Messages

1456

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REHEARSALS: prompting requests around the world

« on: Jan 09, 2010, 08:59 pm »

I have also worked with directors (British model) who expect me to know where the pauses are, and if there is a undesired paused, I should be jumping in with the line.  It's a very aggressive way to prompt, and casts take a while to get used to it - and it's a pain in a lot of ways - but if that is what the director wants . . .

1457

The Hardline / Re: Half Hour Call

« on: Jan 08, 2010, 03:03 pm »

Yeah, classical theatre and small bladders do not mix.

I actually look for places in the calling script if I had to duck out of the booth, where I can.

1458

The Hardline / Re: Half Hour Call

« on: Jan 08, 2010, 10:42 am »

No, considering you are doing it under show conditions (not planning on stopping and running) - then I think this would be a "show condition" where the break would not be required.  Although I could make the argument for the 5 minute break, I think it would be waste of everyone's time.  If the half-hour was a true half-hour, and there was no excessive costumes, make-up, etc . . . then I was just say were are running under show conditions, with half-hour and the run of Act 1.

Although, that's a very good question, as I am staring down a 1 hour 50 minute first act of my current show, which means under show conditions, there is 2 hours and 20 minutes before their first break - although there is no one actor in every scene . . . many have at least 30 minutes where they are not on stage.

1459

The Hardline / Re: Half Hour Call

« on: Jan 05, 2010, 09:05 pm »

Yep, that's the answer I think . . . but I am amazed by how people think the first break is not due until 1:50p. 

1460

The Hardline / Re: Half Hour Call

« on: Jan 05, 2010, 04:01 pm »

I also love this puzzler.

Okay, it's tech.

Actors are called for a 12:00n Half-Hour Call, and then you start on stage at 12:30p to work (NOT RUN).  When is the first AEA break due?

1461

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REHEARSALS: prompting requests around the world

« on: Dec 30, 2009, 11:59 pm »

I have heard "line", "word", "yes", "Bugger me or Bollocks" (That's how Sir Ian McKellen Called for lines", I have been sworn at, snapped at, stomped at, "what", "give it to me", "!%@# Me', etc, etc.

I find that you sort of learn how to prompt based on each individual actor.

1462

The Hardline / Re: AEA Break Question

« on: Dec 29, 2009, 07:46 am »

Doing classical theatre we run into this all time.  My current Act 1 times in at 1 hour 45 minutes - yes, when we run it, we do so without a break.

1463

Students and Novice Stage Managers / SM Internships for The Shakespeare Theatre Company 10/11

« on: Dec 26, 2009, 10:04 pm »

Never to early to start looking for interns for next season.  Although all applications need to go through the education department, please feel free to email me directly if you have any questions:  mshiner@shakespearetheatre.org

Season is TBA right now.

Stage Management
Stage management interns work closely with Equity and non-Equity stage managers, assisting in all aspects of stage management, from pre-production preparation into rehearsal and through the run of the show as part of the running crew. Interns may have the opportunity to stage manage special events and are eligible to receive EMC points.

SM interns also stage manage our Rediscovery series, a stage reading with AEA Company Members.


Housing + Stipend Available

Internships start roughly July 5, 2010 and continue thru June or July, 2011

Contact Us:
516 8th St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
Education Hotline: 202.547.5688

Link for more information: http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/education/training/internships/apply.aspx



ALL OTHER INTERNSHIPS AND NON-ACTING FELLOWSHIPS

    * Candidates should submit: a current resume, three references and a cover letter that indicates the specific internship they are applying for, dates of availability and responses to the following questions:
          o Why are you interested in an internship at this time? Why have you chosen the Shakespeare Theatre Company?
          o What qualities, skills and interests make you the best candidate for this internship?
          o What are your career goals? How does an internship at the Shakespeare Theatre Company help you to achieve them?

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS REQUIRED:

    * Intern/fellow candidates for Theatre Management, Artistic, Development, Education, Directing and PR/Marketing should include a 3-5 page writing sample or excerpt. Writing samples can be academic in nature, formal critiques, essays, press releases, grant evaluations/proposals, original lesson plans/curriculum or director’s notes. Candidates should avoid submitting creative writing samples such as script excerpts or poetry.
    * Intern candidates for Production Management, Sound, Electrics, Stage Properties, Stage Management, Technical Direction and Graphic Design should include portfolio samples (in place of a writing sample). These samples can include attachments to photos/files or links to online portfolios. Candidates should avoid submitting originals or large, hard-copy portfolio items.
    * Apprenticeship candidates should make sure to indicate that the application is being submitted for consideration for an Apprenticeship and indicate the specific department (as there is no general apprenticeship). Additionally, apprenticeship candidates should note the span of time s/he is available for.
    * Summer internship candidates should make sure to indicate that the application is being submitted for consideration for a Summer Education Internship.

Send completed application via email to: STCinterns@shakespearetheatre.org

Or via postal service to    2010-2011 Internships and Fellowships
Shakespeare Theatre Company
516 Eighth Street SE
Washington, DC 20003

Or via fax to:     202.547.0226

Due to the high volume of applications, please do not call or email as the education department will not be able to return phone calls and emails in a timely manner. All candidates will receive email verification of receipt (please allow 1-2 weeks for processing).

1464

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PEOPLE: obnoxious crew member

« on: Dec 21, 2009, 12:01 am »

It's interesting, in my theatre situation, we have a lot of conversations about "supervisor" and "Boss".  Although I supervise the crew, and can give notes ot them, if there is a head to head issue, there is a crew ops person is who in charge of the stage crew (like the Head of LX department is the boss for the Light Board Operator . . . ).  Something like the situation you described, I would go directly to the production manager / or the ops manager in my theater, because in some ways, I am not the direct supervisor/boss, but I do supervise their work.

Every theatre is so radically different in this, it pay to get know the hierarchy.

1465

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Resume questions

« on: Dec 19, 2009, 10:23 am »

I think there is a place for a two page resume, but it's at a certain point in your career - like 20 years down the line.  But it depends on where and what you are applying for, and what level.  Applying for a PA with two pages of resume is a little too much, applying for a resident PSM for a major theater or a Broadway production, two pages may not be so bad.

Putting "Selected credits" is unnecessary, as it is assumed, and I always see it as a red flag that something was left off on purpose - like you were hiding something.

I feel like you will know when it's time to have two pages.

1466

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Shadowing: General Q&A

« on: Dec 18, 2009, 06:53 pm »

"I'm a new stage manager and am very interested in seeing how a Broadway show runs!"

I actually think that would turn me off I received a letter stating something generic like that, be more specific . . .  "I am a student stage manager, and interested to see a the specifics of running a large scale commercial show" - sounds better - even better do some research on what you find particularly interesting about that specific show.  I mean, you should have a basic understanding on how a Broadway show runs, I means - it's not that radically different then any other show - it just has more people, more money, more toys.  If you seem a bit more educated, it may open the doors up quicker - theatre is dangerous backstage, and if you come off naive and completely uneducated, I don't want you shadowing on deck.   

When I did two weeks of observing shows in New York, and 8 weekends in Las Vegas shadowing on shows - the way I presented it was, I was about to graduate and was I interested in exploring options for career goals. I used connections from school, co-workers, etc, to get me personal introductions, and then . . . as I cold-contacted other stage managers, I said, I have already set up observations on show X, Y and Z, and hoping that I could fill my time with shadowing on your show . . . it was pretty quick to fill up my dance card - I was in town for 14 days, I think I shadowed on 18 shows, and met stage managers form other shows.   I never used as a job search, I never dropped of my resume, never spoke to them like, "Hey, I am graduating in six months, hire me." I just honestly keep my eyes open, ears open, asked good questions, and used it as the tremendous learning opportunity it turned out to be.

Another side hit, I actually find it better to shadow on a show you have seen - - - it keeps you focusing on the backstage stuff, rather then the interesting onstage stuff.  It also allowed me to try to figure out how things happened backstage when I watched, and then see how close I was when I actually see it it.

1467

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How to back up the career of choice.

« on: Dec 09, 2009, 10:03 pm »

A stage manager right out of school can make anywhere between $5,000 a year, and $30,000.00  I guess it depends by how quickly you move up the ladder.  The number of stage managers out there, working at any given time, a 1,000, 2,000?  Who knows, hard to pin down.  Most of the jobs are in major metropolitan areas, where indeed the cost of living is high.  The job tops about at about $150,000.00 a year.

I am actually siding with your parents on this.  If there is anything else that you can do for a living and still be happy (for example do theater as hobby), you are probably going to end up happier in life.

The stats are a little disheartening.  Look at AEA's annual report.  Less then half of the union members (this granted includes Actors and Stage Managers who work under AEA) less then 50% of the members work, and the average number of weeks they work was a little over 15 weeks.  (Granted, actors SKEW this amazing, but interesting facts.)  The median yearly salary was just around $7,600.00.  Looking at SM contracts, there were 27,878 work weeks . . . which means, as far as AEA work, that means there was full time work for about 536 stage managers in union.  (Yes, I know there is a lot of living wage non-union work, non-AEA work, but this is the stats I have in front of me.)  536 full time SMs?  (I bet there were about 150 stage managers work full time, about 900 working part time . . . )

Seriously, the odds are stacked against you to make a living wage in this career.

Also, I have to tell you stage managing right after college is going to be the hardest years you have to work . . . you are competing with a lot of stage managers for these entry level jobs.  And since you have less experience, you are less marketable for jobs.  (It's sort of a catch-22, I don't have enough experience to get living wage jobs, and I can afford to take low paying jobs to get the experience.)

Plus, it helps, especially early in your career, to be mobile, able to move at the drop of a hat to take a job out of town, which makes it hard as well.

Listen, staging managing is a HARD job, especially if you freelance.  The job is difficult, it's long hours, tedious (at times) work, little appreciate, low pay often very early in the career cycle (if any pay).  As you work your way up the ladder, you will find yourself working 60-80 hours a week, which makes relationships hard, and if you are lucky, and end up working 52 weeks a year, six days a week, 60-hours-plus a week - relationships are nearly impossible and exhaustion and burn out become huge factors. 

Your parents are right to discourage you from going into this career.  Too many people are entering the world of theater.  Think, there about 2,400 year-colleges/universities in the country, if only 10% have a theater program, and they only send out one stage manager a year, that's 240 new people a year trying to get one of those 536 full time work? 

I find that too many your people are "the best" of their program, and are built up to think that they can make a living in this business.  It's too often the tale - someone is in love with theatre, but can't act, doesn't design, doesn't direct -but has a passion for theater.  Someone in the program asks them to stage manage, they find they have a knack for it, and they are offer a service to the department, so soon they are stage managing more shows - and they think they can make a living at it, and the school wants to encourage them (obviously), but at the end of the day - not everyone can make in this business.  There are not enough jobs.  Too many people don't have the talent, the drive, the management skills, the leadership skills - and end up getting frustrated and spending too much time chasing a dream that is just not going to come true.   Balancing day jobs and stage managing is possibly, but you quickly learn that it's very hard to work a day job and be a full-time stage manager. 

NOW . . . I know nothing about you, your history, your dreams, your aspirations.  But, I am just saying . . . all things being equal, this is a damn hard path. 

Are you still in college?  Do an internship, get a sense of what the job is like in the real world, see how your skills are marketable.

Sorry, I don't mean to be Debbie Downer, but I don't think your parents are being idiots to discourage you.

1468

The Green Room / Re: New web site about stage managers?

« on: Dec 07, 2009, 03:15 pm »

Im my response back,  it was mentioned wanting to create a moderated, edited web site about stage management - not for profit, just wanted to include my website for inclusion.  

1469

The Green Room / Re: New web site about stage managers?

« on: Dec 07, 2009, 10:47 am »

No, it's legit.  Have got an pretty long detailed answer back from the person starting up the website.

1470

The Green Room / Re: New web site about stage managers?

« on: Dec 07, 2009, 07:17 am »

I got an inquiry as well.

I too asked about who it was, but pretty much okay'ed them linking to my sight.

Seems to be harmless enough.