Messages

406

Employment / Re: What if you can't find a stage management job?

« on: Mar 08, 2010, 10:06 am »

4)   Look at how you are marketing yourself? 
a.   Is resume to generic?  I find a lot of young stage managers throw every single theatre thing they have ever done on their resumes (painted a set, observe a show, worked box office).  In this age of computers, your should be able to customize your resume for the job your applying.  And, at some point in your career you are going to want a “stage management” only resume.  When I am looking for an AEA stage manager, when I see too much “other experience” it reads to me like they don’t have faith in their skills as a stage manager, or, that they professionally lack focus.

Is the "other experience" (sound, lights, acting, directing, etc...) a positive thing for a stage manager to have experience in? We have to deal with those fields as stage managers. I'd think showing concrete examples of those specialties is better than having a stage management resume that is half empty. Or should the typeface simply be made larger or the resume style edited to compensate? What is the point in a career that we only list stage management experience?

I've had them listed under "relevant skills" on my resume (though as my resume gets more defined, I'm thinking of cutting them out). Things like spotlight op, former light/sound installer, etc. I've had people comment on it in interviews because they ARE skills that can help if something goes wrong during a production and you're the only one there to deal with it.

407

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

« on: Mar 03, 2010, 07:41 pm »

Aha- one from last night:

Accident/Injury- [Actress] was poked in the eye by [Actor]'s nose from an overenthusiastic kiss. [Actor] said he would be less lustful next time.

408

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: What's the most controversial show you've ever worked on?

« on: Feb 26, 2010, 10:45 am »

Two come to mind. Once, I did Cabaret in a very small, rather conservative town. We'd often get walkouts, especially during "Two Ladies."

Another controversial show, though in a different way, was Lizzie Borden. She was acquitted, but our show (very blatantly) took the position that she did it. Evidently, there are LOTS of hardcore Lizzie fans, and many were VERY upset that we let her take the blame! Our writers and producers would get letters and emails about it. It was sort of a surprise for all of us.

409

Tools of the Trade / Re: Bubble Machines

« on: Feb 24, 2010, 11:38 pm »

Seconding Slip NoMor. Used it when I was working with a lot of stage blood that had to be cleaned at intermission- it was very helpful.

410

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: When to take the blame

« on: Feb 22, 2010, 11:22 am »

If it was something I delegated or oversaw, it's my problem. For the show I'm doing currently (and other shows I have done at this theater), actors are doing a lot of the scene changes, setting their own props, etc, but all under my direction. I've found it helpful to make a very detailed list of which actors are handling what, down to what piece of furniture when. Then, for example, when something gets left onstage after a scene change, everyone involved knows who was supposed to handle it, or if it wasn't delegated (not on the list).

411

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How to encourage actors to show up?

« on: Feb 18, 2010, 10:39 am »

Do you start rehearsal without the late folks? Or wait for them? I've found starting right on time, without missing folks, can sometimes help people realize that the show will go on, with or without them, so they should keep up.

412

The Green Room / Re: Best bit of advice from a Stage Managment book

« on: Feb 16, 2010, 03:46 pm »

tempest_gypsy, I have that book too!

I love David Mamet's books on theater and film...this quote from Three Uses of the Knife I like because it's about making mistakes:

We live in an extraordinarily debauched, savage world, where things don't really come out even. The purpose of [theater] is to remind us of that.

There was also a sign in the shop at a theater I worked in:

Remember: our best work and our worst both end up in the dumpster in the end.

413

Uploaded Forms / Re: Line Notes (for going "off book")

« on: Feb 13, 2010, 08:08 pm »

I don't use paperwork because I'd have a lot of papers to shuffle through! Instead, I've taken to using post-it notes. 1 per scene per actor. Makes it easy for them to stick into their scripts. Also, they're small, so when they get fewer post-its they get really excited.

414

The Green Room / Re: Thread to vent about / Actors behaving badly / As haiku only

« on: Feb 11, 2010, 11:15 am »

Theater has mice!
Not like Cinderella's friends-
they won't build our set.

You keep calling line.
Maybe YOU should be on book
and I'LL be onstage.

Never thought I'd say
to an actor over 10-
"Please don't lick the props."

415

The Green Room / Re: Healthy eating as a SM

« on: Feb 07, 2010, 06:47 pm »

I second using the crock pot! I got one a month ago and it's been a lifesaver.

Some things I've picked up while trying to stay healthy on the run:

+Buy a water bottle. I have one of those crazy indestructable Siggs. Keep hydrated.
+I cook for 4 for myself, then Tupperware the rest for rehearsals. Things like hamburger patties, chili or or chicken salad are cheap and quick to make, and can keep for a while.
+If you can, keep a few things at the theater. I've left things like veggies and hummus or lite popcorn there for when I just want a snack.

416

The Hardline / Re: Excluded from Opening Night Tickets

« on: Feb 05, 2010, 03:57 pm »

But, per the contract it doesn't say to opening, it's during the run - so, although it's rotten to say you can't use them to opening . . . it seems to be within the rules.

But opening IS within the run. Also, the tickets are "subject to availability," and clearly they're available or they wouldn't have offered them to the actors. Right?

417

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: Taking the house back against your HM's will

« on: Feb 04, 2010, 11:49 pm »

Have you talked with your HM about a late-seating moment? We start typically 5mins after, but I always give the HM a time when they can let in late seating (during a scene change, when an entrance is cleared, etc). Seems to help get the show going and still get everyone seated.

418

Tools of the Trade / Re: Prop: Drugs on stage

« on: Feb 04, 2010, 05:20 pm »

I would NOT recommend sugar, esp granulated sugar. It can get sticky, clog noses, etc. Nothing incredibly damaging, but definitely uncomfortable and obnoxious onstage. Not to mention a quick sugar buzz! I was recommended powdered baby formula because it dissolves easily and won't gunk up your actors' noses...I have also heard that vitamin b powder works well.

419

Tools of the Trade / Re: Prop: Drugs on stage

« on: Feb 03, 2010, 09:41 pm »

I did Fifth of July recently, which has an awful lot of drug use. We ended up using herbal cigarettes that we emptied and re-rolled for pot, and powdered baby formula for cocaine. Neither are going to severely harm your actors or impede their performance.

420

The Green Room / Is Broadway/West End/etc your ultimate goal?

« on: Feb 03, 2010, 08:06 pm »

I've always said that getting to Broadway isn't my end goal. If I can make a life out of stage managing, I don't care where I'm doing it. I happen to be in NYC, and obviously if the opportunity came along I would jump at it, but it's not my end-all-be-all. I mentioned this to an actress friend who was shocked, "because isn't Broadway the biggest you can go [in the US], so why not go for it?"

I notice a lot of posts here about how to get to Broadway (or West End, or..well, I'm not sure of other equivalents in other countries)...is this your goal? Why or why not?