Messages

31

Employment / Hiring and references

« on: Nov 24, 2006, 10:41 am »

After an incident when my director yelled at me for having his name on my CV (apparently a potential employer had called him up and he was reluctant to give me a reference) I no longer put my directors names on my CV. I do, however, ask them if I can list them as a reference on my CV and depending on what job I have just gone for I will alter my references accordingly. I.E. Putting down a chief electrician if I'm applying for a lighting position is better than putting down a director 9 times out of 10 or vica versa.

My CV reads as follows.

Year - Position - Show Name - Company - Theatre

32

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Actor Calls

« on: Nov 24, 2006, 10:11 am »

I do generally give my calls 5 minutes before "realtime". My beginners call is variable though, although I usually do it 5 minutes before the stated curtain time. I never tell the company that house is being held for any reason. In my experience it just annoys/frustrates/panics them to know that we're waiting for a coach party/sorting out double booking/waiting for ambulance because of something happening with patrons (don't laugh - it's happened before!). I like to start my shows on time so when I get house then I just do a final check with crew, stand everyone by and then start.

Giving calls 5 minutes before realtime also means that anyone who isn't ready onstage by the time I've gotten the house will get an extra call from prompt corner.

33

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stop The Show!

« on: Nov 24, 2006, 09:49 am »

I've, thankfully, never had to stop a show. I've been involved in one that was postponed during my followspot days. A pigeon flew into the Grand Circle through the fire doors (God knows why they were left open) and we had to delay the show for an hour and half while we tried to get it out. It was a matinee and our shows ended up being back to back. Needless to say, we lost about 30% of our audience and the company and stage manager were not impressed.