Messages

166

The Green Room / Re: Did he REALLY ask me that?

« on: Nov 11, 2010, 12:49 pm »

I have a couple of stories. The first one I'll file under: Did he really SAY  that?

I was working at a LORT theatre in the Northwest and the TD was giving a tour of the space to donors. He led the donors into the SM booth where I just finished giving the 15 call.

He introduced me to the donors and said "She's the stage manager, who for the most part babysits the actors".
Really? He couldn't even say that I make sure the lights are on when the actors take the stage?


My second story is when I was working at a semi-professional theatre in Nashville. We were about to go into previews when I told the cast "7:30 is half hour".

One cast member asked me what that meant. I explained that that was his call time. A half-hour before the show begins. He just could not understand the concept that he had to be there a half hour before the show begins. I tried to explain again and he didn't get it.
Each evening when I would give the cast the call for the next day I would have to explain again what that meant.

167

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How to ask for information

« on: Nov 10, 2010, 12:46 pm »

Thanks for the advice! Not to get too personal or psychoanalyze myself, I need to get over the "fear of success/fear of failure" that I'm dealing with. The only way to do it is to....do it.

 

168

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How to ask for information

« on: Nov 09, 2010, 03:46 pm »

I figured it was a ridiculous question, and that I have to get over myself and just flippin do it.

Thanks!

169

Students and Novice Stage Managers / How to ask for information

« on: Nov 09, 2010, 02:05 pm »

I am in the very early planning stages for my masters' thesis.

My research requires me to ask questions from various theatres and local unions all over the US. In a way I have to "cold call" them.

I feel a bit ridiculous asking this, but how do I do it without sounding like I want a job from them?

(I feel ridiculous even asking about it here)

Thanks for your help!

170

The Green Room / Re: 10 things actors can do to get off to a good start with a stage manager

« on: Nov 09, 2010, 10:21 am »

10. Don't shoot the messenger.

171

Employment / Re: temporary jobs between gigs

« on: Oct 20, 2010, 01:16 pm »

I agree with Missliz. Now is the perfect time when retail is looking for folks to work Thanksgiving/Christmas season.

172

The Green Room / Re: Why is it that...

« on: Aug 17, 2010, 02:20 pm »

my official title is stage manager but I haven't actually managed a stage in six months?

173

The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork's Resident expert in...

« on: Aug 17, 2010, 02:17 pm »

My master electrician and I spent one day talking to each other only using Simpsons quotes. So I can be your backup expert.

I'm more than willing to be a co-expert, no need for backups that way 

Thanks!

The master electrician recently bought a house and was very proud to say that he has to pay "The Homer Tax" 

174

The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork's Resident expert in...

« on: Aug 13, 2010, 11:40 am »

My master electrician and I spent one day talking to each other only using Simpsons quotes. So I can be your backup expert.

175

The Green Room / Re: What did you learn today?

« on: Jul 16, 2010, 01:40 pm »

That I can't do a thing to my hair when it's very humid out.

176

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Racism in the Rehearsal Room

« on: Jul 13, 2010, 02:20 pm »

I had a similar problem years ago when I had a stage management intern.

She was constantly late, and didn't understand why she had to be in rehearsal "when all she does is sit around". I tried talking to her, I tried to give her more projects. Nothing worked. I talked to my production manager, and he didn't do anything.
She was then assigned to be a spot op. She showed up late for tech, and then she quit the show.
When I spoke about this to my Artistic Director, he said "Well, black people are always late".

I. Was. Floored.

I let it go.  The AD and I didn't get along, and I was trying to hold down my job. I thought it was best to not say anything and pretend that it went over my head (I'm sure my face told a different story)
I would like to say that if that happened again, I would have said that it was the fact she didn't like the job, and nothing to do with her skin color, but who knows? I might be struck dumb again.

177

The Green Room / Re: Finish this sentence: "If all the world's a stage..."

« on: Jul 13, 2010, 01:41 pm »

...then I would like a raise...

178

Employment / Re: CAREER GROWTH: Taking control of your career

« on: Jul 07, 2010, 11:28 am »

I also think it feels like one can focus only on the tree (job) and forget the whole forest (life).

Yes, it does feel like that at times . . . the problem is does the forest suffer for a single tree? 

And regarding those steps . . . we shall see what the forest has waiting for me.

It did for me.
I was too focused at my dream job that I forgot everything else. It took one horrible show to realize that the job won't be as loyal to me as I was to it.

Then it goes back to the ongoing struggle in this field which is work/life balance.....

179

Employment / Re: CAREER GROWTH: Taking control of your career

« on: Jul 06, 2010, 01:33 pm »

Well, they seem like short steps from this angle...

I also think it feels like one can focus only on the tree (job) and forget the whole forest (life).

180

Employment / Re: CAREER GROWTH: Taking control of your career

« on: Jul 06, 2010, 11:16 am »

A few years ago I landed the "job of my dreams": a resident stage manager at a LORT theatre.

A few months after I was settled and began to think: "Is this it? What's next?".  I could have easily stayed there for years and years. Since my job was secure, I took the time to figure out if I did have a next step. More specifically, I took piano lessons to learn how to read music, researched going back to school, researched getting into film. I dabbled in all of these things to see what was right.

Two years later I decided that  it was going back to school and I left my "dream job". What helped me was that I took the time. There was no rush for me. I was lucky.

Not to get too personal, but based from what I read on this site you are just a few short steps from landing a Broadway gig. And you don't have to answer this, but when you do get it, will you be satisfied? Will there be no more steps? If so, how will you handle that?
(and again I apologize if I'm getting too personal)