Messages

256

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Reports - Getting actors to read them (from Tools of the Trade)

« on: Nov 22, 2006, 12:00 am »

Speaking as the person who actually created the word document for the TX State SM report you are trying to copy into the body of an email (it was John's form, I just made the document and was the first SM in the department to type and email out reports; it was all handwritten hard copies before that point) it copied and pasted easily for me, but I've got a PC and was using Outlook. 

I liked that report form, but I've got a new one that I use now that is much simpler, and would probably be much easier for you to send via email in the body of a message.  PM me with your email address and I'll send you copies of the performance and rehearsal reports that I use now. 

And for the record, it was just as hard to get people to read the report when I was there too; some things never change!!

257

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: To Capitalize or not capitalize...

« on: Nov 16, 2006, 12:13 pm »

(And everyone knows that Equity trumps English... )

LOL.  I thought Equity had its own language and therefore the rules of english don't apply...

258

The Hardline / Re: Another question on joining AEA

« on: Nov 12, 2006, 09:11 am »

People do that in PA because it's a Right to Work state, so you can't require people to join a union to do union work, though I know of people who have taken advantage of that and do it continually.

Just be careful about it.

You can exercise this option in states that are not a "Right to Work" state as well.  From my conversations with AEA when I was doing all of the contracting and reports on this particular contract (I was the company manager at the time), someone can exercise this option for the length of one contract and must join the union the next time they are offered union work.

Again, you should contact AEA for further information/clarification. 

259

The Hardline / Re: Another question on joining AEA

« on: Nov 08, 2006, 12:41 am »

You might also be able to defer your membership to the union for one show.  Under the Taft-Hartley act (also known as the Labor-Management Relations Act), a person may defer membership to a union for a specific trial period.  In the case of AEA, it's one production.  Contact the membership department at AEA for more specific information.  An SM at the company I work with exercised this option.  She signed an AEA contract, but she struck clause 7, the clause regarding membership/the deduction of working dues.  She was paid at the standard SM rate, but no dues were deducted. The company still paid all Equity benefits (pension, health, etc) despite the deferment. 

It's definitely worth investigating if you really want the job but aren't quite ready to go union. 

260

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: 8 rehearsals 'til tech week and i can't sleep

« on: Nov 06, 2006, 10:09 am »

First of all, relax and take a deep breath!  Since you are thinking ahead and seem to be very aware of what is going on and what still needs to happen, you are more prepared for this than you think you are.  Now, as far as how does one stay alive and functioning as it get to crunch time, sleep and maintaining a good diet is what helps me.  Try to limit your caffeine intake, especially in the evening as that will keep you up longer.  Also try to limit the amount of fast food you are eating.  I know its tempting to grab something fast, but the greasy and fatty food will feel heavy and will slow you down.  Also, eating three meals with several snacks throughout the rehearsal day helps me keep far more alert and focused than eating a large meal and then trying to make it through an entire rehearsal day.  When you do lay down to sleep, try some deep breathing or relaxation exercises to totally clear your mind.  You could also try drinking a decaffeinated tea (they have several lovely night time blends). 

I hope some of this helps.  Best of luck to you!

261

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Calling/teching your first show, your experiences.

« on: Oct 30, 2006, 02:38 am »

During my first official tech in college as a stage manager on the Mainstage (I had ASMed and worked on student productions) I almost fainted on the first day of tech.  I was so busy running around making sure that everything was ready for tech that I totally forgot to eat or drink anything all day.  I sat down on the stage at the top of the tech to make the general company announcements and the room just started spinning.  The rest of the evening was totally in slow motion, and we didn't get as far as we hoped, some of it due to the fact I just wasn't on my game.  At the end of the production meeting, our head of tech design and the head of the lighting program told me to go home, sleep, and come back hydrated and well fed the next day.  It made a HUGE difference and that day was far more productive. 

I learned a valuable lesson that day.  Now, I snack during breaks throughout the rehearsal day, and I keep hydrated by keeping a water bottle with me at all times. 

It does get easier the more shows you do; I still learn something new on every production that I do. 

262

Stage Management: Other / Re: Education Department Websites?

« on: Oct 22, 2006, 07:57 pm »

Congrats on the promotion!

Check out the National Players' website.   They are the classical touring company associated with Olney Theatre Center for the Arts, and are a part of our educational department as they tour to schools across the country.  They do workshops for students and also have study guides that go with the shows that they've got on the road. 

Our education department is expanding, and the Olney Theatre Institute website should be up and running soon (there will be a link on the NP website, but it's not active yet). 

Hope the link is helpful !

263

Employment / Re: Websites

« on: Oct 22, 2006, 02:13 pm »

I've set one up using Microsoft Office Live:  reneeEyancey.com.  It's pretty basic with just a bio, resume, and a list of current projects with links to the theatre and ticket/box office info. 

264

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Actor Calls

« on: Oct 07, 2006, 11:11 am »

I use the same system as Matthew.  For the show I was working on this summer, though, I had to add 20 and 10 minute calls in to help keep the ladies' wig and corset schedule on time.  

I think a stage manager should use whatever calling system is going to ensure that the cast is at places and the show starts on time, at least on your end (FOH is a whole other ball game...)

265

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: ASMs vs SMs

« on: Sep 30, 2006, 10:08 am »

What are your thoughts on having an ASM handling blocking?

I prefer to take blocking myself.  During a very large scene, I may ask my ASM to take blocking for the chorus while I follow the principals, and then compare notes with him/her later.  Also, if there is an AD on the show and we're working two different scenes at the same time, I'll send those pages from my book with my ASM so that he/she can make the appropriate changes/have the blocking at hand if there is a question.  I'm sure there are other situations similar to these in which an ASM would be used to take blocking, but I think in these situations and in practice, ASMs take blocking in addition to the SM, not instead of. 

I'm curious to hear of others experiences. 

266

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: First time Sming

« on: Sep 29, 2006, 10:10 am »

I agree with ThePretenderX: some of the directors I worked in in an educational theatre setting treated me as a glorified assistant whereas some used me in the traditional sense.  In addition to sitting down and having a chat with the director about his/her expectations, I would suggest arranging a chat with one or more of the following people, if available:

• SM advisor/the person who makes SM assignments
• Head of Tech/Design
• Technical Director
• Senion SMs in the department

Also, read through the boards; there is a lot of helpful info out there from SMs with a broad range of experiences.  I would also suggest picking up a copy of Thomas Kelly's Backstage Guide to Stage Management or Lawrence Stern's Stage Management, 8th edition.  Both are excellent books regarding the craft (if neither are available in your library, the Kelly book is the least expensive of the two, and I would suggest purchasing it). 

Best of luck to you!!

267

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: ASMs vs SMs

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 01:11 pm »

Within reason includes foot massages, doesn't it?

Absolutely! 

268

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Book and Tabs

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 01:09 pm »

(I put them on the BACK of said script page so when you pull for them you don't pull it off - and actually, it's the back of the PREVIOUS page of the script, so when you pull the tab you get the right page.)

That's brilliant!  I use the flag method, but had always put the flag on the actual page.  I'm going to try this for my next show!

269

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: ASMs vs SMs

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 10:25 am »

When I work on musicals, I'm usually lucky enough to have two ASMs.  I often need to have three rehearsals going at once (blocking, music, and dance), so it's great to be able to since there can be a member of the stage management staff in each of the rehearsals.  My first ASM is in charge of props tracking and creating the run sheets; my 2nd ASM is in charge of tracking costumes/quick changes.  In rehearsal situations where we are all in the same room, I'll have one ASM on book prompting, and the other one following the book to take line notes.  They take care of setting up all rehearsal spaces and handle all rehearsal transitions.  And if rehearsal is light and they need to work on updating props lists, run sheets, check-in with a department, etc, I'll send one of them at a time out to work on those things. 

Good ASMs are truly a blessing!

Here are a couple of other threads you might be interested in checking out: Newbie at ASMing and How to ASM

270

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Book and Tabs

« on: Sep 27, 2006, 02:48 am »

I personally have 20 dividers in my book, as follows: 

• Contacts
• Reh. Schedules
• Perf. Schedules
• Calendar(s)
• Prompt Script
• Blocking Script
• Score
• Scene Breakdowns
• Dramaturgy
• Electrics
• Props
• Sets
• Sound
• Wardrobe/Wigs
• Prod. Mtg. Notes
• Reh. Reports
• Perf. Reports
• Run Sheets
• Cast/AEA Info
• Notes

If I only had 8 dividers available to me, though, I would setup my book as follows:

• Contact Info
• Schedules & Calendars
• Script & Score
• Technical Info
• Run Sheets
• Reh & Perf Reports
• Notes
• Miscellaneous

Under technical info, I would use a couple of different colors of paper and post-it flags/dividers to separate the different departments. 

Hope this is helpful!!