring to "if I ever go looking for my heart's desire, I'll never look further than my own backyard, because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with".
I use that analogy A LOT.
And Kiwitechgirl - Don't speak your mind to any of the other cast members about it. Not even to find out more info.
I use that analogy A LOT.
And Kiwitechgirl - Don't speak your mind to any of the other cast members about it. Not even to find out more info.
114
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: A tricky situation
« on: Dec 06, 2007, 08:24 am »
I don't think this situation is unique by any respect. You are right, there is nothing you can do and if she gets her heart broken, so be it . . .she still has to walk in and leave her personal life at the stage door and go on. She's of consenting age and although you feel strongly about it, I don't think it's your place to step in and try to control your actors personal lives. Even if you did, they wouldn't listen. It's kind of like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" . . .no one could tell her the one simple lesson, she had to learn it for herself.
By the way, you are going to run into this over and over again in your career, so the sooner you can shake it off, the better off you will be for it.
By the way, you are going to run into this over and over again in your career, so the sooner you can shake it off, the better off you will be for it.
115
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Do you have a preferred type of show?
« on: Dec 04, 2007, 04:09 pm »
Musicals or Opera, although I do have a list of plays I'd love to do.
116
College and Graduate Studies / Re: colleges?
« on: Nov 28, 2007, 03:19 pm »Don't know too much about Webster, but did run into an ASM and Elec. that were Webster alum the other day at the load-in of the Showcase my brother is producing and they both gave the impression of having been well-trained. If I understood correctly, the Elec. is making a go of it as an L.D.s assistant while the ASM is relatively recently arrived in NY.
I stand corrected. The Conservatory of Theater Arts at Webster University is not completely without merit, and I apologize if I made it seem that way. Several of their programs do turn out excellent artists. I, personally, don't agree with how they run their stage management program, and therefore do not recommend it to prospective students. I had a bad college experience there and I know a few alums who share my views, and I think it's important for me to say that I did not receive the opportunities I was promised as a prospective, and their advertised 100% placement rate upon graduation is simply not true. Also, the Conservatory block credits do not transfer to other colleges, so if you do decide to transfer, you may find yourself even more disappointed.
117
College and Graduate Studies / Re: colleges?
« on: Nov 28, 2007, 09:54 am »
There are plenty of us that make a living at Stage Management.
I'll just reiterate that a degree from Webster in Stage Management is not worth the tuition (at least it wasn't for me, I didn't fit their cookie cutter idea of an SM - and thank God I didn't because I actually LEARNED my craft from my internship). I've become very successful in spite of my degree, not because of it.
Look around . . . there are a number of programs in the area that are worth their salt .. . ..I know my twin brother went to Bradley in Peoria and was quite happy and is working, and Mizzou may have something of interest. It'll be your work experience after college that gets you jobs, so make sure you are getting an in depth theatrical education, but I agree that going with something more well rounded will make you more marketable should you choose to change careers or need to temp between gigs (which is an inevitable part of what we do). Another fine point that has been made is to check out colleges where the jobs are . . .and for you, that means Chicago . . .(DePaul). Ohh, and make sure you take classes in musicianship and learn to read music. It makes you ever so much more marketable.
I'll just reiterate that a degree from Webster in Stage Management is not worth the tuition (at least it wasn't for me, I didn't fit their cookie cutter idea of an SM - and thank God I didn't because I actually LEARNED my craft from my internship). I've become very successful in spite of my degree, not because of it.
Look around . . . there are a number of programs in the area that are worth their salt .. . ..I know my twin brother went to Bradley in Peoria and was quite happy and is working, and Mizzou may have something of interest. It'll be your work experience after college that gets you jobs, so make sure you are getting an in depth theatrical education, but I agree that going with something more well rounded will make you more marketable should you choose to change careers or need to temp between gigs (which is an inevitable part of what we do). Another fine point that has been made is to check out colleges where the jobs are . . .and for you, that means Chicago . . .(DePaul). Ohh, and make sure you take classes in musicianship and learn to read music. It makes you ever so much more marketable.
118
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: "Shadowing" Stage Managers?
« on: Nov 24, 2007, 04:17 pm »
Hey there! Be sure to stop by the introductions forum to introduce yourself to the group. 
I am from St. Louis as well, and although I never shadowed a stage manager at, say, the Fox Theater downtown, I did sit in the booth with several stage managers during performances at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis. If you contact either of these organizations and ask, they may be able to help you . . . the worst they can do is say no.
I am from St. Louis as well, and although I never shadowed a stage manager at, say, the Fox Theater downtown, I did sit in the booth with several stage managers during performances at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis. If you contact either of these organizations and ask, they may be able to help you . . . the worst they can do is say no.
119
Stage Management: Other / Wrangling the Childrens Chorus
« on: Nov 23, 2007, 05:06 pm »
I'm the PSM for a production that will use a fairly large children's chorus. I have one inexperienced ASM who will have his hands full and as far as I know I don't have a kid wrangler, so I'm going to have to punt.
In the past, I have to admit that I haven't had much luck relating to a children's chorus . . .I know I can't expect them to be adults because they aren't. I wanted to ask the network's advice on working with a large group of kids while also dealing with the rest of the things that we as stage manager's do.
I wanted to ask them to bring something along to read or work on while they aren't onstage. I also wanted some kind of very simple reward system (stickers, etc) for rehearsals, just for a little extra incentive.
Any thoughts or advice?
In the past, I have to admit that I haven't had much luck relating to a children's chorus . . .I know I can't expect them to be adults because they aren't. I wanted to ask the network's advice on working with a large group of kids while also dealing with the rest of the things that we as stage manager's do.
I wanted to ask them to bring something along to read or work on while they aren't onstage. I also wanted some kind of very simple reward system (stickers, etc) for rehearsals, just for a little extra incentive.
Any thoughts or advice?
120
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Preshow (turn off your cellphone) announcements
« on: Nov 18, 2007, 10:18 am »My least favorite is the horrible way it is done at the Dragon Lady's theatre here in DC. It involves the house staff circulating through the house demonstrating how to turn it off. Makes me shudder just thinking about it!
Ah, yes . . .and the worst part about it is that the stage manager has to actually call a cue for this at 1 minute to top of show . . . ., but, The Dragon Lady doesn't like curtain speeches, so there you have it . . . an army of FOH staff dispatched to quietly make this announcement, which A) doesn't work and B) causes older patrons to turn up their hearing aids which then whistle throughout the performance.
As Jess knows, don't get me started. If you are in DC and don't know which theater we are talking about, shoot me a PM and I'd be happy to tell you which theater it is and why no one should subject themselves to the the horrors of working there . . . and I'm not being a drama queen.