Messages

181

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Community, Round 7: Gaff Tape vs Paper

« on: Dec 22, 2012, 12:57 pm »

There are ways I can live without gaff. I could probably live without paper as well, but it would be painful and time consuming to make that happen.

182

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Community, Round 6: Flashlight vs Paper

« on: Dec 19, 2012, 11:02 am »

You keep using this word... Socialist.... I do not think that word means what you think it means...

I'm using what I learned from watching the election coverage and applying them here. And stop trying to stifle me just because I'm part of the 47%!

183

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Community, Round 6: Flashlight vs Paper

« on: Dec 19, 2012, 12:48 am »

Matthew and Nick have now formed an unholy alliance that I fear is the last sign of the apocalypse.

P.S. - PAPER, YOU SOCIALISTS!

184

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Community, Round 5: Gaff Tape vs Spike Tape

« on: Dec 17, 2012, 11:29 pm »

DUUUUUDE?!? How in Hades is gaff winning?? Too much time is being spent on the multi-tool/copier debate!

185

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Regional Round 5: Multitool vs Photocopier

« on: Dec 17, 2012, 11:26 pm »

It's sad how much enjoyment I'm getting from this thread. So so sad...

And yet, I would have taken a year of this over the 2012 election coverage ANY DAY.

VOTE COPIER OR YOU'RE A SOCIALIST!

186

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Regional Round 5: Multitool vs Photocopier

« on: Dec 16, 2012, 02:06 pm »

(gets on soapbox)

That is the true genius of America, a faith -- a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on miracles of copying; that we can tuck in our children at night and know that they can wake up in the morning and make photocopies; that we can say what we think, print what we think, copy what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door; that we can have an idea and copy that idea without paying a bribe; that we can participate in the photocopy process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted.

*slow applause*
*single tear down the cheek*

187

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Regional Round 5: Multitool vs Photocopier

« on: Dec 16, 2012, 12:36 am »

Maybe it's because I spent the better part of a week at a copier running off scripts and scores for a cast of 20, plus directors, choreographers and designers - but I can't tell you the last time I picked up a multi-tool.

188

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Community, Round 5: Gaff Tape vs Spike Tape

« on: Dec 15, 2012, 04:11 pm »

I have to say though, as I've moved up professionally I've had to use less and less gaff over spike tape. Has anyone else found this to be true?

189

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: University, Round 3: Blue Gel vs Scale rule

« on: Dec 08, 2012, 05:49 pm »

Okay, I get the blue gel. I really do. But over a scale rule? Maybe it's because I've been using the darned thing for a week straight (groundplan changed....again) but when I need something covered in gel, I go to my ME and like a genie *poof!* it's done.

190

Self-Promotion / Re: Baby!

« on: Dec 05, 2012, 09:00 pm »

From one SM mum to another - accept help when it's offered, take time away when you can, use a babysitter as soon as you can, sleep when she sleeps, definitely don't worry about keeping a spotless house for a while, a sling is your best friend, don't try to alter her schedule by keeping her up late or forcing her awake (trust me!), the first time you hand her over to daycare you're going to be a wreck but it gets better. Best of all, breathe and enjoy it. Nothing proves to you how quickly time passes than watching a baby grow up.

Oh, and "Go!" should be her first word 

You're going to do great!

191

The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: NY TIMES saying no to college

« on: Dec 05, 2012, 09:11 am »

I took a gap-year between my senior year of high school and my freshman year of college because I had to make sure myself that theatre was more than the hobby my parents perceived it to be. It was definitely one of the better decisions I've made, and I got into a fantastic school with conservatory training, but during my freshman year my family had to declare bankruptcy. There was no way they could pay $35,000 a year for out-of-state tuition, and I wasn't eligible for in-state status, and a paltry $3,000 scholarship wouldn't help. I felt broken-hearted that I had to leave, but I decided on a 'put your education in your own hands' approach. I took an internship, and another and another; I read everything I could about the field; I honed my skills in community theatre (still paid, of course); I took administrative side jobs so I could improve my computer skills. Last year when I was hired on as a full-time staff SM, I was only three years older than the other staff SM with a degree from UNCSA. I finally felt validated in what I saw as one of the few options for me to take towards reaching a career goal.

Just last week my husband (in college himself) asked me if after he graduated I wanted to be next. My initial response was "Yes!" But when I really tried to think of the reasons why, none of them were legitimate. Wasn't the point of the degree getting the job I had already? I don't know too many other regional theatres that pay more than the Equity house down the street, so I've moved my sights off college. But we did discuss that, should we leave Charlotte, I would enroll in the EMC program with an Equity theatre in order to get my card and move on to the next step.

I think the article makes several excellent points: no one wants to be saddled with that much debt, especially in this economy, if your skills can be honed in real-life experiences, but you must be passionate about your self-education. Obviously this won't translate if you want to become a doctor, but I would think that in most creative or emerging fields an alternative education could be perceived as a positive. The only hinderance is the last generation who went to college who are now managers - I'd say it's an even split between those that prefer a degree over experience and those who prefer experience over a degree. This past weekend I spoke with a SM who graduated with a degree a couple of years ago who is having extreme difficulty calling a play with 200 cues.

I prefer experience.

192

Employment / Re: What (not?) to wear

« on: Nov 30, 2012, 02:28 pm »

Resurrecting this thread: I caught a rerun of an episode of What Not to Wear that featured the production manager at La Jolla Playhouse.

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/what-not-to-wear/pretty-not-provocative-makeover.htm

They focused on a wardrobe that was pulled together but could still go "from moving a couch with the stagehands to meeting a donor in the lobby." I think they had some great tips (though I don't agree with the amount of open-toed shoes .

It's season 8, episode 7 for those who'd want to look it up on Netflix or somewhere online.

I'll definitely catch this!

193

December Madness I: 2012 / Re: December Madness!

« on: Nov 29, 2012, 04:31 pm »

Printing. Posting on cubicle board. Watching as passersby glance and marvel at the awesomeness that is stage management December madness!

Huh, that's funny. That look of 'marvel' also resembles the 'that woman is crazy' look. Strange.

194

The Green Room / Re: What are you thankful for?

« on: Nov 21, 2012, 11:48 pm »

This year I'm thankful that I didn't have to do any version of The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol 

195

Introductions / Re: Hi All

« on: Nov 14, 2012, 10:46 pm »

Welcome! You'd be surprised what people find helpful to relieve stress. Browsing office supply stores, for instance...totally normal.