181
Introductions / Re: Hi From KC!
« on: Jul 15, 2016, 05:03 pm »
Welcome aboard! What kinds of plays/shows do you like to work on the most?
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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182
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ANIMALS: Birds onstage?
« on: Jul 14, 2016, 11:49 am »
Well, we've been up and running for a week. The birds have been doing well- they are canaries. They started out in the same cage and got along well, but a few weeks in started squabbling with each other, so we got separate cages. We also got them a heat lamp because the temperature of the office they "live" in was not quite warm enough for them.
In rehearsals, we had the actors handle the birds every other day, to slowly build their comfort level and let the birds become comfortable with people handling them. We started in a small office, so that the birds would be easier to catch if they got loose.
We did have some issues with them being especially "chirpy" during rehearsals for a week or so, but it resolved itself when we moved to stage.
The birds actually do pretty well onstage- the combined darkness of the theatre and the warmth of the stage lighting suits them. They are only onstage for the early part of the show, and then they are returned to their "home". If they are in total darkness, like in a covered cage, they assume it is night and go to sleep.
Of course, we have a backup plan for them, in case there is ever a day that they are not able to perform for any reason. They definitely have their own personalities- it's very apparent!
In rehearsals, we had the actors handle the birds every other day, to slowly build their comfort level and let the birds become comfortable with people handling them. We started in a small office, so that the birds would be easier to catch if they got loose.
We did have some issues with them being especially "chirpy" during rehearsals for a week or so, but it resolved itself when we moved to stage. The birds actually do pretty well onstage- the combined darkness of the theatre and the warmth of the stage lighting suits them. They are only onstage for the early part of the show, and then they are returned to their "home". If they are in total darkness, like in a covered cage, they assume it is night and go to sleep.
Of course, we have a backup plan for them, in case there is ever a day that they are not able to perform for any reason. They definitely have their own personalities- it's very apparent!
183
Introductions / Re: Glad to have found an SM forum
« on: Jul 08, 2016, 01:03 pm »
Welcome aboard, Jerry! Looking forward to hearing about your experiences as well.
184
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Report/Notes Language
« on: Jul 04, 2016, 01:59 pm »
I do note audience reaction in the report. It's helpful to those who aren't there to know how things went. If there's nothing interesting to note, then oh well. But I've found that directors and playwrights in particular really like to know how folks reacted. I also do a lot of TYA theatre and as leastlikely mentioned, there is often a lot more to report for those shows!
I've also found that if reports are at least a little interesting, people are more likely to read them. On a recent tour I noted how many total patrons had seen the show, and how many total miles we had traveled. I also snapped a pic of the house in each venue and attached it to the notes.
I've also found that if reports are at least a little interesting, people are more likely to read them. On a recent tour I noted how many total patrons had seen the show, and how many total miles we had traveled. I also snapped a pic of the house in each venue and attached it to the notes.
185
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Master Cue Sheet
« on: Jul 03, 2016, 04:51 pm »never heard of this in my life . . .
run book / run sheets . . .
But before tech, how would I know what cues I would be calling?
Do designer's not give a preliminary list of cues or does it solely depend on the individual designer? Are lighting, or sound cues usually not pre-programmed before tech? I sometimes receive a prelim. sound cue sheet from my sound designer before tech and I pencil them in.
I usually get cues from designers sometime between design run and tech, or during tech itself. Some of them make a list, hand me a marked-up copy of the script, or sit down with me and talk through cues right before we start teching. But often they will just give me cues as they add them, during tech.
Usually you will have practical cues, rail cues, and deck cues figured out ahead of time (because they can be determined in rehearsal). Other than that it's often figured out during tech. Or (not very often in my experience) during dry tech or paper tech.
186
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Simultaneous Shows ?!?
« on: Jul 02, 2016, 07:29 pm »
Sounds fascinating, Bex. Tech will probably be an interesting challenge- lots of collaboration with the other SM team, timings of entrances and exits etc.
Would also be interesting to see what kind of "wiggle room" you have is someone is running late for an entrance- is there added dialogue, permission to adlib, etc.
Are there 2 directors? Would also be a very collaborative work for them, making their plays fit with what the other is doing.
Would also be interesting to see what kind of "wiggle room" you have is someone is running late for an entrance- is there added dialogue, permission to adlib, etc.
Are there 2 directors? Would also be a very collaborative work for them, making their plays fit with what the other is doing.
187
Self-Promotion / Re: Weird life transition
« on: Jul 01, 2016, 02:34 pm »
Congrats! Always fun to try something new.
189
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Mic Q Sheet
« on: Jun 29, 2016, 02:03 pm »
In lieu of a Q sheet, another option is to mark up a script with entrances and exits. Then they can follow the script to see where the cues happen.
190
Job Postings / SM needed ASAP in Baltimore
« on: Jun 27, 2016, 03:06 pm »
I'm not affiliated with this posting- if interested, please reply to the email listed.
STAGE MANAGER NEEDED STAT
Replacement stage manager for Young Vic production of IOLANTHE in Baltimore. Needed now thru July 24. SM had to cancel due to health issues. Please contact don @ donaldthomaslighting.com ASAP if you or someone you know is available.
Needs to be local and have transportation.
STAGE MANAGER NEEDED STAT
Replacement stage manager for Young Vic production of IOLANTHE in Baltimore. Needed now thru July 24. SM had to cancel due to health issues. Please contact don @ donaldthomaslighting.com ASAP if you or someone you know is available.
Needs to be local and have transportation.
193
Introductions / Re: Hello
« on: Jun 23, 2016, 12:21 pm »
Hi and welcome from a fellow Maryland-er!
194
Introductions / Re: officially saying hello!
« on: Jun 23, 2016, 12:20 pm »
Hi and welcome Natalie! I think getting experience working in the field is one of the best ways to learn stage management. Sounds like when you graduate you'll have a lot of "outside" work on your resume, which can only help in landing job. Glad to have you on the boards!
195
Employment / Re: How far are you willing to travel?
« on: Jun 20, 2016, 05:03 pm »
My limit is generally about an hour too...I live in the suburbs of a large metropolitan area, and when I moved from the outskirts to the suburbs a few years ago travel time was a major deciding factor. Most of the theatres that I work at are in the 45min-1 hour range. It helps that the drive home is faster, since there is generally less traffic.
I know a couple of people who live in the next state over and commute here, and their travel is 2hrs...it's a lot of time to be on the road, and if there are major traffic problems on a given day they are basically SOL. But, the trade-off for them of living in a nicer, cheaper area is worth it for them.
I know a couple of people who live in the next state over and commute here, and their travel is 2hrs...it's a lot of time to be on the road, and if there are major traffic problems on a given day they are basically SOL. But, the trade-off for them of living in a nicer, cheaper area is worth it for them.