Messages

361

The Green Room / Re: The Stage Manager's Nightmare

« on: May 26, 2010, 07:07 pm »

Twice that I can remember, I've dreamed that I'm sitting down to call a show I've never seen, from a book I've never opened before.  But that was years ago. I can't say that I dream about theatre or work at all, not good dreams and certainly not nightmares.

I unfortunately had this happen to me in reality once- I was asked to sub in for a show, sight unseen, and when I got there they didn't have a script for me! The director wrote out "LQ1- Santa enters" etc but I had NO IDEA when anything was happening. Kept me on my toes!

362

The Green Room / The Stage Manager's Nightmare

« on: May 26, 2010, 10:48 am »

I'm sure most of you have heard of The Actor's Nightmare by Christopher Durang- inspired by a common actor nightmare of being asked to go on and not knowing lines, the play, or being able to locate a script.


Personally, I have two recurring stage manager nightmares:

1. I come into rehearsal and the director has changed the floorplan, the set, costumes, style, etc....generally to something ridiculous, unsafe, or both. (Ex: "Now the whole show is on ROLLERSKATES! We need a track that loops around the orchestra by tomorrow!")

2. That an actor has refused to go on because they don't like me, and the director/producer is so angry that they make me go out to the streets and find someone else in his/her place.


What are your stage manager nightmares?

363

The Green Room / Re: THOUGHT OF THE DAY: What's your day job?

« on: May 17, 2010, 02:42 pm »

I've done a few jobs- teacher, promoter, retail, free sample girl, hair model, etc. Including being one of those "Do you like comedy?" people in Times Square (though that lasted a little over a week). Currently, I help do PR for a record label.

364

Employment / Re: Child Wrangling

« on: May 16, 2010, 11:29 pm »

Oh my god.  I think I'm a child wrangler.   

It's alright....I've been a child wrangler and gasp enjoyed it. Perhaps this is because I have also been a teacher?


Anyway, I've worked with many child actors at, well, different levels of professionalism but it's usually turned out fine. I think the key is patience, focus, and the ability to think like a child and keep things at their level.

365

The Green Room / Re: Metropolitan Opera SM Thomas H. Connell III Dies at 67

« on: May 16, 2010, 11:25 pm »

Great article! Especially loved how he dealt with all the mishaps. I was just at the Met the other night, marveling at how much it takes to keep a show running smoothly there...thanks for posting.

366

The Green Room / Re: Best one-liner from a performance report

« on: May 16, 2010, 11:23 pm »

Accident/Injury- [Actress] punched self in the nose during pre-show dressing room ABBA dance party. Suitably embarrassed but otherwise fine.

367

The Green Room / Re: Finish this sentence: "If all the world's a stage..."

« on: May 11, 2010, 01:09 pm »

My sister got me a shirt that says "All the world's a stage, and I'm calling all the cues."

All the world's a stage, so where's my understudy?

368

Stage Management: Other / Re: Anybody with sporting event/Olympics experience?

« on: May 08, 2010, 12:51 pm »

dewitt- Thanks. My sister is autistic, and I've always gotten involved where I could, but as I'm not sporty it's been difficult. Definitely check with your local office- I found out about the games through Special Olympics Texas.

SMrose- Wonderful. From what I understand, I'm in a run-crew-like position. Organizing teams during opening and closing ceremonies, and making sure teams get to venues/courts at the correct times with all their supplies. Is there anything major I might not be aware of? The person I'm in communication with speaks very little English, and I don't speak Italian, so while I'm working on getting more information I know things are getting "lost in translation."

369

Tools of the Trade / Re: File Totes

« on: May 06, 2010, 06:13 pm »

I use a little file carrier for extra forms, photocopies etc. I got a very cute one as a gift from http://www.knockknock.biz/ that says "I'M LIVING THE DREAM" on one side and "I'M DYING ON THE INSIDE" on the other.

(Actually, I love a lot of the Knock Knock office supplies- my other favorite being the binder clips with Important, Urgent, Trivial, Can Wait on them.)

I actually got a post-it set as a gift as well....love it.
I <3 Knock Knock! They have these post it notes that I would love so much if they weren't so expensive for so few. In fact, I would love to own the whole line except for the cost issue.

370

Stage Management: Other / Anybody with sporting event/Olympics experience?

« on: May 06, 2010, 01:50 pm »

So I just got all the details...I'll be heading to Milan for 10 days at the end of June to work with Special Olympics Italy! Special Olympics has always been my favorite cause, and I'm thrilled to be working with them. But I have NO experience with something of this size. From what I understand, a lot of my job is going to be shuttling people around, getting them organized for opening and closing ceremonies, and just keeping teams moving (I'll be dealing with tennis.) Any tips about this type of event or even working in Italy would be a great help!

371

Tools of the Trade / Re: File Totes

« on: May 06, 2010, 11:18 am »

I use a little file carrier for extra forms, photocopies etc. I got a very cute one as a gift from http://www.knockknock.biz/ that says "I'M LIVING THE DREAM" on one side and "I'M DYING ON THE INSIDE" on the other.

(Actually, I love a lot of the Knock Knock office supplies- my other favorite being the binder clips with Important, Urgent, Trivial, Can Wait on them.)

372

The Green Room / Re: Should SMNetwork ban all classroom assignments?

« on: May 04, 2010, 09:29 am »

Another forum I frequent has it set up that if you're a new member, you can't make multiple posts within 5 minutes. Keeps out spammers as well. I know next-to-nothing about how all that works, but it's a nice idea.

373

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: sharing rehearsal room- and props??

« on: May 02, 2010, 09:33 am »

I had this problem recently as well- besides using some of our props, the actors from the other show were eating our food props! Despite notes and tracking them down at the end of their rehearsal to pass it along, it was still happening. We ended up storing all props in a trunk with a combination lock.

374

Employment / Re: Promissory Note versus Contract

« on: May 01, 2010, 11:24 pm »

Congrats. That is not any easy thing to do- I've been in your position- but you ultimately made the right decision.

375

The Green Room / Re: GREENROOM: Patron Saint of Stage Managers?

« on: Apr 27, 2010, 11:12 am »

Saint Dymphna- saint of family happiness and mental health.