Messages

121

Employment / Re: Listing a remount on your resume?

« on: Jul 25, 2013, 06:45 pm »

On my CV, Shows are listed under the company, so it would be something like this.


2000-Present      A Production Company
                               The Jungle Book (2013)...................................................Stage Manager
                               The Lion King Tour (2002 & 2012).....................Assistant Stage Manager
                               Bambi (2002-2011)..........................................Assistant Stage Manager

Does that help?

C

122

Introductions / Re: Any other Brits around?

« on: Jul 19, 2013, 06:27 pm »

Awesome is one way to put it! Very bizarre as well though - first rehearsal was last Saturday, and tonight was our first piano dress! Absolutely manic schedule, and it's my first year, so I was a little unprepared for the foibles of this festival! Having said all that, loving it so far!

Cx

123

Introductions / Re: Any other Brits around?

« on: Jul 18, 2013, 08:13 pm »

Hi Kate - welcome!

I'm also in the UK - London based, but currently spending two weeks on an opera festival in a school in Dorset!

Cx

124

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: What am I getting myself into?

« on: Jul 13, 2013, 03:42 am »

Hi Caroline,

I can add a few more Pro's and Con's for you....

Cons
- Very little job security. If you're freelance (in the UK sense of the word - working for various different companies throughout the year), then each company are able to change their mind on who they hire, whenever they want (except when a contract is signed). A friend of mine has just lost a gig she's been doing for nearly 10 years, and it left quite a big gap in her year.
- Social time/unsociable hours. Once you hit stage sessions, you won't see anyone outside of the production team for a little while. Could be a week, could be two months. You just won't have any time or energy for socialising outside the theatre. Then, once you're on show call, you're working on a completely opposite schedule to anyone with a 9 to 5 job.
- Money. I'm sure you realise it is very, very hard to earn well in this career. While there are the big, high paying jobs, they are few and far between. As an example, I earn roughly £20-25,000 ($30,200-37,700) a year, and I'm expecting to stay in this bracket for quite a few years yet.
- Pensions. Unless you are a full time employee, companies won't operate a pension scheme, meaning you'll have to start a private one, which (generally) aren't as rewarding.
- Family. In the same vein as Social time, it's very hard to raise a child and work as a Stage Manager. This has been discussed at length in other topics, so I'll stop there - having no experience in this area myself.
- People. You will have to listen to and work with some horrible, conniving, rude, lazy and pretentious people. They may be your employee, in which case there's little you can do, or they may be a colleague, who may be weeded out by the company in a little while. You still have to work with them for the rest of the contract.

Pro's
- Job Satisfaction. I'm sure we all feel a massive buzz on first night, during the first sitz, the first day of rehearsals. On top of that (and this may sound a little conceited), I love telling others about my job - and people are interested. It's very different to working as an Insurance Salesman.
- People. Despite what I said above, you can build such a close little family through work. Of the eight people I'm currently working with (on my first contract with the company), I knew, or knew of, seven of them before. It often gets the first day nerves out of the way, and you can focus on the names of the company instead! It also means trips to the pub are less awkward at the start!
- Freedom to choose. If you don't like a company anymore, and you are confident you can find something to cover the time, then you can leave. This gives you more control on your career progression. Speaking of which....
- Unique career progression. Sounds like a weird Pro, but trust me. There is no-one who will have the same progression as you. For example, at the moment, I have pretty much skipped ASM work and gone straight into DSM work, which at the moment, is great. However, I'm hoping to work for the largest houses in the UK at some point, so I'm choosing to go back a step for a little while, so I can be a better ASM, which will in turn make me a better DSM as well!
- Vacation time. You may not have a huge amount of free time, but you can plan ahead and not take a gig. If you want two weeks off in January, and it's in between contracts, then there's nothing stopping you.

Right now, that's everything I can think of - breakfast is calling! I hope that helps your decision. As a side note, I've been out in the real world as a professional for a year (plus three years at uni before that, and 5 years at school/bit work before uni). While there are times I'd love to be on £35,000, and having 128 hours a week to myself, I don't think I'll be leaving theatre for a little while yet!

Cx

125

Tools of the Trade / Re: Simple Ground Plan Design Program

« on: Jul 06, 2013, 05:33 am »

+1 for Word!

C

126

The Green Room / Re: Book Club?

« on: Jul 02, 2013, 07:16 am »

Why are there so many Bobby's? 1.5 pages, and I'm already confused! What an absurd opening.

C

127

Introductions / Re: Hello from Oz.....but not for much longer!

« on: Jun 21, 2013, 07:20 pm »

I take it you are here now, Kat? How are you finding it?

Cx

128

Stage Management: Other / Re: COMMUNICATION: When things happen on the day off

« on: Jun 14, 2013, 04:41 am »

From my point of view, I don't really expect to be told about orchestra goings-on. That's what the Orchestra Manager is for, to be a Company Manager to the orchestra and to find replacements where necessary.

I'm very surprised you played one short - why didn't the OM find a replacement when they heard about this (presumably they were there/told relatively soon after the accident?)

C

129

The Hardline / Re: REQUIRED # OF STAGE MANGERS--LORT

« on: May 22, 2013, 05:45 pm »

I have slightly more time (I'm almost ready for bed), but the only rulebook I can find dates from 2008. I have no idea which rulebook is appropriate from this page (http://actorsequity.org/library/library.asp?cat=3), but this book (http://actorsequity.org/docs/rulebooks/LORT_Rulebook_05-08.pdf) states:

Rule 63. STAGE MANAGERS AND ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS
(B) Assistant Stage Managers.
(1) An Assistant Stage Manager is the individual who is assigned to assist the Stage
Manager(s) on a specific production or productions. An Assistant Stage Manager may
not be assigned the primary responsibility for a production. No Actor already under
contract may be assigned as Assistant Stage Manager in the same production. The
first Assistant Stage Manager may not act.

(2) In all Theatre categories, each required Assistant Stage Manager shall be engaged
and receive contractual salary beginning at least two days prior to the first day of
rehearsal for each production of the season unless already under contract.

(3) A replacement Assistant Stage Manager may be engaged on a one-week contract.

(4) “A” Category. There shall be at least one first Assistant Stage Manager in each
company, and in addition to the Stage Manager, each production must be assigned an
Assistant Stage Manager who shall be responsible for and perform the Assistant
Stage Managerial functions. If an “A” Theatre performs in Repertory, at least two first
Assistant Stage Managers must be employed.

(5) “B+” and “B” Categories. In addition to the Stage Manager, there shall be at least
one first Assistant Stage Manager in each company. Each production must be
assigned an Assistant Stage Manager who shall be responsible for and perform the
assistant stage managerial functions. When more than one production is in rehearsal
and/or performance, the stage managerial staff shall be, at the Theatre’s option, either
two Stage Managers or one Stage Manager and two Assistant Stage Managers. If the
Theatre does not hire a second Assistant Stage Manager, the first Assistant Stage
Manager shall assume the stage managerial duties and shall be contracted by rider as
Stage Manager for that period. Should the Theatre choose the option of two Stage
Managers, each may be assigned as Assistant Stage Manager for the other
production.

(6) “C” Category. In addition to the Stage Manager, each Chorus musical production
must be assigned an Assistant Stage Manager who shall be responsible for and
perform only the Assistant Stage Managerial functions. This provision shall expire
February 28, 2009.
In non-Repertory Companies, when there are individual Stage Managers for each
production, no Assistant Stage Manager shall be required. However, when more than
one production is in rehearsal and/or performance, there shall be, at the Theatre’s
option, either two Stage Managers or one Stage Manager and two Assistant Stage
Managers. If the Theatre does not hire a second Assistant Stage Manager, the first
Assistant Stage Manager shall assume the Stage Managerial duties and shall be
contracted by rider as Stage Manager for that period. If a “C” Theatre is performing in
Repertory, at least two Stage Managers shall be employed.

(7) “D” Category. In addition to the Stage Manager, each Chorus Musical production
must be assigned an Assistant Stage Manager who shall be responsible for and
perform only the Assistant Stage Managerial functions. This provision shall expire
February 28, 2009.

In non-Repertory Companies, when there are individual Stage Managers for each
production, no Assistant Stage Manager shall be required. However, when there is
only one Stage Manager and there is one show in rehearsal and one show in
performance during a given week, an Assistant Stage Manager shall be required. If a
“D” Theatre is performing in Repertory, at least two Stage Managers shall be
employed.

I hope that helps?

C (A very wary Brit, who feels very out of his depth with AEA things...)

130

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: Personal reasons NOT to do a show?

« on: May 09, 2013, 09:26 pm »

This is actually really relevant, considering this news from Germany today!

If you were working on this show, (particularly a question to any Jewish members, I suppose) would you leave? Would you voice any concerns/issues you had?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22461400

On a personal note, I don't think there is anything I would walk out for. Like bretnexx, I would only have an issue if a show made something (homphobia, rape, racism....) seem acceptable. These things all happen in this world anyway - a show is not going to change anyone's minds drastically on a topic like this.

131

The Green Room / Re: Tony Awards

« on: May 09, 2013, 09:18 pm »

There could always be a danger of it becoming a popularity contest - it's run by the Stage Management Association, and there are five different awards

Individual member of Stage Management - can be nominated by anyone working professionally in theatre. This can be CM/CSM/SM/DSM/ASM
Stage Management Team - can be nominated by anyone working professionally in theatre
Student Stage Manager - nominated by their respective college tutors
Outstanding contribution to Stage Management - can be nominated by anyone working professionally in theatre
'Golden Headset' award - nominated by a member of the SMA for their 'Theatre heroes'.

Once nominations are received, a panel then picks a winner, based on their knowledge of the person, the work they have done and the information given on the nomination form.

More info here: http://www.stagemanagementassociation.co.uk/conference/awards

Matthew, Kay- I hope this has helped?

C

132

The Green Room / Re: Tony Awards

« on: May 07, 2013, 12:04 pm »

In the end, I am very glad there are no awards for stage management - - - I think it would be a bad thing in the end.  I take the greatest award from a job well done.

We have them here in the UK...

133

Employment / Re: What are you looking for in the next job>

« on: Apr 28, 2013, 12:31 pm »

Right now, in the position I am in (both career-wise and financially), I'd simply be happy in a long-term or permanent job with a decent salary (£25k+) and some scope for progression.

I'm currently writing the application for my dream job, and it's the hardest one I've ever done. The questions aren't difficult, I'm just so conscious of not getting them 'right'.

ARGH!

134

Job Postings / Re: SeaWorld, San Antonio - Seasonal Stage Manager

« on: Apr 05, 2013, 01:43 pm »

Will they take someone from the UK? Please?

135

Employment / Re: Resumes - jobs in a few months

« on: Mar 19, 2013, 01:28 pm »

Thanks Matthew - and how do you think I should list it? Under Upcoming Projects, or just with the rest of my completed work?

C

EDIT: Also, I've just noticed your number of posts matches the year....the OCD inside me jumped for joy.