Messages

181

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Calling Mics

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 09:33 am »

The real answer to if you need to call the mic cues is if you need to call them, you call them.

exactly... I once worked a show where I had to cue the music director tht the song should be starting now!

182

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dealing with stress

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 09:31 am »

Ack!  You sound like you're in a bad, bad way! You are doing too much. The End.

I can only recommend that you try to find a replacement on some of your projects. If you find a capable replacement sooner rather than later everyone will be better off. I don't see how in your current situation you'll be able maintain high quality work. This is the advice I would give any of my own students.

Your university should have a release to work program in place? Where they have to approve any outside work you do. This program is designed so that the faculty can make sure you do not find yourself in this situation of complete over-extended-ness.

That said- I have funny pens & pencils- they light up or have feather's or are shaped like Dracula or the Nutcracker or Barbie... I don't use them all the time- but they sure do come out whenever I need a quick pick up.

Stress can also be relieved by communicating your frustrations & anger with your peers. For example- on this forum! I also love to call my out-of-town non-theater friends who don't know any of the people I work with & vent, vent, vent! it's completely reciprocal, and as they don't know anyone in the theater biz I feel totally safe. Probably this is why Analysts are so popular in our culture! 

And Finally a nice long walk, cleaning house w/ long music or spending some time at the local batting cages have always been fixes for me! 

183

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Noises Off

« on: Sep 26, 2006, 11:28 am »

I've SMed this twice, which you'd think would have made it easier the 2nd time. not so.

Props are a true nightmare, begin the props tracking as soon as possible, and make sure you have LOTS of space for blocking notes, and an extra large eraser!

It's a big show & SOOOOOOOOOOOO very much fun- enjoy the ride! 

184

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Equity Courses

« on: Sep 19, 2006, 05:47 pm »

When I taught Stage Management we had I believe 1 1/2 hours devoted to Equity issues. Just one class meeting. The entire class (usually MW 1.5 hour classes a week fo 10 weeks) is designed to be for students facing a professional career; so the idea is that you're learning the AEA standard. 

I hope this helps 

185

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: director's power

« on: Sep 19, 2006, 05:37 pm »

I always prefer to not have things change after the final dress.

That said- I tend to live in a dream world!

Whenever a director wishes to make adjustments after the final dress (and sometimes after opening) I always inform the designer of the changes the director wants to make. Being in residency the designers job hangs on the directors opinion. Therefore we have never had a designer say no to changing a cue during tech, after tech or into the run of the show.

There have been cues that I have refused to change; for example- a cue that is set 5 years ago; and has been run the same way every performance-- I feel should not/ cannot be changed.

I hope your faculty and staff are enough supportive of one another and enough understanding of your position as student stage manager to make these sorts of normal adjustments as easy and comfortable as possible! 

186

The Hardline / Re: AGMA?

« on: Sep 18, 2006, 09:49 am »

AGMA is for musical artists- dance, opera, symphony.

187

The Green Room / Re: Snacks

« on: Sep 18, 2006, 09:47 am »

I suggest a no food policy. Trying to participate in conversation while taking notes for yourself, writing minutes for the production and eating could probably get very messy very soon. Also- it brings up the terror of talking with food in your mouth- eeewww!

Obviously we've all had no choice but to eat during meetings, but it's not the best option. If you have no choice -something not loud, not messy, not spillable. 

188

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: ASM choice conflict

« on: Sep 18, 2006, 09:43 am »

On the no choice issue- I know I never got to choose asst's in college, nor did any other SM major. The Universities I've worked for have held a similar position.

I suggest giving it a shot- after discussing your apprehension with your TD. If it ends up going badly you can only be in the right having voiced your concerns, but still being open to the assignments made by your Faculty.

(In my opinion) College students should have the support of the Faculty & Staff and should not be ultimately responsible for the assignments of their fellow students.

189

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Essential Theatre Books

« on: Sep 18, 2006, 09:34 am »

I think I remember the forms and formats book- but it is out of date- I don't know many SM's using the versions of paperwork discussed in that book... if it's the same book? 

190

The Hardline / Re: Copyright laws

« on: Sep 16, 2006, 08:03 pm »

In the ballet these days all of our archival photos are taken outside of a rehearsal or performance- on the stage w/ full set & costumes, but not in rehearsal- the symphony has a fit!

Actually, our symphony freaked when our photographer took digital photos! I guess there's some way to record digitally? - I'm not tech-minded enough.

Most of our choreographers are cool w/ archival recordings- they usually want a copy, but they never flatly object.

Also, w/ my smooth talking ways I've managed to get the Balanchine Trust to waive fees and make allowances for archival recordings and tv spots etc...

191

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Grad School vs Experience

« on: Sep 16, 2006, 07:34 pm »

There is a thread here re; good theater books- check it out!

192

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SMing the Musical Rehearsals

« on: Sep 15, 2006, 12:28 pm »

yeah- in music rehearsals I send my ASM's home for the night- or to pick up props or to do one of the million things that have to USUALLY happen outside the rehearsal day.

(Think of how many things need thousands of copies- copy them now!)

193

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SMing the Musical Rehearsals

« on: Sep 15, 2006, 08:59 am »

This is also a great time for you to learn the score- if you're not a great sight reader, or if you have problems reading music in general this is an oppurtunity to follow the score while the singers are moving slowly through it & the Music Director is in the room.

And yes, this is only exciting for an hour or so... But if you bring your lap top, you'll be able to work out props lists, scene shifts... etc... once you're bored of the music.

Enjoy!

194

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Who's Job???

« on: Sep 14, 2006, 09:00 am »

I think your actor was crazy out of line. It is not his job to evaluate your performance, or anyone else's. I hope you have made that clear to him.

And I always have my ASM's do shifts in rehearsal- they are going to be the ones ultimately responsible! Jeepers.

Even if in some unforseen universe where I have NOTHING to do in the change-over, I still wouldn't help the ASM change over! 1st they would be offended that I didn't trust them enough to take care of it, and 2nd- well, there is no second! Dude, change-over is like, their job? hhhmmmm?

195

Stage Management: Other / Re: Sming for Dance

« on: Sep 14, 2006, 08:53 am »

Thank you! I was just glad that no one feel asleep!

Are you one of the girls from Montgomery?

How'd the weekend go?

I was thinking of you-all (ya'll)  in performances!