Messages

16

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Dear Abby: What classes would you look for in a BFA stage management program?

« on: Nov 03, 2012, 11:31 pm »

Classes I took that have really come in handy over the years:

Theatre History 1 & 2, Scenery Design, Lighting Design, Art History, all of my History classes, German classes (great for doing Brecht and Faust and WW2-centered shows), Piano, Voice, Acting, Rendering and Drafting, Sound Design, Red Cross First Aid, EMT, Directing, Script Analysis (don't remember the real name--great book:  Backwards and Forwards by Ball), Stage Management, Accounting, Computer application classes.

Classes I wish I had taken, but didn't know I should have:

Music Theory, Opera Appreciation, Stage Combat, Physical Movement, Drawing and Drafting, Intro to Psych, Costume History, Stage craft, Make-up, Automation (didn't exist when I was in college), Physics of sound, Playwriting, Videoediting, Photoshop (didn't exist at the time), basic electronics.

LOTS AND LOTS OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN EVERY TECHNICAL AREA, INCLUDING FRONT-OF-HOUSE. 

DIRECTING AT LEAST 1 SHOW FROM START TO FINISH.

ASM'ING AT LEAST 3 SHOWS UNDER DIFFERENT PSM'S AND DIRECTORS
PSM'ING AT LEAST 2 SHOWS.  (That way you learn what you did wrong the first time and are able to improve the second time.)

17

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Do you call from house or backstage?

« on: Mar 12, 2008, 10:05 am »

FOH is for me!  I usually have an ASM backstage to handle the problems back there, who is always in contact with me.  If there is a necessity to call a cue from backstage, the ASM is always there to do it, but the FOH position gives me the ability to see the entire stage to catch problems that may happen--OK, will happen--keeps me in better contact with my crew as light and sound booths as well as spot positions are FOH, and it keeps me away from the distractions backstage.

18

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: I have an ASM for the first time....what do I do with him???

« on: Mar 12, 2008, 10:01 am »

I have two SMs--I haven't really designated either as an ASM, as their both taking on many responsibilities, and if one is gone, I expect the other to do both jobs.

I let them choose who wanted to run the sound system for rehearsals, as we won't have a dedicated sound tech until we do load-in (we rent a theatre that comes with a sound tech).  The other one is on book, takes line notes, etc.  The one running sound will end up calling the show, and the one on book will become my deck supervisor/cast liason during the run.

19

Uploaded Forms / Re: Line Notes (for going "off book")

« on: Mar 12, 2008, 09:34 am »

While stage management is my passion, I am a teacher of theatre at a high school--which means I direct the plays and train my stage managers.  As the director, I have the opportunity to make my stage managers' jobs a little easier by putting the burden on the actor to look up their errors in the script.

Attached is my line notes form in Excel.  There is one sheet per character.  The SMs type the line notes directly into the computer during the rehearsal and then copy and paste the notes into emails at the end of the rehearsal.  The actors are required to review these notes before their next rehearsal.  All actors have to number their lines before the first rehearsal to aid with blocking and a subtext assignment, so using the line numbers is not a problem.  As a director, I would rather the actor actually open the script and review the entire line than have my stage managers waste valuable time copying down words out of the script.

20

Tools of the Trade / Re: Binder Spines - I need your feedback!

« on: Nov 12, 2007, 04:02 pm »

I get metallic markers and write on the binder itself.

However, I don't store my old prompt books in three-ring binders.  I transfer them to pressboard "transfer" binders.  They save a lot of room on the bookshelf, as they lay flat.  I write the name of the play on the spine--which is now the side of the papers pushed together.

21

Uploaded Forms / Re: Actor/Scene Breakdowns

« on: Nov 12, 2007, 03:56 pm »

Here's another actor/scene breakdown--this one in Word.

22

Uploaded Forms / Entrances and Exits Tracking

« on: Nov 12, 2007, 03:55 pm »

Here is a version of my entrances and exits tracking.  I make this after I do a grid of character breakdown.  Both help with scheduling rehearsals and creating call sheets.

23

Uploaded Forms / Re: Actor/Scene Breakdowns

« on: Nov 12, 2007, 03:53 pm »

Here's my version in Excel format.  I use colors to designate different character groups so it is easier to track.

24

Tools of the Trade / Re: Bingo Dabbers or Daubers...

« on: Nov 11, 2007, 11:46 pm »

I use neon garage-sale dots.  I get the ones that you can use in a laser printer and pre-print Q numbers and carats on them.  I try to put them right in the text, under the line you will be calling.

O Melody, please marry me
                      ^
                     L20

the ^L20 would be on a flourescent green dot, with sound cues on flourescent pink.

25

Tools of the Trade / Re: Trees on stage

« on: Nov 11, 2007, 11:43 pm »

I used Christmas trees on stage for a 1-week run.  We "trimmed" them so they looked more like an evergreen forest than a Christmas tree, but they held out.  They wouldn't have made it more than a week though.

We're also fortunate to have a wholesale nursery across the street from us.  We have to pay a deposit, but we are allowed to "borrow" greenery provided they come back in good condition--else we forfeit the deposit.

Watering, sunlight, bugs, and the weight of the trees would be my concern.  You'll definitely want them on casters.

26

Tools of the Trade / Re: Stage Manager Books/Manuels

« on: Nov 11, 2007, 11:27 pm »

For a beginning stage manager, I really like The Stage Management Handbook by Ionazzi.

27

Tools of the Trade / Re: Backstage booth/SM area

« on: Nov 11, 2007, 11:14 pm »

Your own built-in running light with a dimmer switch.

A mounted microphone holder for your "God" mic if it is "handheld."

A power strip with surge supressor for your computer and other things.

Place for your own sound monitor with volume control.

A permanent place for your headset--especially if it is wired--have it mounted to the unit.

A cup holder for your sealed bottle of water.

Another cup holder for pencils and pens.

28

Tools of the Trade / Re: Pre-Show Music

« on: Nov 11, 2007, 11:07 pm »

Before using anything with a copywright, make sure that your theatre has paid the appropriate royalties and has obtained permission for such use.  Most theatres pay a flat-fee for the year, but some "forget" to do the right thing.

29

Tools of the Trade / Re: Keeping Spike tape down...

« on: Nov 11, 2007, 11:05 pm »

Use the clear packing tape but then plan a few hours to take some rubbing alcohol to the residue when you transfer from the rehearsal room to the performance space.  (I usually save this lovely job the ASM who has done the least amount of work thus far.)

30

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM Software

« on: Nov 11, 2007, 11:02 pm »

I've created an Access database application that I use to keep track of my cues and actor information.  I now do my set designs in Google Sketchup--which allows me to do my blocking in 3D on the projector--my actors love it.  I can even copy and paste a screen shot of the blocking into my script.

One thing that does everything--you need a stage manager to do that.  We can't be replaced by technology.