Messages

1681

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Child Labor Laws

« on: Nov 07, 2008, 07:35 am »

i am sure the producers know what they are doing, but you should double check that the laws they are referencing are for entertainment - there is often a separate set of rules.

Otherwise, I agree - the kids should be double cast - all kids in all shows should be double cast imho.

1682

The Hardline / Opera Pacific

« on: Nov 04, 2008, 11:57 pm »

Opera Pacific cancels rest of season amid money woes
4:42 PM, November 4, 2008
The economic crunch has swallowed Opera Pacific's 2008-2009 season after a single production, "The Barber of Seville." The two remaining operas, "The Grapes of Wrath," a new work by Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie, and Richard Strauss' "Salome," with Deborah Voigt (left) in the title role, will not be staged, the company announced Tuesday. The reason: a drop in donations -- on which it relies for 60% of its revenue.

"Many of our large donors were less able to support us at the levels they have over the past few years," president Robert C. Jones said in a statement. That made it impossible for the company to raise enough to keep the season going at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Jones said the financial crisis also has led to a "substantial" reduction in staff, and that the company put its 20,000 square-foot office, rehearsal and workshop space in Santa Ana up for sale in hopes of raising enough cash to continue the season. "The building has not yet sold, and therefore we have lost the race with time," Jones said.

The company, plagued with deficits during most of this decade, tried to reduce expenses in recent years, spending $7 million in 2006-07, compared with more than $8 million in some earlier seasons, according to its most recent available tax return on GuideStar.org. The result in 2006-07 was a $1.3 million surplus, which Opera Pacific used to help pay down debts. Still, the company was carrying $2 million in loans from its officers and board members on its books.

1683

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: I am out of solutions

« on: Nov 03, 2008, 03:48 pm »

Anxiety disorders are major medical conditions - and there are specific medications that can help his situation.  He either needs to seek medical/psychological help, or perhaps bow out of situations that exasperate his condition, which may include performing.

1684

The Hardline / MILWAUKEE SHAKESPEARE CLOSING ITS DOORS

« on: Oct 28, 2008, 08:14 pm »

MILWAUKEE SHAKESPEARE CLOSING ITS DOORS

October 28, 2008 - Milwaukee Shakespeare is closing its doors due to lack of available funding.

Despite generous support from private and public local, state and national foundations and granting organizations such as UPAF and the NEA, the company’s primary source of operating funds is the Argosy Foundation. Due to the current financial climate, the Argosy Foundation has eliminated support from Milwaukee Shakespeare in order to put itself in the best position to continue to grow and support the community in the future.  For this reason, Milwaukee Shakespeare cannot continue its season as planned.  While ticket sales have been at a record level so far this season, ticket income only provides a fraction of what it costs to keep a non-profit theatre company running. Milwaukee Shakespeare has been actively seeking and achieving outside support, but the growth has not been sufficient to withstand this loss in its primary source of funding.

Milwaukee Shakespeare has been honored to produce in such a theatrically rich city and proud of the productions they’ve done over the past nine seasons.  The Milwaukee Shakespeare board and staff will begin working this week to determine the best way to close down the company’s operations. 

1685

The Hardline / Re: Another 99-seat plan question (Breaks or lack thereof)

« on: Oct 24, 2008, 04:49 pm »

During runs, you can wait for the break until intermission . . . that is pretty standard on most contracts.

1686

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Hell Week...?

« on: Oct 21, 2008, 08:23 am »

Come on, the week is hell.  Tech week is hard.  Call a spade a spade.  (It's more Hell for actors then for me . . . I recently spent a tech week sitting around ala an actor, an to be honest, being called for 10 hours and working 30 minutes of was a bit of my version of hell.)

Now, that having been said, I would never call tech week hell week.

1687

The Hardline / Re: The Ever Scrutinized Straight Six

« on: Oct 20, 2008, 11:57 am »

I too am against the straight six in theory - because it really means a straight 8 for me . . . but, I do like compacting my day - especially when I am either in rehearsal or performance 52 weeks a year - when else do I get to the gym?  get groceries?  live life?

The straight six works best in regional theatre where a lot of local actors may be holding on to day jobs, or actors are in other shows, or, on Sunday, to allow people to travel home after a rehearsal week.  (We are using them due to our actors rolling over). 

1688

The Hardline / Re: The Ever Scrutinized Straight Six

« on: Oct 19, 2008, 08:42 am »

No, you can't - or well you shouldn't.

You could schedule a straight six, have the vote be first think, hope they vote for it, and if not pay the over time or end early.

1689

Employment / Re: When is enough enough

« on: Oct 12, 2008, 12:32 am »

That's an interesting point.

Should a "job" be fun?  (Again, this is not about me personally, but I don't think it is particularly "fun" anymore - there are times I have a good time at work.)

I think in general, my answer is when you stop getting the same buzz out the job as what brought you in - it seems you will never be paid enough in this job, you will never get the amount of respect you deserve, you will never not be working more hours then you should.  But you should get some sort on intangible return - like I have always said, theatre is a drug - and thick we become addicts - some people can manage the addiction, some people can't.  I still get a great buzz from my job.

1690

Employment / When is enough enough

« on: Oct 11, 2008, 10:15 pm »

How do you know when to call it quits?  I mean, as far as this as a career?  When does the long hours, little respect, not enough pay for the hours and commitment just final become enough and you think it's time to leave.

Thoughts, comments, concerns?  (Not a personal crisis, but have been giving it a thought a lot recently).

1691

Employment / Re: Taking Time Off

« on: Oct 11, 2008, 08:45 pm »

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
St. Augustine

1692

Stage Management: Other / Re: Your most interesting "Other" Project

« on: Oct 11, 2008, 07:57 pm »

Was that one show or three?

Lol, three very separate shows.

1693

Stage Management: Other / Re: Your most interesting "Other" Project

« on: Oct 11, 2008, 08:55 am »

Drag shows.
A big splash event for heart medication.
A memorial for a very special nun.

1694

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Compilation of grad schools

« on: Oct 10, 2008, 07:15 pm »

University of Alabama's program may be hold for awhile . . . anyone interesting should check on the details.

1695

The Hardline / Re: Agreements!

« on: Oct 09, 2008, 03:47 pm »

If it's Broadway proper, it's the Production Contract.

If it is Roundabout or MTC, it should be LORT contract.