Messages

31

Tools of the Trade / MTI's Stage Manager Scripts

« on: Dec 12, 2008, 09:47 pm »

I came across this on the MTI website.

http://www.MTIshows.com/resource_SM_scripts.asp

It seems that they offer scripts already hole-punched, and in binders.  They are so called "Stage Manager Scripts".  This would save time copying the entire script, but if you are one of the people (like me), who have the script on the left side and the blocking on the right, then this wouldn't work for you.  And then, if you like to have more than one script for blocking and calling, is it really worth it to order another one?

So really, I guess all I want to know is to ask you:  What do you think of this idea?

32

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Picking a New Stage Manager

« on: Dec 07, 2008, 02:02 pm »

I am in charge of picking, training, and guiding a new stage manager through their first production.
I am in the high school, and the middle school is putting on Aesop's Foibles.  What are some good qualities to look for?  They would either be in 7th or 8th grade, and I really don't know that many people in the middle school.  How do you think you could tell if someone will make and ok stage manager?

Thanks,
Dan

33

SMNetwork Archives / Re: I could have kissed them!

« on: Nov 30, 2008, 07:44 pm »

I could have kissed them when...

I had to run the sound board, light board, projections, be on book, run follow spot, and be a one-man running crew during a rehearsal when my ASM wasn't there.  A group of ensemble members then came up to the booth and asked me if there was anything they could do to help me.

Rehearsal was much easier for me after that.

34

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Fill in the BLANK...

« on: Nov 29, 2008, 09:05 pm »

For my high school production of Thoroughly Modern Millie I found out 5 days before the opening that I was responsible for creating the subtitles to be projected on a screen hung above the stage so the audience could understand what the Chinese characters were saying.  I had to stay late and come early more than one time to get that done and the right size on the screen.

Projection design really isn't my strong point...

35

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROMPT BOOK: Creating a Calling Script

« on: Nov 29, 2008, 08:31 pm »

This is my first experience actually calling a show as SM.  I have SM'd twice before, but that was in middle school, and the Technical Director/Theater Production teacher would call it.  Those two shows were to "train" me.  

It's now my job to actually call the show, and I now have to write in the cues for sound, projection, and running crew.  The TD is going to call the lights, because she thinks its best for me to get used to calling without having to worry about lights.

Anyway, how to you normally go about writing the cues in?  An electronic script is definitely out of the question.
I know this is one of those things that varies from SM to SM, but suggestions, please.

Dan

36

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Blocking Pages in Prompt Book

« on: Oct 16, 2008, 05:47 pm »

Thanks everyone

I now realize that this, like other things that come up while stage managing, is something I need to figure out for myself.
Thanks for your comments though, they'll come in handy.

37

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / FORMS: Blocking Pages in Prompt Book

« on: Oct 15, 2008, 05:35 pm »

I was just wondering if this is an okay layout for a page to taking blocking notes on in my prompt book.  Should the stage diagram be smaller? Should I have more than one?

By the way, I am Stage Managing Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Please look at the attachment.

Thanks

38

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Forms

« on: Oct 14, 2008, 06:23 pm »

I'm the sm for my high school's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.  I want to know what forms are needed and helpful when stage managing rehearsals.

Thanks.

39

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Please Help Me

« on: Oct 10, 2008, 07:01 pm »

Oh, one more question.

In the theatre at LaSalle (my school), there is absolutely no way to have a video monitor of the stage.  The only way to figure out what is happening onstage is the audio monitor with the speaker backstage.  The only way to see is to stick your head out of the curtains, or try to get whoever is in the booth to tell you whats happening.  Usually, the Technical Director will give the light cues, and the sound operator will either do it by themselves or have the stage manager call it.  the booth isn't that far away from the stage, and because it is a thrust theater, you can get a great view of the stage from the booth.  There is plenty of room in the booth, and i fell more comfortable calling from there.  Is that where i should call from?

Thanks

40

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Please Help Me

« on: Oct 09, 2008, 10:41 pm »

I'm a freshman in high school, and my school is putting on Thoroughly Modern Millie.  I was asked to stage manage by the president of the school, who is directing the play.  I already have stage-managed 2 productions when i was in 7th and 8th grade, and i already know the basic gist of it.

I was just wondering about some things. 
Since I'm only a freshman, all of the upper class men who are in the cast sometimes don't listen to me or ignore me.  What should i do?

Also, i'm not sure where i should call the show from.  The theatre the high school uses is the same one the middle school uses.  when i was in 7th and 8th grade, i called the shows from the booth, which isn't that far away from the stage.  One night, my ASM couldn't make the show so i had to call it from backstage.  There was a lot of running crew cues in it, and it was completely different giving the cues from backstage as compared to the booth. there is no camera to backstage, so i can't see whats going on onstage.  What should i do.

Also, if you have any suggestions, please tell me.

Thanks