Messages

421

The Hardline / Re: Actors/Directors: Taking Photos in Rehearsal-A Disturbing Trend...or Not...?

« on: Aug 06, 2013, 09:00 pm »

Good question . . .

I think the answer is yes and no.

Quite simply, if someone was to start to take pictures without notification, and the producers allowed it , then yes.  If someone stepped in and stated, "Hey, you can't take photos without notification . .. ", and then continued . . . then, then really it's that person's fault.

For example, it's the producers' job to notify the audience not to take photos, via an announcement, program or signage . . . but is the producer really held accountable f the photos are taken still?

422

The Hardline / Re: Theatres That Have Closed--Can You Say "Emergency?"

« on: Aug 03, 2013, 12:00 pm »

Theater of the Stars in Atlanta . . .

"UPDATE: It is with much regret that Theater of the Stars announces that the 2013-14 season has been canceled in full. The company's financial position has forced the organization to cancel Disney's The Little Mermaid and Cats, in what was to be their 61st season. After exhausting every avenue possible to present this season, the continued effects of a slow economy and the financial results of last years' season precludes the organization from having the resources to mount the current season's productions. Information is forthcoming as the Staff and Board of Directors are working hard to determine next steps."

http://www.theaterofthestars.com/index.aspx

423

Employment / Re: Listing a remount on your resume?

« on: Jul 26, 2013, 07:45 am »

I don't normally do years, but do it for remounts . . .


Hamlet
Christmas Carol (03)
Midsummer Night's Dream
Christmas Carol (02)

Another option might just be simple

Name of Show (remount)

(I am doing something similar for handling a transfer . . . )

Name of Show   PSM   Director     Name of Theatre (transferred from )

424

The Green Room / Re: Is Provided Housing a Taxable Benefit?

« on: Jul 25, 2013, 02:34 pm »

never, in the (mumbles a number) years I have been working have I had housing listed as part of the income . . . .

425

The Green Room / Re: Is Provided Housing a Taxable Benefit?

« on: Jul 25, 2013, 11:53 am »

Now . . . tangentially, and this could make me rethink tax situation.

AEA Stage Manager
Working out of town is housed, but still paying rent back home.

I don't need to pay taxes on the fair market rent of the company housing I am being put in, correct?

426

The Hardline / Re: Half Hour Call

« on: Jul 25, 2013, 12:55 am »

I think it's a sense of entitlement . . . because most actors get dressed in the last five minutes . . . it's just a longer break.

I recently worked at a theater where it was the in-house policy that each tech session have a half-hour call (it drove me nuts) - but later learned it was because many of the actors in the in-house company also taught at the local college, and this was often their only break for the day.

As we approach tech, I often will talk to the cast and explain my position on the half-hour call - but often it's just hard to fight the cast if they are expecting that every time they step on stage . . . so, I used it to dry tech ahead, or review scene changes, or work with other designers - sometimes it not worth the fight.

Again, half-hour is "work time", and should be scheduled for the producer's benefit . . . if it only takes 15 minutes to put on your wig and costume, let's start 15 minutes into the call on stage.

427

Employment / Re: Thousands in back taxes ride on one question:

« on: Jul 23, 2013, 12:38 pm »

Or a performance artist.

Love that.

I going to cry foul on the article author who puts a slant like the big, bag government is coming after the artist . . .

428

The Green Room / VENT: The trouble with spouses, pets and couches

« on: Jul 22, 2013, 11:40 pm »

So, twice in as many weeks, I have been offered a really cool job, that indeed would involve relocation . . .

But the problem is, I am a very expensive person to relocate - I have a lease that would need to be paid off, an husband to move, and a dog . . . not to mention my couch (my sad, sad Ikea couch).  All the physical things can be stored, especially when taking a long term international gig, but I sort of need my family.

It's complicated, as you get older, and want a nice couch (mind you my couch is not nice), and a family, but it does complicate the career a bit. 

I am finding that I am needing to focus my career geographically (lucky I am based in NYC, so there is some theatre there - and within 4 hours of NYC - there is a lot of theatre), but I am finding that other options I am having to turn down because the cost of relocation prices me out of the line item for stage management. 

It's something to consider - me and my husband have made the decision, that after 11 months on the road out of 13, it would be better I be unemployed a bit and at home then work someplace that requires a 16 hour flight, and a visit.

I am just interested in the married / attached stage managers what sort of conversations and rules have you set up.

(BTW - my husband has been truly supportive of me, following me from Dallas to DC to NYC, and allowing me to work all over the world . . . it's just now, and funny how this works after 12 years of being together . . . we just sort of like being together more then I like doing cool jobs far, far away.  He is one of the best stage manager spouses on the planet . . . which leads me to believe maybe we should form a sub-board so SOOSMS (Significant Others Of Stage Managers) . . . with great topics like "How to be supportive during a 10/12?", "What things to say to the unemployed stage manager?", "Why don't I ever see my Spouse anymore?")

In the end, there I times I wish I was 25 years old, single, and able to move to with a quick jump on a plane . . . but there are parts of my life I have now . . . I can't give up.



 

429

Employment / Re: Thousands in back taxes ride on one question:

« on: Jul 22, 2013, 11:30 pm »

So, the answer for an artist, to protect them selves, it form a LLC?  Incorporate in some way that strongly identifies themselves as a business?

One of the main reasons I don't like freelancing on random gigs, or out of the norm boxes, is for a variety of tax reasons - running my own business - I do feel a greater burden falls on you to make sure you are covering your butt as far as tax laws.  This is where you hire the professional.

I think the freakish argument that comes out in the article is " . . .chief among them that de Mars took too much pleasure from her work, and didn't work hard enough to make a profit. As a result, state officials say she owes thousands of dollars in back taxes."  This really upsets me . . . because she likes her job too much?  Because she didn't work harder?  How is that gaged?

So, if, for example, a banker, REALLY LIKES BANKING . . . it's his hobby?  It has it roots in the devaluation of the arts as necessity for society.  (Again, I have NO idea of the type or quality of art in this case - I am just playing this out in my head.)

I worry that this sort of rational could be very detrimental to the arts as whole.  So, let's say . . . you are a young stage manager with a day job . . . and I am going to show my ignorance here . . . the day job pays a majority of your income (various odd jobs) - does this mean that you can NOT deduct expenses on your stage management experiences.  There are shows in NYC which might pay 300.00, but I may have costs of 350.00 to do the job properly - and the job is not taken for income as the sole reason, but because of potential future life.  Is one unable to declare those expense because I enjoyed the job too much?    Is someone going to come in my tech rehearsal and measure my enjoyment?  (If so, I am going to act VERY miserable in tech as to not lose my tax standing). 

I know the answer is to consult a tax professional, but at the end of the day, this is not the situation I am in personally. 

But there are those Stage Managers who LOVE doing kooky, off-off-Broadway shows, and may not make a huge amount of money, and love their job, but with deductions and so forth, may be able to live off 20,000 a year (like the case in this article here).

Again, I don't think the article has the whole story . . . and I feel like we may have caught the overly dramatic side - and I would be interested to learn more.

But if their chief argument is "she enjoyed it too much" - then I think we have a right to upset.

The article goes about the tax law been loose and open to interpretation, but it is about intent - was there intent to make a profit - and I think that's where this case may fall apart a bit . . . that's a difficult one to prove.  If you are a passive artist . . . then I think you will be on shaking ground . . . you need to show marketing, business plans, etc, etc, etc . . . and that is not clear how much of that was presented . . .

In the end, I think the moral of this story, and we as stage managers are often in a different boat then other artists, is treat your career like the business it is . . . keep great records (I know I could do better).

430

Employment / Re: Thousands in back taxes ride on one question:

« on: Jul 22, 2013, 07:23 am »

I think there maybe other issues afoot - such as an attacks on the arts in general - or something due to the fact "she" is not a "she" - I feel like this article may not have all the details.

There are years where I made a negative income after I take all my deductions - it happens.

431

Employment / Re: Thousands in back taxes ride on one question:

« on: Jul 21, 2013, 10:32 pm »

No, there are business that operate in the red for years before they become profitable, and it's still a business - and no one would bat an eye at that.

432

The Green Room / Re: Dealing with Thank You Notes

« on: Jul 17, 2013, 08:10 am »

simply "happy opening" is enough.

433

Introductions / Re: Howdy from Texas!

« on: Jul 15, 2013, 06:49 am »

I lived for three years in Dallas, Texas . . . loved it . . . found the love of my life in Dallas, and took them along with me.

434

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: What am I getting myself into?

« on: Jul 15, 2013, 02:32 am »

I’ve tried several times to answer this post . . .

First, you are a junior in high school . . . let me state something that may not be obvious to you right now . . .  the job you are doing know as a stage manager is different then the job you will do in college and different then the job you will do early in your career and then the job when you get to the stride of your career.  You will gain more responsibilities, require new skill sets, be under more pressure.  I am hesitant for anyone to plan an entire career path as a high school junior.  The advice I want you to hold on to is don’t let the “Love” of something get in the way of being open to other opportunities that may present itself to you.

There are too many people who hold on to the dream of this business too long, long beyond where they need to find another option for themselves.  You have to be a shrewd business person – because in reality – being a freelance stage manager is truly running your own business.  How long do you run a business at a loss?  How much do you invest in yourself for the amount of possible payback?  When is the amount of time, energy and life resources you put into this work not worth the return on that investment. 

Better you start by putting together you dream life.  What do you want out of life?  Rather then pick a career and try to figure out what sort of life you will get based on that.  I speak from being at a point knowing what I know now, I doubt I would have pursued stage management as a career.  I am good at my job, and I feel I am a success – and have a bright future to come here at the midpoint of my career.  But the things that I have had to give up – my first marriage (and thus the ability to be with my son as he grew up), friendships with people in the same city as me - missed funerals, weddings - a sense of stability - an life with out anxiety about my future – stability.   I am very lucky to have a loving, caring, considerate partner, but this year, I have been away from home 10 out of 12 months.  This is not the life I was hoping for being away from the person I love.  But, it’s the career that has been dealt to me.  I wish perhaps to be more in control and could be more stable – while still get the challenges and adventures.

But, now I am in my 40’s and I really can’t do anything different . . .  and sustain the life-style I want . . .

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy many aspects of my job, but at the end of the day, it’s a job like every other job.  Like an accountant.  Like an barista.  I have good days and bad days.  And the “LOVE” of it, helps during the bad days, but it doesn’t sustain a career. 

But, above all, I can't give you anything but this most generic advice . . . I don't know you, I don't what skill sets you have, you odds of making it in this business, the amount of education and time and money you are interested in investing in yourself, and what you find important in life.

If this is the path you choose, best of luck to you.  It's a hard path, but has many inherent rewards in the career. 

435

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Double casting

« on: Jul 12, 2013, 12:48 pm »

I have done double casting for kids all the time.

I have had unique situations where a star was hired with some significant conflicts, and we hired a true cover (not just an understudy) - but this principal never wanted the cover in rehearsal - so we did double room rehearsals . . . where we would call the cover in for a "shortened" rehearsal time with the rest of the cast to have him ready.  Then the first two day of US rehearsal was dedicated to him and him alone with the rest of the cast, before we moved on to the rest of the understudies.