Messages

16

The Green Room / Re: What did you learn today?

« on: Jul 21, 2010, 09:24 pm »

Today I learned a new "kata" (choreographed pattern of movements) for my form of karate (I just moved up a belt level).  I had to remind myself that although it is frustrating, eventually I will know it and I won't see why it was so difficult in the first place.

I also learned that a theater with broken air-conditioning in 90 degree heat and high humidity is, in fact, much less pleasant than being outside in the same heat.  At least outside there is the hope of a breeze.

17

The Green Room / Re: Being friends with other stage managers

« on: Jul 18, 2010, 09:53 pm »

Very interesting topic!

As a stage manager in NYC, I do find myself having quite a few SM friends.  In face, some of my closest friends are stage managers. 

Some of my SM friends I'm closer to and we share jobs when one can't take them, or celebrate over drinks when someone gets a fantastic job.  These are my closer stage manager friends.  Very rarely do I get jealous of these friends ... however, when I find that happening I take time to step back and take stock and be genuinely happy for them.  Some of my stage manager friends are in my age range, but I do find myself having many stage manager friends that are much more seasoned than I am, which I find fantastic for so many reasons.

Some other stage manager "friends" in my circle I do find myself not making the time for, or getting jealous when they get a good job that I wanted.  These are really more acquaintances, I suppose.  I try to realize why they may have gotten the call when I didn't.  It doesn't always make me feel better, and reminds me to tread lightly.

What I've found interesting, in the past 2 years, is that many of the stage managers I'm friends with in my age range (late 20's - early 30's) are starting to leave the industry ... or at least this specific field.  I have friends working in other industries, friends going to grad school in the arts, etc.  These friends I find myself seeing less and less of as they transition back into more "normal" lifestyles than the theater.

18

The Green Room / Re: Summer projects

« on: Jul 14, 2010, 09:53 am »

I did something that was a little scary to me this summer ... I actually booked a vacation and made the decision to turn-down work that would interfere if it wasn't a big enough contract.  Over the winter I found amazing airfare to Peru and decided to just do it!

So, my husband and I went to Peru for a week and it was amazing.  And I did turn down a few small contracts, but I know that this was the right decision.

If you ever get a chance, Peru is a beautiful country and the people are wonderful!

19

Tools of the Trade / Re: Useful Literature

« on: Jul 01, 2010, 08:49 am »

When I was in school one of the books that was required reading for stage management was They Shoot Managers, Don't They?.  It's a pretty good book about managing in general.  While some of it doesn't apply, it is largely helpful in management techniques.

20

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COMMUNICATION: Describing Audience Reactions in Performance Reports

« on: Dec 16, 2009, 01:59 pm »

I tend to always put audience reaction in my reports when calling from a booth position where I can really gauge the audience...I find for comedies, etc. it's helpful to track what the audience is responding to.  Since I do a lot of new works, playwrights like to know what works/what doesn't.  The PR people also seem to like finding out what their audience base likes.

A thesaurus is always helpful for finding new ways to say the same thing.  I usually pull out a moment or two in which the audience really seemed to connect with the action (raucous laughter, attentively watching on the edge of their seat, I could hear people sniffling...) I'll also say if it's a "quiet but attentive" audience.  Usually I'll put the reaction at curtain call (enthusiastic applause, standing ovation, etc).

21

The Green Room / Re: "the understudy" - new show starring a stage manager

« on: Dec 05, 2009, 09:51 pm »

I actually saw "The Understudy" the other day, with a SM friend of mine.  Julie White plays the stage manager, and is quite good in the role!  There is a great deal of the stage manager being emotional, etc. throughout the performance - however it is written into the script. 

Basically it's a 3-person show, the other two actors are Mark Paul Gosselaar & Justin Kirk (I can't remember the characters names and don't currently have the program handy).  The show takes place during an understudy rehearsal, where Justin Kirk plays the Understudy.   There is a past relationship between the understudy & the stage manager and a few other reasons why she is thrown for a loop with him being there thus catching her off-guard and more emotional than one would expect of a stage manager.   There are many times throughout the play where the actor (Mark Paul Gosselaar) does point out that the stage manager usually doesn't act like this, and details the reasons why she is so great at her job.  While she is emotional, she does manage to continue to fulfill her duties as the stage manager.

Overall, my friend & I both really enjoyed the show and there was enough "insider" stuff to make us happy, but I think a lot of it also carries through to people that are not in the industry.

22

The Hardline / Re: TDF Membership

« on: Sep 18, 2009, 09:32 pm »

I'm actually just about to renew my TDF membership.  I do use it enough to make it worth-my-while.  There are always shows that are popular that I want to see that aren't listed, but I've been able to see a lot of shows for quite inexpensive via TDF.  One show I saw on B'way paid for the membership itself when 3 TDF tickets were cheaper than 1 regular ticket. 

Plus...they are usually more discounted than at the TKTS booth and you don't have to worry about the hassle of standing in line.

23

The Hardline / Re: NYMF Showcase - three 8 hour days or 2 10 of 12's??

« on: Sep 02, 2009, 11:03 pm »

It always is.     What venue are you in?

24

The Hardline / Re: NYMF Showcase - three 8 hour days or 2 10 of 12's??

« on: Sep 01, 2009, 11:07 pm »

NomieRae:

From my experience, it is either the 8 hour days OR the 12 hour days...not a pick and choose.

I've also always counted the tech/opening day as one of the 8 hour days.

Let me know what the rep says!

25

Tools of the Trade / Re: Digital Prompt Books (Do you use them?)

« on: Jun 22, 2009, 01:00 pm »

I started typing up digital copies of my scripts about 3 years ago, and now do it about 80% of the time.  Shows I do run anywhere from a week to a few months. 

I also show up early to type it up during tech, and do everything in Word.

I've found it useful when doing outdoor theater, as even though my calling station is indoors, my script still has a tendency to get wet.  That and I sometimes have a hard time reading pencil in low-light or blue-light.  So, I find the printed copy (yes...I print the copies and do not call off of my computer screen) much easier to read.  And I feel I can rest a little easier knowing that I can just print off a page should anything happen.

26

The Green Room / Re: How do you keep in shape?

« on: Jun 02, 2009, 02:21 pm »

In the past year and a half or so I've been exercising a lot more and found it greatly helps the mental stress of stage management. 

Previously I had a gym membership, and would sort of go when I was in performances but always slacked off when I was in rehearsals.  (ie...I'd go on my day off and that was about it.)

What's changed?  Around a year and a half ago I quit the gym and started taking karate.  My acupuncturist had my try out this amazing dojo that is centrally located to most of the theaters I work at and happens to be the worldwide headquarters, so it offers a multitude of classes to accommodate my varying schedules.  (None of these are reasons why he sent me there, just part of the reason why I've chosen this place and stuck with it).  So...when I'm in rehearsal I try to hit up a 7:30am class or an evening class and when I'm in performance mode I go to something mid-morning.  I've found martial arts fantastic because this style that I'm taking is very zen-based and the mental is just as important, if not more so, then the physical.  I've found a lot of actors, musicians, other theater professionals in my classes as well as therapists (massage, acupuncture, etc) are there as well.  I've become friends with tons of folks, so it helps motivate me to go even when I'm incredibly busy. And..my teachers always ask if I've been away for a few days, so the guilt factor is good sometimes.  This helps keep me in shape mentally and physically.  Seriously, I could go on and on about my karate for hours.

In the past 4-5 months I've also started running regularly.  We will see how this fares when I get back into rehearsal, but occasionally when I know I have a long break between rehearsal/meetings or a decent dinner break I bring my shoes to the theater and will jog on my break.  I'm also starting to train for a 1/2 marathon come the fall.  Fingers crossed..

27

Employment / Re: Moving for a Career

« on: Jun 02, 2009, 02:11 pm »

The only permanent move I have made thusfar was from Chicago to NYC.  It was right after I got married and neither my husband (who is a set designer) or I had a show lined up, but took a leap of faith.  Luckily it has worked out for both of us.

Otherwise, I have worked regionally but the move was only for the term of the contract and it included housing, etc.

28

The Hardline / Re: Deputy on a One Man Show

« on: Apr 14, 2009, 05:26 pm »

I have also been the deputy for a one-man show and there were no problems with my fulfilling that role.

29

Tools of the Trade / Re: Oops! I didn't mean to send that.

« on: Mar 28, 2009, 10:25 am »

The other thing that I try to do is not put in the email addresses in until I am ready to send.  Again, doesn't work if you use reply to all, but is one step to help prevent sending new emails to the wrong people.

Just my opinion, but I feel like reply to all should almost never be used.  It creates a lot of mail that people don't necessarily need (taking up server space), and frequently sends info to people who are not involved in whatever the discussion is.  This invites one more cook to the kitchen with their opinion of how something should work or be resolved, which is not always a good thing.  Again, just my opinion, and certainly there are times when it is a benefit, not a detriment.

I'm with ScooterSM on both counts here....after mistakenly sending many an email to the wrong person, I almost never put the persons email address in the "TO" field until i've finished the email, proofed it and attached anything that might need attaching.  Then I always double check.  This has helped me a lot in the past year.

I very rarely use "Reply to All" - sometimes responses are not everyone's business and I hate it when I get an email to me that's been "replied to all" that half the people on the list really don't need to see.

Also, I ocassionally have problems amending my groups in gmail, so when creating report groups, etc. I have taken to creating the group and then cutting and pasting it into a "sticky note" on my Mac, so I just cut and paste the full distribution list when sending out reports. 

30

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Working with animals?

« on: Mar 12, 2009, 09:24 am »

I would second everything said by CTsometimeSM.

I've never had a monkey but I've had a fair share of cats, dogs and a live piglet onstage.  The big thing is to make sure that the animal has a handler who knows about the animal, and that's primary responsibility is caring for the animal when it's not onstage.

Always expect the unexpected when a live animal is involved, both onstage and off.  And when people other then the animal are working with the animal they should remain calm and collected.  If you are using a live monkey it's probably wise for everyone to meet and get comfortable with it prior to actually trying to rehearse with it.

Good luck!  I look forward to hearing more about this!