Messages

16

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: Pre-show drink

« on: Mar 08, 2010, 08:01 pm »

I would definitely say no, but take a rain check for after the show, if for no other reason than I have to be a role model.  I expect my cast and crew to arrive to their call focused and sober and, regardless of quantity, I could not, in good conscience, drink before the show.

17

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PREP: Taping multiple floor plans?

« on: Mar 08, 2010, 07:57 pm »

I agree with the corners only idea.  Colors can work, too, but if you have more that a few different colors, it can get confusing as well as look messy.  If individual truck/furniture location is creating the problem, it is also possible to track everything using wing entrances (1, 2, 3, 4) and number line locations (C, SR 2, SR 4, SL 6, etc.).  This is a good tactic if actors are moving things or if the piece has an irregular shape (and can allow for director/designer adjustment without too much tape moving).  That's what I did for a show I just closed because it's design was minimalistic and fragmented, so there was a lot of individual furniture pieces and pallets.

Any combination of these or other possibilities could work. You will likely have to make a decision based on what is best for you, the show, and the company.

18

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stage Manager as Disciplinarian

« on: Jan 02, 2010, 05:21 pm »

I think of myself as a problem solver rather than a disciplinarian. 

Exactly.  I always try to approach as a discussion rather than an attack or accusation.  This helps you understand the background and all sides of the situation before handling it.  This helps to avoid things getting heated which you definitely don't want, especially if it's a group of people.

I had a fairly large problem at the theater at which I worked this past summer.  There was a lot of conflict among the female members of the company and they weren't getting along at all, scapegoating one actress in particular.  Although the situation involved all of them, I spoke with each girl individually (there were about 7 of them) so that they could let the emotions flow on me before they confronted each other.  In the end I ended up sitting with them in the dressing room for an hour after the show one night.  Each girl was allowed to speak on each "sub-problem" that made up the situation, while I served as moderator.
This worked to great success, and I believe they went home and baked cookies together afterward.  I never had another problem for the rest of the season.

You just have to get a feel for your company.

19

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: How do you do your reports?

« on: Dec 20, 2009, 04:58 pm »

I typically call a show with my trusty yellow legal pad on hand to scribble down notes that will later be typed into my report.  I definitely agree with the notion that even abbreviated chicken scratch can be a memory-jogger for interpreting notes later.

When sending reports out, I also include: Show Name: mm/dd/yy Performance Report
I also make a point to save the file as: showname Perf Rep (mm.dd.yy)  -so that recipients who save the reports have an easier time with file management.

20

The Green Room / Re: Best one-liner from a performance report

« on: Nov 18, 2009, 10:49 pm »

"The weenies need to be warmed preshow.  The actors cannot stomach them cold."

A little off topic, but one time I found a post-it to myself that said "this is a problem."  ...trouble is, I still don't know what it was stuck to, so I don't know what the problem was.  It was 2 shows ago, though, so I think I'm safe.

21

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Plan B for everything?

« on: Jul 24, 2009, 12:17 pm »

Obviously, it is a bit rediculous to have a back up plan for each and every possible situation that might happen (there are millions of them, each one unique), but as we are coming up to tech week I always read through the show and look at all the spots where things might go wrong, then plan for those things. For the rest, I keep basics on hand but, as others have said, they are not top priority.

Absolutely.  The elements that are the most crucial to the show always seems to be the first to break or disappear, so they should be your priority.
I find that as I grow as a Stage Manager and get more experience under my belt that I can fairly easily determine the problems spots in a show.
The best case scenario is that you have experience with a situation similar and can plan based on a previous show.  But in the end nothing can beat preparation and quick thinking.

22

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Good digital Sheet music sites/help finding music

« on: Jul 10, 2009, 08:44 pm »

Well, it looks like we've cut that number anyway.  Thanks for your help anyway, I'm sure the suggestions can be of use to someone else.

23

SMNetwork Archives / Good digital Sheet music sites/help finding music

« on: Jul 09, 2009, 02:43 pm »

I've been given the task of helping to find sheet music for an upcoming Cabaret that I'm SMing.  Does anybody have any idea where I might find sheet music for the Judy Garland Barbara Streisand Duet 'Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again'?
We don't mind paying for it, but we can't even seem to find the darn thing.
I believe I've liquidated all of the digital sheet music sites I and my directors know, does anybody know of some good sites?

Thanks!

24

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: How to make someone's pants fall down on cue?

« on: May 28, 2009, 03:34 pm »

I start rehearsal for Annie Get Your Gun on Saturday.  I'm not sure what our plan is yet, but I'd be interested in hearing some ideas, too-just as a back up in case we get stuck.

25

Tools of the Trade / Re: drug use onstage

« on: Apr 21, 2009, 02:13 am »

Geez, I really find it hard to believe that actors need to be actually snorting any substance onstage -- seems terribly ill-advised to me.  Can't this be solved with judicious staging? 

I would agree.  I mean, if it is absolutely necessary, I would go with the Equity approved stuff.  But, in my humble opinion (and feel free to completely ignore me), I would have a fit if this were my actors.  Have you spoken with the director?  I would really push for having the drug use staged in such a way that wouldn't require actual snorting.

26

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Lobby Signage

« on: Apr 02, 2009, 11:18 pm »

People don't really read signs, so I think anything beyond the standard small sign about cell phones and food/drinks in the theatre beside the house doors would probably be wasted.  It is fairly common to see a blurb on theatre/concert etiquette in the program. 

Agreed.  I worked as an amusement park ride operator for 3 years, trust me...people don't read signs.  Even when their safety is a stake.  Although it doesn't hurt to have a sign to point to when a cranky patron is in your face.  A small but fun sign couldn't hurt if you feel it is necessary.

27

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Reading a play for the first time

« on: Jan 18, 2009, 02:52 pm »

I do this, even with shows I have no intention to work on-just something I picked up to read in my spare (haha!) time. 

I do this all the time, lol.  I'll be sitting there thinking about the large number of props or how a potential cue sequence might be difficult.

But, in general, I read a play that I will be working on for pleasure first.  Generally, I'm really pressed for time to do this, but I try my best to get it done.  It is really hard not to dive right in with breakdowns and lists, but I'm usually able to repress the urge to skip to the next step in my process.  For example, I'm SMing 3 shows this summer for the Post Playhouse.  Since I already have the scripts and scores, I'm beginning to read through and begin pre-production.  I'm at least vaguely familiar with all three shows, but I'm still making it a point to read through each one before working on production breakdowns, etc.  BUT, like I said the luxury of time is not one that I always have.  It seems to be harder for me to suppress the urge to begin thinking like an SM on the first read through when I KNOW that I don't have much time.

28

The Green Room / Re: I can't believe I just had to do that...

« on: Dec 06, 2008, 01:24 am »

Although this isn't my experience...I ASMed a show in which a cue sequence included "Standby offstage sex noises....Sex noises GO"

I once had to institute a "No costume jewelry at rehearsal" rule after an actress' ring flew of while she was in the middle on scene flailing her arms.  It flew across the room and almost took my eye out.

I do recall one specific time working on a show (the same one with the sex noises)...I was reading off a props checklist to my fellow ASM and I was yelling across the room: "Cellphone...joint...french toast stick...condoms...AK-47...skittles." I just kind of stopped and thought...gee, I wonder what people would think if they didn't know what I was doing. 

29

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Daily rehearsal report notes

« on: Dec 06, 2008, 12:32 am »

In my experience, I have always sent Rehearsal Reports to all major production staff including Director, AD, TD, ASMs, Props master, all designers, master elec, lead carp, etc. It may vary from production to production, but that's generally how I do it.

I don't think you were at all out of line to make the costume and props folks aware of the issue.  It is much better for all parties to be aware of an issue before people waste valuable time and energy on props or costumes that will have to be altered once the problem is seen during a rehearsal.
If this had been me, I would have put the note in the report under the costumes AND props section, and it would be sent out the night of rehearsal.  If I had a few minutes the next day, I would go to the costume designer and props master in person to double check that they understood what I meant and taking note of any problems that they might have fulfilling those requirements.  I would then reconnect with the director at rehearsal or before to inform them that I have addressed the concern and where the other departments stand on a solution.

30

Employment / Re: Choosing a Show to SM

« on: Dec 04, 2008, 08:28 pm »

More often than not...it comes right down to what I am able to get.  If it's a job, then I can't get too choosy at this point.  When I'm SMing at school, I consider a lot of things. How easy the director is, how close to a professional situation will working with the director be, etc.  I just try to get what is going to give me the most valuable experience.