Messages

16

The Green Room / Re: The Stage Manager's Nightmare

« on: Jul 07, 2015, 07:30 pm »

I always have a dream/nightmare (depending on the show) that the director has decided that I should not only stage manage, but also act in the show.

For example, we just had the first rehearsal for Hairspray, and I had a dream last night that the director decided I needed to dance in "Nicest Kids in Town", only during the performance he came on stage and told me I could only do one job and that I should probably stick to calling the cues.

I also usually have the pre-opening night nightmare that no one knows what's going on.  At all. 

17

The Green Room / Re: Milestone - 40 years of Stern's "Stage Management"

« on: Jul 07, 2015, 07:10 pm »

It was a required text in my Theatre and Arts Management class in college - I got the book in the mail and read it cover to cover in an hour.  I keep it in my SM bag. 

I believe my edition is either 8 or 9 - this was only two years ago. 

I share it with all my newbie ASM's that I have.

18

Tools of the Trade / Google Docs.

« on: Mar 24, 2015, 04:05 pm »

So I'm currently ASM-ing How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, along with one other ASM and my awesome SM, whom I've worked as SM with him as the director.  And since there are three of us while working a with a 30 person cast, there's always a note to take.  My SM was all excited about using google docs, and as someone who's used Dropbox almost exclusively, I was really nervous about using a different program for note-taking.

HOWEVER, GOOGLE DOCS IS MAGIC.  We can, all three of us, be working on line notes or rehearsal reports or blocking or scene shift...  At the same time.  Jess, the other ASM and I usually work on the line notes while our SM, Tommy, can update the report or blocking notes or the scene shift plot.  I think Google Docs is a godsend, and I absolutely love using it.

Just wondering if anyone else out there found any other uses for Google Docs.  Or didn't know about the magic that was and tried it, I want to hear your impressions of it.

19

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Rehearsal Report Question

« on: Mar 24, 2015, 03:35 pm »

If I'm ever unsure, I always ask.  I'd rather ask a few simple questions at the end of a rehearsal than forget something important or have an angry director.

20

Introductions / Re: Who Runs the World? Us !

« on: Mar 24, 2015, 03:30 pm »

Welcome!  One of my hopeful summer intensives is up in New Jersey, maybe we'll run into each other!

21

Self-Promotion / Re: My first "real" gig!

« on: Mar 24, 2015, 03:28 pm »

Thank you so much!  It was such an incredible experience, and I've already been asked back to that theatre for four upcoming shows, so I'm really glad I did it.  Plus the cast was absolutely hilarious, and the show itself is amazing...  Such a fantastic script.  Bruce Norris is one smart cookie.

I've since completed all of my busy tasks, except graduating.  Next up: Finding a job.  USITT gave me some fantastic insight, so I'm going to follow some leads I found there, but it's still super scary. 

22

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: USITT in Cincinnati 2015 - March 18-21

« on: Mar 08, 2015, 08:19 pm »

I was hoping/thinking I couldn't be the only one going. See you there!

23

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: JOB DESCRIPTION: not needed until tech week?

« on: Mar 04, 2015, 11:55 pm »

This is all confirming what I thought, so thanks for that.

Apparently this particular theatre works this way often, with an SM coming in during tech only.  I'd be peeing my pants.

How can you learn the rhythm of the show, how can you practice your art when you aren't given any time?

Also, who's taking notes and making schedules and communicating with everyone? (I guess the director in this case).

Thanks for all your feedback!

24

Employment / Re: Why didn't I get the job?

« on: Feb 23, 2015, 12:34 am »

This is such an important post for me, as I am less than three months away from graduating. 
I've always understood why an actor or actress might not get the part, but have had a more difficult time grasping why a stage manager might not be right for the job.  This list is gold.

Thanks for sharing.

25

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: JOB DESCRIPTION: not needed until tech week?

« on: Feb 20, 2015, 01:46 pm »

I don't think there was an asm at all, I declined before I knew the specifics due  to another project I have at the same time.

26

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: not needed until tech week?

« on: Feb 16, 2015, 10:49 pm »

Good to know. I do think it would be interesting, since I've been told tech week is where I shine as an SM.  I just couldn't imagine not knowing the rhythm of the show at all.

27

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / JOB DESCRIPTION: not needed until tech week?

« on: Feb 15, 2015, 11:55 pm »

So I was asked to stage manage a show in which the director had asked that the SM not be present until tech week.

Is this common?  Does this scare the crap out of you like it does me?

I had to turn down the offer due to another project, but it just seems strange to me.

Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth

28

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: How to politely tell people things.

« on: Feb 15, 2015, 11:37 pm »

Update -
He did give me notes last night and after 'fixing' them, he told me that I was right and that he wasn't really paying attention to what was happening during the scene (!).

And I mean, to add another general question, have any of you experienced difficulty with people jumping or delaying your calls?  This is something that always sort of boggles my mind, in a "What am I even here for?" sort of way.

29

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / CALLING: How to politely tell people things.

« on: Feb 14, 2015, 03:15 am »

I'm currently four shows in to a six show run of Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris.  Favorite script ever, great cast, absolutely fantastic director.

I'm having trouble with a couple of people on my crew, however. 
My sound designer is also my sound board operator.  And he has the tendency to tell me that I'm calling cues wrong (too early/late, mostly).  He's been doing this for most of the run, despite me telling him politely multiple times that as the SM it is my job to call the show. (I know this probably sounds like "it's not my fault," but I've called them in the same spot every time and some nights I'm wrong and some nights I'm not...)  I understand it must be difficult to be a designer and have control literally at your fingertips but not be able to do anything about it, but it makes me feel so angry when he tells me I'm wrong, or when he delays or jumps a cue regardless of my call.  How do I politely tell him to stop?  Have any of you had difficult operators before?

Also, I've got a running crew member who is slightly ageist and sexist.  Yay.

And, the president of the board is frequently meddling in various aspects of the show. 


Any advice on dealing with some of these issues?  This is my first show at this theatre and I've already been asked back for a second show (unfortunately had to decline), but I do want to hear what some of your experiences have been like with difficult crew members.

Thanks

Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth

30

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Invaluable Advice

« on: Dec 21, 2014, 09:04 pm »

I have a recipe for THE EASIEST and MOST DELICIOUS food ever:

I give you, "The Crockpot Nachos"

1 brick velveeta cheese, cubed in 1" chunks.
2 jars of salsa.
1 & 1/2 pounds ground beef, browned.
Toritlla chips (those Tostidos scoops are a favorite for my crew)

Put it in a crockpot.  Let it melt.  Stir.  Eat. 

What I love about this is that it's so easy.  It's the best tech week food because you just put it in the crockpot on high for 2 hours and then, you'll be eating delicious cheesy dip.  Plus, it's easy to make your own.  Like it spicy?  Use spicy salsa.  Vegetarian? Skip the beef.  You can throw peppers in it, or beans, or whatever you want. 

It's also one of those things that you might have to feel out.  Depending on the consistency of the salsa, it might turn out a little runnier or maybe a little thicker.  You literally can't mess this recipe up though.  Just make sure you soak the crockpot as soon as it's all gone (it won't take long). 

Feel free to share this recipe!


And my advice to new stage managers:  Go to the bathroom before you call places.