Messages

286

Employment / Re: From the other side of the resume (low key rant - personal advice)

« on: Sep 21, 2007, 10:54 pm »

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I might add a few additional:

1) If you are sending your resume as an attachment, please include your name (or part of it) in the file name.  If I have 15 Resume.doc files, I don't know which is yours.

2) Proof read, proof read, and proof read.  Then have someone else proof read...

3) Have an understandable, easy to identify email address.  Luv2StgMgr6987@email.com and prttyprncss69@email.com don't make you seem like the professional that I am sure you are.

  SSM

287

The Hardline / Re: AEA Teachers

« on: Sep 12, 2007, 05:00 pm »

The info that I was given from AEA when I was asking a similar question was that typically you can be given an exemption for working at an educational organization, but the decision is made on a case by case basis.  I would confirm this with your area AEA rep, although if you are asking hypothetically and not about a specific job, they may not be able to give you a definitive answer.  Keep us updated!

288

Tools of the Trade / Re: Cleaning Plexiglass Mirrors

« on: Sep 10, 2007, 05:33 pm »

The crew had the windshield wiper fluid in a spray bottle. 

Just make sure that if the cleaner is transferred to a different bottle than it was originally shipped in, it is VERY clearly labeled as what it is and whether it is toxic.  This will prevent anyone from thinking that it is just blue Kool-Aid, and drinking it.  (Sad, but unfortunately it happens all to often, especially with kids).

SSM

289

Employment / Re: References from the same organization??

« on: Sep 10, 2007, 05:26 pm »

That's a good way to handle it.  Thank you!!

290

Employment / References from the same organization??

« on: Sep 07, 2007, 04:45 pm »

Thank you in advance for any insight that anyone can give to this.

I have been lucky enough to have done resident work for most of my career, meaning that I have been at theatres for 3-7 years.  I frequently work with the same directors/designers/production staff. 

My question is when listing references, is it ok to list 3 people from the same organization?  I feel like the longer I have worked, the more I have learned, and therefore have become a better SM, and someone that I worked with 3 years ago has a different idea of my skills than someone I worked with 3 weeks ago.  I am concerned with listing people from the same place (especially for any of the work I have done as a staff member of a University), because I feel like it doesn't show enough variety and makes me look less professional.

Would anyone be able to offer some advice on this?  It is not an urgent issue, but as I do occasionally send out resumes, it would be very helpful.

Thank you!!

SSM

291

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PSMing vs. ASMing

« on: Aug 30, 2007, 04:11 pm »

In some ways they are such different jobs that it is hard to compare.  I don't necessarily think one is better than the other, as they are both important.  For me, I think being an ASM is much harder than a PSM. 

It does lead me to a secondary question, which is why if they are such different jobs/skill requirements, is the traditional career path PA, ASM, SM, PSM?  Is there a way that makes more sense?

SSM

292

Stage Management: Other / Re: Taping the stage for dance

« on: Aug 21, 2007, 12:04 pm »

I usually tape center, quarters, and outstage marks at downstage (edge of Marley, not edge of stage), centerstage with CC mark larger than others, and US.  Occasionally I will mark eighths, but it depends on the choreographer.  Please let me know if this doesn't make sense!

SSM

293

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Where do I start?

« on: Aug 17, 2007, 10:33 am »

Scooter - maybe we're not quite on the same page here.  I definitely don't think an SM Instructor needs a degree in Stage Management.  I'd bet that most of us who have an SM degree were taught by someone without an SM degree, as those programs didn't really exist until the early 90s, at the earliest.  I know my SM prof had his undergrad in acting and a masters in directing, but went on to a successful SM career.

Thanks for clarifying!  I think we are on the same page, ultimately.  Degree in something - good.  SM experience - good.  Joe-Bob the janitor teaching the SM classes - bad.   
My degree is not in stage management (it's in directing), and I occasionally teach SM classes, so I just wanted to acknowledge that working experience can be a good place to gain skills, that it doesn't have to start in a classroom.
SSM

294

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Where do I start?

« on: Aug 15, 2007, 10:56 am »

It still just doesn't make sense to me. 

I'd much rather have someone who's SMed for their career rather than someone who has built sets, or designed lights or someone who's directed.  That's the end for me, no ifs ands of buts.  A good SM program includes everything you just said and more, and a good instructor knows that.

I would repectfully disagree that a stage management instructor needs a degree in stage management.  A significant amount of professional experience, yes, but not necessarily a degree.

I would agree, though, that a working stage manager should have an undergrad degree in something.  Frequently you will use what you learn in all of your non-SM classes and the people skills that you learn in four years more than what you will learn in SM specific classes.

Just MHO!   

295

Tools of the Trade / Re: IM Programs in Rehearsal

« on: Aug 14, 2007, 01:05 pm »

Texting can be useful when you have multiple shows in rehearsals, or have rehearsals split into multiple rooms.  It can also be a show-saving back up system if (as happened to me twice last year on 2 separate opening nights) you lose headset communications with backstage, and need to relay cues to the ASM/Deck/etc.  Texting was the only means of communication I had with backstage, and we were able to make it through 2 cue heavy shows without having to stop the performance.

296

Tools of the Trade / Re: Glo-tape

« on: Aug 13, 2007, 04:15 pm »

I have had really good experiences with Production Advantage.  Not sure what brand the glow tape is, but it seems to hold a charge pretty well, and the prices are decent.
(now if only someone would invent glow tape that actually sticks to anything, we would be set!)

297

The Green Room / Re: SMs in media?

« on: Jul 30, 2007, 06:00 pm »

What about David Letterman's SM?  What's his name?

Biff Henderson.  He is the "backstage" SM, dealing with guests, etc.  Again, the job of a TV SM is very different than that of a stage SM.

298

Stage Management: Other / Re: Cosi fan Tutte score w/ no measure numbers??

« on: Jul 30, 2007, 10:15 am »

I will guarantee that the pianist is not playing from a full orchestral score

Yeah, sorry about that.  What I really meant was that they sometimes have a different version of the score than I do.

I have a message into to the maestro to see if I can borrow his score at any point and will copy the rehearsal numbers into my score and scores for the production staff.

Thank you!!!!!!

299

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Bows

« on: Jul 27, 2007, 12:43 am »

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (also known as internships) I worked wardrobe on a production of A Tuna Christmas.  The director forced the crew to come out for a bow at the end of curtain call, against all of our pleading to not have to do it.

Other than that, I haven't really seen it done.
SSM

300

College and Graduate Studies / Re: SM Colleges in the MD, PA regions

« on: Jul 26, 2007, 02:21 am »

Although maybe a little far away, Emerson College in Boston has a very good program as well.