Messages

181

The Green Room / Re: Trivia Tournament II: Electric Boogaloo

« on: Feb 15, 2010, 10:54 pm »

All in favor of banning the theatre category??!!

On a separate note, the plan is to leave everything running as it has been with the tournament for now!!

182

Tools of the Trade / Re: An iphone app specifically for SMs!

« on: Feb 04, 2010, 11:44 pm »

After using it for a couple of days, I am not that impressed.  It is a good idea, but needs a lot more detail.  It is difficult to input large amounts of data and needs more options for topics (like an option to have cast check in that removes people so you know who you are still missing, a place to input show report data, etc).  Also, the show time, which seemed like a great tool, doesn't have a pause button, so if you are in rehearsal and need to stop the timer, it will stop and reset.  It records the time, but you have to add the numbers together, which gets complicated especially for things like dance.

I think it is a great start to an app, but it needs a lot more work before it can justify the $4.99 price tag.

183

Tools of the Trade / Re: Prop: Drugs on stage

« on: Feb 04, 2010, 05:43 pm »

I would HIGHLY recommend NOT snorting any foreign substances.  Besides just being icky, it is a big health hazard to put any kind of powder in the nasal passages.  Many of the things that have been mentioned are just tiny crystals, which cut up the delicate tissue on the inside of the nose.  This can lead to nose bleeds or more seriously, infections in the nasal cavity or lungs.  Anything other than air that goes into the lungs can also cause very serious infections and other health risks.

What I have done successfully many times is use whatever powder looks best to you (my favorite is Splenda or other sugar replacement mixed with non-dairy creamer), and then after it is cut into small lines onstage, just push the straw or rolled paper/bill through the line.  It moves enough of the powder out of the way that the audience gets the impression that it was inhaled.  If the actor can inhale just after they remove the straw from the line it will help sell it.

As for marijuana, the first question to ask is are you allowed to have fire of any kind onstage in your venue (although we don't usually think about it, this does usually include matches, lighters, and cigarettes of any kind).  If you do have the appropriate permits, etc, ask your actors what they would prefer, either regular tobacco or something herbal.  You can then buy either loose tobacco or herbal cigarettes and rolling papers and use those.  If you need to see the bag of marijuana, you can use a double bag with the tobacco/herbal cigarette filling on the inside bag, and some sort of herb like oregano in the outside of the bag.  It will look like the bag is full with just marijuana, but when the actors open it, they can take out the stuff that is easier on their lungs.  The chemical compounds in tobacco aside, the smoke is frequently easier to handle than smoking something herbal, according to the actors I have worked with.

Hope this helps!

184

The Green Room / Re: Scrapbook? Personal mementos?

« on: Feb 03, 2010, 12:07 pm »

I used to keep programs and stuff, but after moving a couple of times and 150 shows, I found I just didn't have space and time and energy to keep things anymore.  Now I will keep mementos from big events (world premieres, etc) but other than than I just keep a list of shows on my computer.

A post-mortem journal is a good idea.  I hadn't really ever thought about that!!

185

The Green Room / Re: Trivia Tournament II: Electric Boogaloo

« on: Feb 03, 2010, 09:11 am »

Science please!!

186

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: What SMs Should/Should Not Say During Casting Process?

« on: Jan 29, 2010, 09:18 pm »

We use a couple of different categories.  There is special, which usually means typical actor challenged but not a mean or bad person, and an adventure, which means special plus a bad attitude or difficult to work with. 

187

Tools of the Trade / Re: An iphone app specifically for SMs!

« on: Jan 29, 2010, 08:59 pm »

I have an IPod touch, but I will try it it out and see if it works.  Details to follow!

188

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

« on: Jan 15, 2010, 10:32 pm »

in addition to the other great things mentioned...

10) On the first day of rehearsal, take a moment to introduce yourself to the SM if you don't know them already.  Remember that the actor only has a couple names to learn (of the SM team), and the SM's may have as many as 100.  Also, please don't be angry if we can't remember your name and need to be reminded.  It should only take a day or two.  (Bribing us with chocolate or coffee will usually speed up the process )

189

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: CALLING: Musical number where I can't hear....countdown software?

« on: Dec 04, 2009, 07:28 am »

Also, please be very careful about adding additional audio feeds into an already loud situation, especially in-ear types. You may even want to add earplugs during the drumline section to protect yourself. (Gosh, I sound like my mother!)

I would second this, especially the ear plugs.  The damage that loud noise causes to your hearing is irreparable.  Besides protecting your hearing, having ear plugs may end up helping you call the show, because they will reduce the overall volume but you will still be able to hear the main beat.  Think about when you are a loud concert and you plug your ears to hear someone next to you say something or to hear your favorite song a little better.  It is the same thing.  (If there is someone more knowledgeable about the science of sound that could expound on why this is true, that would be great!)

Good luck!

190

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ESCRIPTS Archive June 09-Dec. 10

« on: Dec 04, 2009, 07:20 am »

For Musicals I found a great site that lots of scripts. they need formatting (i personally don't like how they are composed) but they appear complete. I've not sat down and compared them yet. I'll update as soon as i do

http://web.archive.org/web/20031203083942/libretto.musicals.ru/letter.php?language=1

Hope this helps others like it's hopefully going to me.

Most of the shows that I checked on this site were only the song lyrics, not the entire libretto (meaning there are no scene/dialogue, just what is sung).  Also, it isn't clear whether they are reprinted with permission from the publisher or if it is just a site where someone gathered the info and posted it.

191

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Choice of Stage Managment Colleges

« on: Nov 08, 2009, 06:59 pm »

I do agree with your assessment!!  All scandals aside, I feel like I got a solid education at UNC, which lead to a lot of work in the Denver area.  Most of the SM's that I knew at UNC are still working (rvhead, would you concur?) 10-15 years later, which says something about their training.  Not having a grad program made a big difference, and the scale of the shows were good preparation for the professional world.  LTR (the summer stock company) was a good way to get more hands-on experience, and offered a chance to take the educational skills you had learned and turn them into professional experience.
As for Greeley, it is a smaller town but it is only about an hour from Denver and Boulder, which both have growing cultural communities.  It is like many towns where the primary employer is the university.  It has grown from the farming community it was into a bigger city.  It is not a super diverse community, but there is great food (especially Mexican).  UNC has a beautiful campus, lots of trees and places to walk, and the city is easy to navigate.

192

Employment / Re: Interview Questions

« on: Nov 05, 2009, 04:27 pm »

I ask a lot of "Give me an example of a time when you dealt with (blank) and how did you deal with it?"  These situations include dealing with an unmotivated crew person, balancing multiple responsibilities at the same time, mediating a disagreement, things like that.  I find that asking for specific examples gets past the couched, rehearsed answers that we all prepare before interviews.

193

The Green Room / Re: Best one-liner from a performance report

« on: Nov 02, 2009, 01:45 pm »

One of my favorites...

"The hookers need more money and crack pipes..."

It was just one of those shows!

194

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Fight the flu?

« on: Oct 23, 2009, 06:26 pm »

Having recently missed more than a week of rehearsals, etc while out with the H1N1 flu, I can sympathize!!

As everyone has said, good hand hygiene is the best defense.  This means washing/using hand sanitizer frequently, covering your mouth with your arm (not hand) when you cough or sneeze, and staying away from other people when you feel sick.

Bleach wipes are also good, especially if you share phones, computers, or desks.  Don't share water bottles or food.  If you have bigger props to wash off, a 10% bleach/water solution will kill any viruses that are anywhere.  (MAKE SURE YOU TEST IT SOMEWHERE THAT WON'T BE SEEN FIRST).

Influenza (either seasonal or H1N1) is an airborne virus that is transmitted through breath or saliva contact.  The CDC or local health dept will also be able to give you more info.

195

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Advice for a newbie

« on: Oct 16, 2009, 08:01 pm »

Another thing to think about is when you are working with a bigger company, you may be working on multiple shows at the same time, and having a system of forms or documentation will help keep you organized, make your life easier because you do each thing the same way each time, and helps you remember which info is for which show.  As the PSM for a company, I frequently have one show in performances, 2-3 in rehearsals, and another 2-3 in preproduction.  Having everything written down and easy to understand means that we don't accidentally end up asking for tap shoes for an opera, or space helmets for Shakespeare.  You might also find that the more shows you do (or the older you get... the harder it is to just remember everything.

Everything everyone else has said is also very true.  Life happens, and there are times when someone will have to take over for you, fill in, or just find something when you are not around, and having the show documented means that person will be able to have what they need.