346
Self-Promotion / Re: Voyage de la Vie
« on: May 10, 2011, 09:40 am »
I don't say this often, but I'd LOVE to be in your shoes right now. Singapore in on my list!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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347
Self-Promotion / I've found a new home!
« on: May 07, 2011, 07:46 am »
I'm excited to say that I've been offered and have accepted the Resident Stage Manager position at Children's Theatre of Charlotte for the 2011-12 season, beginning in July. If you were at USITT this year then you probably heard about CTC or toured the facilities. I'm very excited to make the move from freelance to resident, and my son is thrilled he can brag to his friends that Mommy works where Lyle the Crocodile lives 
Believe me, the admiration of a three year old is quite the perk!
Believe me, the admiration of a three year old is quite the perk!
348
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!
« on: May 03, 2011, 12:41 am »I'd appreciate copies of either Ma Rainey's Black Bottom or Tartuffe. Thank you!
I may be able to help you with Tartuffe, but there's a ton of versions out there. Which one would you like?
349
The Green Room / Re: Stage managing and relationships
« on: Apr 18, 2011, 08:40 am »
I'm sure we've covered this before, but it's a serious enough topic that it warrants revisiting. This is just my experience so please don't think that it should relate to every couple in every situation.
When I reconnect with other stage managers and they find out that I'm married, the first question they ask me is, "What does he do? Is he in theatre?" When I say no, the response is usually, "Really?" or even "Why did you do that?" (that response was quite recent). In my case I made a mental note to marry someone who wasn't related to the field - and to be frank, at times I wonder if that was the smart or fair thing to do - and it surprised many people.
When I say we're very different, I mean night and day. He's a sports fanatic, to the point where if his friends want to know a stat they call him. Before we were married we learned open communication and to 'fight fair' before arguments escalate to full-on blow ups. "I know it's because you're busy, but..." is his usual way of saying he would like to have dinner, a date, one hour that's just us or with our son. When I have a day off and tell him I need a few hours alone, he knows I mean it. If I want to go out I make sure it's okay for him to have our son alone, but generally it is; and if he wants to go out he does the same - we don't keep track or keep score. We let each other have our stress relief away from each other if necessary and we're much more relaxed when we come together.
He didn't have a good idea of what I did initially, so he sat in a lot of shows that I SM'd; and he feels free to ask me as many questions as he wants. Sometimes I have to remember that he's on the outside, since some of the questions can be odd. But he makes a point to have an interest, and there have been moments where he realized, after seeing the finished product, that my job IS complicated, that no I wasn't exaggerating when I said 550+ cues in an hour-ten mins was quite a bit for a children's theatre production and it IS hard work that requires a lot of hours. That doesn't mean that he appreciates all of them - I have heard him snore through at least one production (though I couldn't blame him, it was a snooze).
The funniest moment was after we saw a friend's tour of "Miss Saigon" and we stopped for drinks at the hotel lobby where my friend was staying - and the entire cast and crew filed in, some of them stopping by to introduce themselves. My husband stopped talking and his eyes got big. When I asked him why, he said, "It's just...weird. I just saw them onstage and here they are - normal people."
Now that we have a three year old and my husband's gone back to school, our roles have changed, and he's done an amazing job. Now that I'm regular hours for the moment, he takes care of most things that I took care of when he was working and I didn't have a job. Gender roles had to be switched, and luckily he didn't have the famous 'Southern man's pride' when it came to cleaning the house while his wife is at the office. We're a team and we make it work.
I tell you all that to tell you that if you're looking for a serious relationship, make sure you can communicate without escalating into huge fights, maturity and understanding from your significant other is important, and always keep in the back of your mind that they may not understand why you're doing what you're doing, so you may have to go out of your way to show them - and don't forget to do the same thing for them. My husband still tries to talk baseball with me (no hope there) but I've gone from "What does a running back do?" to explaining the downfall of the Carolina Panthers after their 2003 Super Bowl loss. Yeah, a LOT of give and take!
When I reconnect with other stage managers and they find out that I'm married, the first question they ask me is, "What does he do? Is he in theatre?" When I say no, the response is usually, "Really?" or even "Why did you do that?" (that response was quite recent). In my case I made a mental note to marry someone who wasn't related to the field - and to be frank, at times I wonder if that was the smart or fair thing to do - and it surprised many people.
When I say we're very different, I mean night and day. He's a sports fanatic, to the point where if his friends want to know a stat they call him. Before we were married we learned open communication and to 'fight fair' before arguments escalate to full-on blow ups. "I know it's because you're busy, but..." is his usual way of saying he would like to have dinner, a date, one hour that's just us or with our son. When I have a day off and tell him I need a few hours alone, he knows I mean it. If I want to go out I make sure it's okay for him to have our son alone, but generally it is; and if he wants to go out he does the same - we don't keep track or keep score. We let each other have our stress relief away from each other if necessary and we're much more relaxed when we come together.
He didn't have a good idea of what I did initially, so he sat in a lot of shows that I SM'd; and he feels free to ask me as many questions as he wants. Sometimes I have to remember that he's on the outside, since some of the questions can be odd. But he makes a point to have an interest, and there have been moments where he realized, after seeing the finished product, that my job IS complicated, that no I wasn't exaggerating when I said 550+ cues in an hour-ten mins was quite a bit for a children's theatre production and it IS hard work that requires a lot of hours. That doesn't mean that he appreciates all of them - I have heard him snore through at least one production (though I couldn't blame him, it was a snooze).
The funniest moment was after we saw a friend's tour of "Miss Saigon" and we stopped for drinks at the hotel lobby where my friend was staying - and the entire cast and crew filed in, some of them stopping by to introduce themselves. My husband stopped talking and his eyes got big. When I asked him why, he said, "It's just...weird. I just saw them onstage and here they are - normal people."
Now that we have a three year old and my husband's gone back to school, our roles have changed, and he's done an amazing job. Now that I'm regular hours for the moment, he takes care of most things that I took care of when he was working and I didn't have a job. Gender roles had to be switched, and luckily he didn't have the famous 'Southern man's pride' when it came to cleaning the house while his wife is at the office. We're a team and we make it work.
I tell you all that to tell you that if you're looking for a serious relationship, make sure you can communicate without escalating into huge fights, maturity and understanding from your significant other is important, and always keep in the back of your mind that they may not understand why you're doing what you're doing, so you may have to go out of your way to show them - and don't forget to do the same thing for them. My husband still tries to talk baseball with me (no hope there) but I've gone from "What does a running back do?" to explaining the downfall of the Carolina Panthers after their 2003 Super Bowl loss. Yeah, a LOT of give and take!
350
Employment / Re: Websites
« on: Apr 15, 2011, 01:17 pm »I have found that a website isn't really useful for being searched or getting a random job.
I have a website via Tripod that used to get all my traffic, until I began using LinkedIn.com. In my email tag I have my phone number, email address, website and LinkedIn profile link and of all of those nearly 95% of my requests/referrals go to my LinkedIn profile page. They'll also tell you (depending on your account) who has looked at your page and from what company. Extremely useful!
351
Tools of the Trade / Re: PROPS: Prop Oil
« on: Apr 13, 2011, 06:40 pm »Hello there theatre folk.
I am developing a clown show where I want to try to drink something that looks like oil. I would use molasses because it's the perfect consistency and colour but -ewww- I tried one sip and nearly had a sugar induced seizure. How can I make a thick, gooey brown substance that I can drink by the mouthful.
thanks
ac
I haven't tried this, but it might be worth a shot: chocolate syrup and Karo?
352
Employment / Re: To Break or Not to Break
« on: Apr 13, 2011, 01:05 pm »I think you always, always, always have to look forward, and make the best decision based upon the knowledge you have, but also remember that that you are a business, and what is the smart BUSINESS move for you . . . sometimes, heck, a lot of time, I think there is way too much emotion involved in some of these choices . . . and I have to admit the impending conflicting contracts I have coming up does not only have some career issues, but does have some emotional issues tied up on.
I have to admit, one of the hardest part of freelancing is the "kid in the candy store" mentality - trying to do it all - and having to breathe and realize, there will be other shows - and no one person can do every show.
But, you have to think of what is best for you, what is best for your business model, what is best for your reputation - and I do know a lot of this has to do with where you are in your career . . . some people can step away from a show and find three more easily, where if you are earlier in your career - it might not be as smart a choice.
Sounds like you already know what to do in your own situation
Good topic!
353
The Green Room / How to recover from mistakes
« on: Apr 11, 2011, 11:00 am »
We've all been there - you screw up, REALLY bad, and while it's easier to tell others that they're human and they're allowed mistakes now and then, it feels different when you're the one that made the mistake. And if you're anything like me, you re-live it over and over and make it especially hard to get past for a day or so - or longer, depending on just how badly I screwed up!
For me it happened a few weeks ago. I got distracted after a performance - we had visitors backstage and I had a meeting to get to directly afterwards. I forgot to do something very basic, yet extremely necessary. Believe me, without going into what it was, it was big. Not only that, but the person that caught my mistake was absolutely the last person - honestly - I'd want to see witness it. To say I was mortified is an understatement - it was a rookie mistake, yet I made it anyways. Early in my career I would have fallen apart and beat myself to a pulp (okay, I still kinda did, but much less than I would have years ago). But I made the conscious effort to stop and use the experience productively -
1. I owned my mistake. I made it, no one else was responsible and I told my supervisor as much. I've learned when you own up to it, no matter how minor or major, at least you get respect for being an adult and not trying to pass blame on someone else. It's a mark of your character, and it will be remembered in the future.
2. Recognize the steps that led to the mistake...And try like Hades never to do them again.
3. Adjust as necessary. Because of this, I had to make steps to improve my own procedures.
4. The moment you're not 'on' is when the worst mistakes happen. When you start taking something for granted, when you're thinking too many steps ahead, when you've done it a million times and think you've got it down cold...that's when big mistakes happen. Follow procedures, take nothing for granted, pretend it's the first time you've done it instead of the millionth, and stay alert.
5. Realize that, yes, everyone is human and makes mistakes. Perhaps the hardest lesson of all, since we expect so much of ourselves. The hardest part is having to let it go and move on without dwelling for too long - there's work to do and it's hard to move forward if you're looking back.
Anyone else willing to share wisdom gained from royally screwing up?
For me it happened a few weeks ago. I got distracted after a performance - we had visitors backstage and I had a meeting to get to directly afterwards. I forgot to do something very basic, yet extremely necessary. Believe me, without going into what it was, it was big. Not only that, but the person that caught my mistake was absolutely the last person - honestly - I'd want to see witness it. To say I was mortified is an understatement - it was a rookie mistake, yet I made it anyways. Early in my career I would have fallen apart and beat myself to a pulp (okay, I still kinda did, but much less than I would have years ago). But I made the conscious effort to stop and use the experience productively -
1. I owned my mistake. I made it, no one else was responsible and I told my supervisor as much. I've learned when you own up to it, no matter how minor or major, at least you get respect for being an adult and not trying to pass blame on someone else. It's a mark of your character, and it will be remembered in the future.
2. Recognize the steps that led to the mistake...And try like Hades never to do them again.
3. Adjust as necessary. Because of this, I had to make steps to improve my own procedures.
4. The moment you're not 'on' is when the worst mistakes happen. When you start taking something for granted, when you're thinking too many steps ahead, when you've done it a million times and think you've got it down cold...that's when big mistakes happen. Follow procedures, take nothing for granted, pretend it's the first time you've done it instead of the millionth, and stay alert.
5. Realize that, yes, everyone is human and makes mistakes. Perhaps the hardest lesson of all, since we expect so much of ourselves. The hardest part is having to let it go and move on without dwelling for too long - there's work to do and it's hard to move forward if you're looking back.
Anyone else willing to share wisdom gained from royally screwing up?
354
The Green Room / Re: Facebook Settings
« on: Apr 11, 2011, 10:10 am »And Dallas - actually, if you untag yourself in a photo you're not able to be tagged again in that same photo, which is nice.
Very good to know, thanks! And I agree, FB has made great strides in making privacy settings customizable. Too bad most people don't take the time to learn how to use them.
355
The Green Room / Re: Facebook Settings
« on: Apr 11, 2011, 08:22 am »
To the general topic of "Things the Facebook generation doesn't think about until they interview for a job", I'll add: never add your boss as a friend, don't talk about work in your status updates - even generalities aren't general enough - and watch what pictures are posted!
On a side note, always Google yourself every few months, just to see what comes up. Your employer probably does it, and I know every time I'm about to work with someone new, I Google them. It's just that kind of age we live in now. Don't ignore it, take advantage of it.
Matthew - asking some people to step away from Facebook is asking them to stop breathing. Some of them just can't do it.
Jessie_K - you can always un-tag yourself in pictures, but nothing's to say you won't be tagged again.
On a side note, always Google yourself every few months, just to see what comes up. Your employer probably does it, and I know every time I'm about to work with someone new, I Google them. It's just that kind of age we live in now. Don't ignore it, take advantage of it.
Matthew - asking some people to step away from Facebook is asking them to stop breathing. Some of them just can't do it.
Jessie_K - you can always un-tag yourself in pictures, but nothing's to say you won't be tagged again.
356
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: RUNNING: No stage manager?
« on: Apr 07, 2011, 03:27 pm »
It isn't just community theatres - a friend of mine who is often the LD for an opera company often complains of a lack of stage management. Apparently to cut corners they don't hire ANY stage management, for rehearsals or performances. I'm not sure how they get around the union issue - if there is one - but it frustrates him that he can't go to one person for information...often times he has to go through two or three people to get a question answered.
Like they said, you can get along without one, but it makes life SO much easier with one!
Like they said, you can get along without one, but it makes life SO much easier with one!
357
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Unpaid Interns, Complicit Colleges
« on: Apr 03, 2011, 09:20 pm »
No link!
358
The Green Room / Re: Best one-liner from a performance report
« on: Apr 02, 2011, 06:32 pm »
For a Holocaust play with VERY graphic images of hangings and corpses, as well as derogatory references and general Nazi-ness:
"Five year old in the audience. Mother warned by box office and house management of graphic content and 10+ age recommendation. She consented...so we're covered in case she wants to sue us for future therapy bills."
"Five year old in the audience. Mother warned by box office and house management of graphic content and 10+ age recommendation. She consented...so we're covered in case she wants to sue us for future therapy bills."
359
The Green Room / Re: How to Steal Like an Artist
« on: Mar 31, 2011, 04:35 pm »
Just read it this morning, very good article and highly recommended!
360
Stage Management: Other / Re: Transitioning from theatre to opera
« on: Mar 14, 2011, 09:45 am »Something that I don't think has been brought up here before:
Often in opera, instead of building every show from scratch like many regional theatre companies do, they will rent a previous production from another company. So, if you are doing Rigoletto, you may be renting XYZ Opera's production of Rigoletto. This can mean that you are
1) remounting it completely, with the original director (or their AD) directing the show again
2) using the costumes and sets from the first production, but with a new director and new staging
3) other combinations- sets from one company, but new costumes, or costumes from a different company
Opera companies will sometimes split the cost of a new production- company A will build the sets, company B the costumes, or some combination, and after it's done playing at company A it will travel to company B, and then on to other companies who will rent the production after that. A new production is incredibly expensive, and renting it out to other operas will help recoup some of the costs.
If you're renting a production from another company, you can glean a lot of information from the paperwork of the old production. Running lists, prop lists, costume plots, etc can all be included. Your production may obviously vary and the paperwork will have to be redone, but it can be a real asset during prep week to have this information, particularly for a remount.
All of this has been on my mind lately as we prepare a new production, knowing that our paperwork will be going on to many other venues after this production closes.
And I see Maribeth that you're doing Turandot, my favorite opera thus far. Can you feel my jealousy?
