Messages

121

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student Stage Manager's Challenge #4: When being an SM and a friend collide

« on: Nov 03, 2008, 05:39 pm »

I agree with most everything loebtmc said which a minor adjustment. Especially in an education setting where you do not have the ultimate say, we have been taught not to say "yes" but instead say "I'll look into that". That way they are satisfied they have been heard and the problem is being looked at. That way you have time to find a solution that works for everyone and you do not have to take your words back which can end in more problems than you started with. Just another look at the situation.

The only other lesson that should be pulled is to always ask follow up questions. Rather than immediately saying "no" because of the issue of light bleed (I assume that would have been the problem) I would have immediately asked "what is the trouble?" and then offered up other solutions or gave the "I'll look into that" response to buy me time to seek out a solution. When an actor or crew member demands something like that they feel that is their best solution. That is usually not the case and they do not think to offer up the problem for the SM to provide a solution.

Unfortunately everyone thinks they know what is best. As the SM it is always smart to ask yourself "What is Eating Gilbert Grape?" That means realize that everything that comes out of someone else's mouth should not be taken at face value. Find out what the real problem is before responding and the situation will most likely work out (at least to some degree). In your case, the actor tells you they are going to have a light you can't let them have. The real problem is they can't see, but if you ask why they need the light you find out they can't see in the blackout and the solution is glow tape and an ASM at the exit.

122

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Mentorship Program

« on: Oct 13, 2008, 11:01 pm »

I concur with the previous post. We have a similar system here at my college. When you enter college you are matched with a mentor. Then the next year you receive and mentizzle. It is very successful in creating a large group of friendships and helps teach freshman the ins and outs of the department. It also encourages them to socialize more and keep active in the department.

123

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student Stage Manager's Challenge #4: When being an SM and a friend collide

« on: Oct 13, 2008, 10:57 pm »

Similar situations have crossed SMs at my college. It is rare, but we discuss it because it can be a potential issue. Personally, my friends are well aware of the two sides of my personality. They have the side they are friends with the the stage manager side which treats them like professional actors. When we had a late issue the director was the one to step in and lay down the law, but I made sure to discuss the issue with them during a break or after rehearsal and make sure this would not happen again.

In the case of the person being a good friend or roommate I have to enforce the rules set before me by the production staff: if you are a minute late your understudy goes on for the day. Like others said, after the rehearsal I would have a heart to heart with my friend not as their SM but as a friend and let them talk it out. Then I would invite them to come early and talk to me before rehearsal. If the situation persisted I would personally have no say in replacing them. If this was a serious consideration I would discuss the possibility with my friend as a fair warning to either figure out how to leave the problems at the door on time or accept the inevitable that this is not the best time for production responsibilities for her.

124

Employment / U/RTA's for the non-Grad bound SM student...

« on: Sep 10, 2008, 10:50 am »

I was searching through the forums for old topics on U/RTA's but non really addressed the Resident side of the U/RTA's. I know mostly grad hopefuls focus on the U/RTA's, but my college recommends all tech students participate even if they intend to go straight into the job market. I would not be attending U/RTA until the month after my graduation (I graduate Dec '09 and would attend Jan/Feb '10).

Basically, does anyone know how many non-educational theatre companies actually attend U/RTA? Most people talk about the SM usually being in Chicago, so do any Chicago theatres attend (like Goodman, Steppenwolf, etc)? I just can't decide if this is worth my time (unless a grad school decides I'm so good that they want to pay 100% of my grad education).

Thanks!

125

Employment / Re: Question about names

« on: Sep 02, 2008, 10:54 am »

Kind of on this same line of thought:

At my college I do a lot of volunteer crew duties, like attending hang and focus, but since I am not on the official crew I am not credited in the program. Some advice has told me it is acceptable to list that on my resume, especially since it is in educational theatre.

Would you agree? How would you list it (in the example as working at a hang and focus)?

126

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: calling cues? (warning vs standby)

« on: Jul 11, 2008, 11:51 pm »

I remember the first time I actually called a show in college I mixed the two up. I would say "Warning for Lights 12....lights 12 go." No one told me I was doing it backwards and I found out when we went over cue-ing two weeks later in my SM II class. I was so embarrassed that I had been doing it wrong, but it was my first time and it was a dance show rather than a mainstage musical. But it did explain why when I said "Warning for..." my crew usually replied with "Light standing...I mean warned...". 

No worries and break a leg with your first show. You will do great since you thought to ask the question.

127

Employment / Webpage Resume

« on: Jul 07, 2008, 10:38 pm »

For my internship I've started using the google programs extensively. I was playing around and figured out how to make my own website and have been making myself a webpage of my resume. On a secondary page I have been keeping updated lists of the tasks I complete on this internship including the programing and technology I am using.

I suppose my question is if this is a good idea. The page is private right now because I am not actively seeking employment at the moment, but I wonder if anyone has had success with a resume online and if there are any recommendations to make the sight more successful if I open in publicly in the future for employers.

Thank you!

128

Tools of the Trade / Re: Things that went wrong with your technical equipment?

« on: Jul 06, 2008, 06:55 pm »

The last show I SMed that had the most trouble was the dance production. LCD Projection constantly failed or went to blue screen without warning and was particular about the type of files and order they must be played in to work. That same show had sound issues and level checks had to be redone every night because it would change constantly. Plus the speakers in the house would only work every other night on average so we had to troubleshoot constantly. And some of the choreographers I dealt with did not understand that I do not have divine control over technology and when they rent new systems to work with our old equipment no matter how many tests we do before the audience comes will not guarantee a perfect show.

129

Employment / Re: Stage Management Salary

« on: Jun 28, 2008, 07:50 pm »

Technically I'm paying right now because I am going to school, but for my internship in California (starting July 1st!) I will make $1500 for 7 weeks of work, so around $750 a month. Not a lot, but I will end up making a slight profit even after my expenses. Of course it will only be enough for a tank of gas, but still...

130

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: College Choices in the US Midwest

« on: May 08, 2008, 04:03 am »

I faced the same decision two years ago (cheap v. expensive) and I decided to go cheap to ease the burden on my family. After the first year I felt like I was missing out on so much education specific to my field and was limited because the cheap school had no specialization in anything I was really interested in.

To make a really long story short, I reconsidered the tres expensive school and I have never been happier. After one school year I have enough experience to get a graduate level internship and I'm only 20. Specialized schools that cost more are worth it if you know what you want to do (and being here in the forums signal that you know what you want).

DePaul!

131

The Green Room / Re: Cooking for Stage Management

« on: May 06, 2008, 01:29 am »

Oh, and my mother created a trail mix that is great for Tech Week:

Chex mix (original)
dried cranberries (tons)
butterscotch chips
white chocolate chips
M&Ms
candied peanuts

132

The Green Room / Re: Cooking for Stage Management

« on: May 06, 2008, 01:25 am »

Apple Walnut Salad. It has a whole meal with every nutritious thing you could need plus a sweet taste that counts as dessert.

Romaine lettuce
Cubed apples (granny smith or golden delicious are my favs)
crumbled blue cheese
candied walnuts (or pecans if you prefer)
raspberry (or balsamic) vinaigrette dressing

I like to stick them in plastic cups or small Tupperware bins and shake them to get an even blend. It is so delicious and has prolonged energy powers. Plus, they are quick to eat. Really I can create a menu around two or three ingredients that can last the week. Take the apples with some grapes and vanilla yogurt and the walnuts and you have a fruit salad. I just love to cook, but the salad is the ideal meal when you only have a few minutes and need a burst of energy (much better than energy drinks could ever be).

133

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Alertness

« on: Apr 15, 2008, 04:01 pm »

I like to play games with myself that deal with the quality of the show. For instance, I will recite (from memory and quietly to myself) a different actors lines and pin point any slight differences. Or I'll play "track the prop" where I will notice how the props moves through the space. (Ex. In my last play there was a travel pack of kleenex that moved constantly) I just have to come up with little tricks to make the show seem new and exciting every night.

Of course, I've never SM'd or been involved in a long run production of over a month, so I'm no expert at 100+ performances.

134

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student Stage Manager's Challenge #3: SMs Everywhere

« on: Apr 12, 2008, 01:01 pm »

Well, the internship I'm trying for right now has a great position for Stage Mangers outside of the stage environment. They call it the Production Manager, so instead of just dealing with a stage you are dealing with multiple shows going on in different venues very close together. It is a festival setting so basically the job is and an extensive pre-production (setting up, scheduling, assigning, and training), three week run (50-ish performances plus recording sessions for musicians), then one week of strike (returning rented equipment, putting away everything, and cleaning the venues).

Very busy and for a short engagement, but a great challenge. I would be working under the Production Manager as the Assistant Stage Manager so it would be great to help with all those tasks.

135

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Disease Prevention Techniques

« on: Mar 29, 2008, 11:28 pm »

Emergen-C

You can find huge packs of the stuff at Walmart, Walgreens, places like that. You mix it with water and you can ward off anything it seems. In my department two (possibly three) strands of flu ravished the department. Actors, crews, designers, professors and everyone else was in danger. The few people who never caught anything (including my acting teacher who was closest in contact to the sickness b/c she was directing, teaching, and private meetings at the time) all took Emergen-C while it was going around.

I was starting to get a cold this last week and I bought some and my congestion is clearing up a lot quicker than normal.