Messages

16

Employment / Two sided resume?

« on: Jan 08, 2008, 06:07 pm »

Here's a question along the lines of 1-2 page resumes. Would back and front printing be acceptable?  For example, I've got my resume down to one page with the exception of my references.  Could I put something like "see reverse side for references" at the bottom of the 1st page and then list them on the back?

17

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: There may be trouble ahead....!

« on: Jun 01, 2007, 03:23 pm »

Just a quick note of "Good on you" to you free-lancers!!      

I can see the burn-out factor would be so much higher for you!!!

I must remember to be grateful for my 52 week contract- even though it means I'm Company Manager and Stage Manager; at least I have a check every week and regular benefits! whew!

I'm counting the days till the moment comes when theater will actually pay my rent and I can quit my other job(s)!!!!! I only hope it's not too many years away!!!!!!!! 

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dressing For The Part?

« on: Jun 01, 2007, 03:09 pm »

it freakin' boggles my mind that they think this is "professional looking." I know this should be another thread, but...whatever happened to leading by example? Not to say that I am the epitome, (far from it) but...I have to wonder: where have all the mentors gone?

Me too- and I'm a member of that age demographic!  Personally, I don't think it's so much a lack of mentors as an attitude/perspective problem among the young adults of my generation.  Freedom of dress and expression seems to have trumped modesty and professional attire accompanied by a 'why does it matter? if you got it, flaunt it' attitude like Centaura mentioned. 

I want to be treated professionally and get noticed because I do good work.  NOT because my pants are hanging down to such an extent that it's distracting everyone in the room! Same goes for shirts that are too light and/or low. And people that dress like that wonder why they're not taken seriously?!?!     

Recently while doing some work for a production company that does mostly concerts and corporate events, I noticed that all of the production company technicians were wearing black polo shirts with the company logo on them.  After watching them I decided to get one for myself (minus the logo of course) for two reasons,
1) I will probably be doing more work with this company in the future and until such time as they decide to provide me with one of their shirts I want to blend in
2) I like the polo because it looks a little crisper than a t-shirt but is still very functional and good for many occasions. 

19

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: School or work?

« on: Mar 05, 2007, 10:15 am »

This is a really interesting topic to me because I'm living it right now! 

I started my full-time college career (took 18 hours as a senior in HS) at a privet liberal arts university majoring in arts administration.  After one semester, I realized that even with my scholarship (which covered about half of my tuition) order to stay at that school I would have to take out huge loans, something I was not willing to do.  So, I decided to transfer to the local community college and get an AA in theater. 

The city I live in, Louisville, KY, has a wonderful theater community with lots of opportunities.  Now, I'm taking classes part-time and focusing on networking with the different companies and theater professionals here.  I haven't decided yet wether or not I'm going to go back and get a BA or BFA after I finish my AA in 9 months or so. It's Probably going to depend on what gigs I'm able to land and if I have the $$$ for more school.  Much like the pervious poster said, I too have only ever ascribed to highest standards of professionalism and desired to work in an environment that shares those ideals.

I have found that I learn best by actually working in the environment rather than talking about it in the classroom.  As a matter of fact, there are times when I get tired of being the most experienced person in my classes. I already have a decent resume built up for someone of my age having spent the last 5+ years working at the community and university level, and have high hopes of being able to get some great work.   If I'm able to start getting work that I like, I may very well put off more schooling for a while because I really dislike trying to balance shows, classes, and the necessary blue-collar rent paying job. 

Anyway, that's my little story.  It's great to hear everyone else's perspective on the school subject.  I haven't really ruled anything out yet and it is very helpful to hear how other people got to where they are. 

In the end though, I firmly believe that success in this business is all about who you know and lots, and lots of HARD WORK.

20

Tools of the Trade / Re: Squeaky shoes on stage? New trick!

« on: Feb 08, 2007, 06:43 pm »

Good thinking.  Thanks for the tip! I'll have to remember that one.   

21

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Response to "calling a show by feel" from "things you would never hear..."

« on: Jan 30, 2007, 10:51 am »

After reading the other posts and thinking about it more I've decided what I already thought was correct, calling a show well just takes practice.  LOTS of practice. 

Did anyone ever find that to call a show you had to have experience, but in order to get experience you had to find a director/producer who's willing to let you do it for the first time?  It took me over 4 years to find a person who was willing to take a chance on me.  For a long time though, it really felt like a catch-22.   

22

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Response to "calling a show by feel" from "things you would never hear..."

« on: Jan 30, 2007, 10:09 am »

I must encourage everyone to keep your skills sharp in the sense of FEELING the cueing so you are confident in your abilities to call without KNOWING...

For those of us who tend to have longer breaks between shows, but never know when we might be asked to step in on a project a the last minuet, how you you recomend that we do that?  It can be hard enough to keep your skills sharp in terms of the normal SM duities when you're not working regularly.   

 

23

Employment / Re: more about resumes

« on: Jan 19, 2007, 09:39 am »

I suggest that you check out the resume browser on this site.  When I revamped my resume about a year ago I found it extremely useful.  What I ended up doing was combining ideas from different resumes that I liked.  There really is no "one way"  but generally speaking they are all variations on a theme.  Also,  the type of and amount of work you have done my limit you somewhat.  Obviously you want to present yourself in the best light.  Some layouts may lend themselves better to that than others.  Hope that helps. 

24

The Green Room / Re: Things You'll Never Hear a Stage Manager Say

« on: Dec 17, 2006, 07:38 pm »

"By all means, just give me the light cues whenever you feel like it.  I'll have plenty of time to put them in my book."

25

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Essential Theatre Books

« on: Sep 17, 2006, 05:41 pm »

Good general for all theatre types:

"Technical Theater for Nontechnical People"
By Drew Campbell

Does a good job of breaking down all the different departments.  I recommended it to a friend who was directing a high school show for the first time.  He had absolutely no tech background whatsoever and said that this book really helped him understand and put things in perspective. 

26

Tools of the Trade / Re: What is Gaffer Tape?

« on: Sep 12, 2006, 11:43 am »

Shur-tape, now that's a new one on me. By the looks of their website it's just a different brand of gaff tape?     

27

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: dramaturg

« on: Sep 09, 2006, 09:54 am »

 I may be wrong about this because I'm not currently working in opera, but I was under the impression that prompters are still used by some larger houses.  Granted, they may not be a common as they once were, but I thought they could still be found here and there.  You make it sound as if they are now obsolete.
Just a question that piqued my curiosity .   

28

The Green Room / Re: Tech dinners

« on: Aug 19, 2006, 03:09 pm »

I have learned that there is no better way to reach the heart of a crew (especially IA) than through their stomachs.  That said, I always try to bring some goodies in for the stage hands and all the ops on opening night.  I've found it is a simple way to thank them for all their hard work and they really appreciate being remembered.   I had a really funny thing happen when I brought in brownies once for a production of the Magic Flute that I was ASMing.  The sound op came up to me before the show and said, "I know I don't know you very well but..." he then proceeded to kiss my hand and say, "THANK YOU for the brownies!!!!"  It still brings a smile to my face every time I think about it. I guess I made his night.     

29

College and Graduate Studies / Re: College advice

« on: Aug 14, 2006, 10:08 am »

Like everyone else has said there is no "right way" but I'll tell you what I'm planning to do and maybe you'll be able to glean some ideas.   I am going to be a college freshman this fall majoring in arts administration with an emphasis in theater. I chose this degree because it combines a minor in business and a minor in theater into one degree.  I wanted the business component of the degree because 1) I have some interest in that side of the theater world, 2) It would make me more well rounded and (hopefully) employable in the "rest of the world" should that ever be necessary, and 3) the way I see it, the business skills I'll be learning can do nothing but help me as a stage manager.  I am also probably going to minor in Spanish and hope to study abroad for a semester.

As far as colleges go, the school I chose, Bellarmine University, is small and their theater program is tiny.  Because the theater dept. is so small though, I can pretty much do anything I want.  If I want to act, direct, or design lights they'll let me.  So I should be able dapple a little bit in everything and gain lot of experience. Also, the school is located in a city with a big theater community- Louisville, KY (Actors Theater of Louisville is located there among other things). Similar to what KC did, I'm planning on working at theaters outside of school to make sure that I stay current. 

Your idea to do a couple years a community college is not bad.  I was home schooled but took 18 hours of college classes my senior year (9 each semester) to both ease the transition from home to college and knock out some the basic gen ed requirements. If you go that rout, it would allow you to take all the general classes your first two years and then just concentrate on theater classes when you got to university. Thus you'd not be stuck taking a chemistry class at the same time as a stage managing one.  Make sure however, that all your credits will transfer!!!   

I don't know what kind of theaters there are in your area or what kind of program your high school  has but I'd definitely encourage you to get as much experience as possible without over booking yourself.  Like I said, I was home schooled so I didn't have any high school shows to work on.  But, I've spent the last five years going community and university work which has allowed me to build up a decent resume for someone of my age.  If you do go to a community college for a while chances are they won't have any kind of theater program.  If that is the case, see if you can get plugged into a theater somewhere in your community so that you can keep gaining experience.  Good luck in your search!   

30

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: prompt books

« on: Aug 11, 2006, 12:58 pm »

Mac, what's that legal ribbon or whatever you called it? How's it work?

Legal ribbon is a ribbon which is 9mm wide (also available in 6mm, but I prefer 9) - it does not stretch at all, and is extreamly strong. Basically, using a "bodkin" (see image below) poked through punched holes, the ribbon can be woven through the binder holes and tied to create a 'book'. It is just a cheap, neat way of storing a large number of pages.

OK, so my guess about what legal ribbon is was wrong. I'd never heard of it before.  I've used regular craft yearn for a similar purpose, but this stuff looks so much better.  Does anyone know if can be had in the US?