Messages

16

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Report/Notes Language

« on: Jan 16, 2016, 06:39 pm »

Interesting conversation, thank you for helping me be better!   

I am a volunteer SM at a community theatre where everyone except the Executive Dir and box office staff are volunteer.  I am the first sm (in 34 years) that does rehearsal reports and emails them to all the designers/directors/etc.  I use a form I got off of here (THANKS!) and it has boxes for each area.  If there's nothing new for the night for that area it is just blank, no thank you. 

I think since I'm the first SM to ever communicate at this theatre they are just happy to know what's going on.  The executive director has thanked me multiple times and asked for a template so she can put it in the SM Handbook for others to do.  My belief is that if we want this to be a top notch theatre, we have to be like the top notch theaters even if we are volunteer. 

Bil

17

Self-Promotion / Re: Carousel

« on: Jan 10, 2016, 10:21 pm »

Can you share some pictures of the set?  Would love to see it!

18

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Motivation & Energy - Need Help & Ideas

« on: Nov 23, 2015, 12:15 pm »

A little background. 

I am the SM at a community theatre that has been around for many years (I think 1982 was our first production).  I got interested in acting and finally SM while seeing shows here.  They are just amazing in my own opinion.  Everyone at the theatre is volunteer (except for Exec Dir and about 4 part-time box office staff). 

This is my first show as SM and I am truly loving the experience.  I feel much better suited for SM than actor!

This is my issue, we have a large number of teenagers as actors on this show (Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe).  We have been blocked for a few weeks, and we've been running the show in rehearsals.  Blocking is great, the fight scenes are amazing (as the SM in charge of making sure the actors are safe, they scare me, so I guess that is good), the set is amazing.  The PROBLEM, energy and motivation at this point.  I am getting too many people texting me the day of saying they can't make rehearsal for some silly reason.  I am having a hard time getting their energy up when they do come to rehearsal.  We open on December 4th, and I'm worried that we won't give our already 100% sold out run a GREAT show. 

How do you help actors keep their energy and excitement up for a show?  Are their any activities or fun things any of you have done in the past that has helped.  How do you keep a volunteer group motivated and keep them wanting to show up every night?

I don't expect a lot, I just want them there at rehearsals.  I spend 4 hours a night M-F and about 8 hours on Saturday and at least an hour or two on Sunday (props, prep for the week, etc) getting the show ready.  Why can't they do 3 hours a night only?   

Thanks for any suggestions!
Bil

Edited to add that most of the actors are amazing!  They are there early and ready to go on time and never miss a rehearsal!  It's just a number of them that are giving me minor twitches behind my eye.   

19

Introductions / Re: New to the board and Stage Managing

« on: Oct 29, 2015, 07:46 pm »

Thanks!  Headed over know!

Bil

20

Introductions / Re: New to the board and Stage Managing

« on: Oct 29, 2015, 06:12 pm »

Thanks for the welcome!  Spelling Bee will be my first musical as a SM.  I'm grateful the director has done many musicals, and I've worked with him on stage in a musical so I know his style so I think that will help.  I don't know if it will help at all but I'm a wannabe musician as well so I know how to read music so I'll be able to follow along better in the libretto and kind of keep up.   

Bil

21

Introductions / New to the board and Stage Managing

« on: Oct 28, 2015, 03:04 pm »

Hello, my name is Bil and I am a new SM.  I caught the theatre bug later than most.  I never did any theatre or acting until just about 3 years ago (in my mid-40s).  My daughters were loving the theatre and I was hanging around and decided to audition for my first play (I got Friar Frances in Much Ado About Nothing).  I was hooked.  I've been in 3 or so plays every year for the last 3 years.  I started helping with set building and back stage (while still acting) and really enjoyed it.  I let the theatre know that I would like to do more than just acting, and I would like to stage manage.  They said great, how about next December's show, The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe?  I said, "YES!"  I'm working with a first time director (20+ years acting and asst. directing) and he's working with a first time Stage Manager and I think we're doing pretty good.  At this point I like the SM seat better than the actors seat!  Finally all my lists can be used!

I have been asked to SM three of the shows next year at Cottage Theatre in Oregon (that's 1/2 of the shows).  I've said yes, but now I need better skills and ideas.  That's why I'm here to learn from all of you.  The three shows I'm doing next year are:

• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opens in February
• Scapino! opens in June
• A Christmas Story opens in December

The guide said I need to offer a Tip, a Tale or Trivia.  So here's my tip:  Don't offer to SM two shows back to back when you work a full-time job as well.  We're in the middle of rehearsals for Wardrobe and auditions are in about 10 days for Spelling Bee.  I'm pretty sure Aslan is going to win the Spelling Bee!

Looking forward to interacting!

Bil