Messages

46

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Two shows at once?

« on: Nov 04, 2006, 07:00 pm »

I actually just had this issue.

I Stage Managed Footloose back in May for a very respectable theatre company downtown.  After the show closed, I was offered to Stage Manage the opener for the next season, Cats, as well as possibly the whole season.  I was ecstatic and couldn't refuse this kind of opportunity, especially with the reputation of this company and the wonderful people I would get to work with.

However, at my university I am the only Stage Manager.  I have always Stage Managed shows for one specific director, and she assumed that I was doing her show in the fall.  It just so happened that the two shows, hers and Cats, were pretty much at the exact same time.

I really struggled with my decision, but ultimately I talked to the director at my university and explained the opportunity to her.  I was open, honest and direct, and she really appreciated it.   She understood and encouraged me to take Cats (which I am SO thankful for by the way) and I came out on top. 

Unlike me, you have the luxury of doing both shows.  I think that I would drive myself a little crazy if I tried to do two shows at once with everything else that I have to do.  It's not necessarily unprofessional; however, you really need to decide if you can handle both shows and dedicate adequate attention to both.  If not, then it will stress you out and you won't do your best.  The musical is a great idea; however, make sure that you are able to commit to both equally.  Also, make sure that the directors know that you are doing two shows.  It would be unfair to them if you were not completely honest about your situation.  Just as long as you are open and honest to other people and to yourself and feel like you can take on both shows in their entirety, then go for it!  If not, then think about the choices and do what is best for you.

47

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Little help please...

« on: Oct 20, 2006, 07:49 am »

If you look through this board, there are several posts regarding colleges and universities.  Look around and you'll find a lot of input from a variety of different sources.  Best of Luck. 

48

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: I'm looking for advice

« on: Oct 20, 2006, 07:49 am »

Its hard sometimes to be a good stage manager with so many conflicts and issues.  I've had the same problem before where people dont show up or have some sort of issue.. I think we all have.  What gets me out of this situation is preparation.  At the first rehearsal, I go ahead and hand everything out to the cast and production team, such as contact lists, calendars, conflict sheet, etc.  I then stress that there will be no surprise conflicts and I tell them what I expect from them throughout the rehearsal process.  Be firm on this.  It will make them respect you more throughout rehearsals, and the cast will realize that they can't play around and get away with it.  Since you are already in rehearsals, I would say to hold a small meeting either before a rehearsal or after the rehearsal while the director is giving notes.  Just let them know that there have been issues and you would like them to keep in mind that if any issues arise, they need to contact you and let you know first so that you can handle it.  Stress the importance of the show and how you need everyone to work together to make the show a success.  Don't be mean, but just be firm and let them know that you expect more.  This has helped me bring a cast and production team together before, so maybe it will help.

I'm sure you are a great stage manager, so don't think that you aren't doing a great job. Of course there are things that we all must learn how to deal with. Problems like this arise, and if you handle it gently, then everything will be just fine.  Best of Luck =)

49

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How much time are you there?

« on: Oct 20, 2006, 07:44 am »

I think it varies depending on the show.

I usually have anywhere from 10-40 hours of rehearsal a week, and then I work on rehearsal reports and all SM stuff outside of the show.  Of course when Tech Week comes, it's possible to work 50+hours a week.  I just finished Cats where I worked approximately 45 hours for 10 weeks.  Now I'm starting a straight play which only rehearses 10 hours a week, 20 during tech week.  It all depends on the show.. and of course your dedication as well. 

50

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Book and Tabs

« on: Oct 09, 2006, 08:42 pm »

I use tabs for my book, and then I also have 2 separate spiral notebooks.  One notebook is for rehearsal notes for the rehearsal reports (organzied by date), and the other is for any blocking/staging notes that I want to put separately.  For example, I am finishing up my run of CATS, and there was too much staging in this show to put in the script.  Therefore, I organized a notebook (by song/dance number) and mapped out all the blocking with corresponding numbers and measures from the script.

My Tabs: (for a musical - it varies with a straight play)
Cast List
Cast Contact Information
Cast Conflicts
Cast Health Information and Audition Forms
Rehearsal Schedule
Production Calendar
Production Team Contact and Info
Music
Song/Character Breakdown
Act 1 Blocking Script
Act 2 Blocking Script
Lighting Design Info
Scenic Design Info
Sound Design Info
Costume Design Info
Publicity
Props
Pre-Show Checklist
Act 1 Prompt Script
Act 2 Prompt Script
Post-Show Checklist
Rehearsal Reports
Production Meeting Reports
Performance Reports
Sign-In Sheets
Correspondence (all emails/communication from the show)
Thalian Hall Rules/Information/Posts (the theatre co. I work for)
Crew Information
Run Sheets
Flow Sheets
Miscellaneous

51

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: hey, need a bit of help

« on: Oct 09, 2006, 08:38 pm »

I think of a Stage Manager as the backbone of the production.  They make sure that everything is taken care of and everyone is doing their job.  You could ask "What does a Stage Manager do?" or "What are the responsibilites of a Stage Manager?" to 100 people and get 100 different answers.  All of the previous posts are absolutely correct.  The one thing that you need to remember is that Communication is Key!  Communicate with everyone, and make sure that everyone is on the same page, from the Director, Cast, Crew, and the Designers.  Go through the posts on the site.  There are several regarding the responsibilities and expectations of a Stage Manager.  The most important: talk to your director and make sure that you know what you need to be doing and how you need to be doing it.  They should be more than happy to assist you and make sure that you are understanding the duties of an SM.

52

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Offering jobs, casting, sharing info

« on: Oct 09, 2006, 08:34 pm »

This is definitely not your fault!  I'm just amazed that no one had his contact information.  Obviously he had done some kind of previous work with someone because they know that he would fit the part.  It's not your responsibility to magically produce contact information for someone you don't even know.  But at least you handled it well and you got through it, right? Kudos to you!

53

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: ASMs vs SMs

« on: Oct 09, 2006, 08:30 pm »

My problem is that I love to do everything myself.  It's a blessing and a curse.  I am just one of those people who prefers to do everything on my own (no matter how crazy I drive myself) to ensure that it gets done correctly. I know, I know.  You can't do everything on your own.  And I do know that!  But I have definitely realized over the past couple of shows how valuable it is to have a right-hand woman or man.  An ASM is just that, an Assistant. They are there to help you when you need it.  I choose to delegate certain jobs to my ASM, and then expect them to just assist me in whatever I need to do to make sure that everything is taken care of.  I personally use my ASM the most during Tech Week and the run of the show, because I am so meticulous about blocking/staging notes and rehearsal reports.  I usually make a checklist of what I need the ASM to do for me that I can't get done, and then use them for other things that I need help with.  The jobs of my ASM all depend on the show.  Sometimes they will be working with props, scene shifts/changes, costume changes, etc., and other times they may be doing other things like sweeping and mopping the floor.  It all depends on what you want to do and what you expect them to do.  Just like a SM should go to their Director or TD for their specific duties, an ASM should report to the SM to make sure that they are doing everything the SM needs them to do.

54

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: First time Sming

« on: Oct 09, 2006, 08:24 pm »

It's hard being thrown into things, isn't it?

I am just going to re-state what everyone else has said thus far.  It is of the utmost importance that you talk to the Director or TD and find out what they want from you.  It is the worst feeling in the world when your Director expects you to do something and you don't do it because you didn't know.  It is their responsibility to tell you what they expect from you.  Of course there are some things that should be done automatically, like taking blocking notes, checking attendance, etc.; however, you should always double check to make sure that you are doing everything you need to be doing.

Best of Luck!  Sometimes it's hard to just go into something that you aren't sure about... but I'm sure you'll do just fine.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Working with a new Director?!?!

« on: Sep 20, 2006, 12:20 am »

The most important thing, in my opinion, is to find out what the director wants from you.  You are going to work with a variety of directors in your career, all with different styles and expectations.  Introduce yourself and talk to them about what their expectations are of you as a Stage Manager.  Find out how they run rehearsals, what they expect you to do during rehearsals, etc.  Work hard and show that you are willing to adapt to their style.  However, do not be afraid to incorporate your own style as a SM.  One of my highest praises (from a well-known director who has worked with a million professional SMs) was that he loved the fact that I took charge and did things without him even having to ask me for it.  If he needed a character breakdown, or an extra copy of the rehearsal schedule, or whatever it was, I had it there ready for him.  Take initiative and really push yourself to do well.  They will greatly appreciate having a SM who gets their job done without having to be told exactly what to do.  But definitely get in there and talk to them ASAP about what their job expectations are.  In time, you will establish a great relationship and hopefully you two will want to work together again.

56

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Grad Schools

« on: Sep 20, 2006, 12:12 am »

There are several different threads in this forum about this very same topic.  I would advise you to look around and search for that information because there is a lot of talk about a variety of programs and schools spread out over a variety of threads and forums.  Just look around here and you'll find lots of information!

57

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Production Analysis Question

« on: Sep 20, 2006, 12:10 am »

I have a Script Notes sheet that I use for every page of my blocking script that lists all blocking, costumes, and props.  What I do is list the prop on the pages that it is used, then indicate that it is also used in another scene or on another page.  I then make a comprehensive props list with all the props in the show, ad then make another props list/breakdown which is broken down by Act/Scene and who carries it on and offstage.  For the breakdown, I do list a single prop multiple times by scene.  Someone new could be bringing the prop on or off in a different scene, and you must indicate those changes.  Therefore, it is helpful to have down every time it is used so that you can indicate these types of things in a breakdown.  If you are just making a comprehensive props list for all the props in the show, then listing it just one time is sufficient.

58

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: director's power

« on: Sep 20, 2006, 12:06 am »

It's a very difficult situation because as someone else stated, things are a lot different in University theatre.  Most of the directors are also professors, and you have to worry about your grades and status in the deparment while also trying to get your job done as a Stage Manager of a production.  Unfortunately,  college professors/directors sometimes do not take a very professional approach and just do things the way they want regardless of how the designers feel (even when the Stage Manager does say something).  Although there is no kind of rule about this type of problem, I would be cautious in the future about letting these types of things take place.  As we all know, the SM takes the heat for everything, and you want to cover yourself as well as the other artists working on the production.  I'm very lucky in the fact that I have a great relationship with all of the professors that I've Stage Managed for, both inside and outside of rehearsals and classes.  Therefore, I would have approached the Director and told them how I felt about the situation, and would have reminded them that this is academic theatre and they should be preparing us for the professional world.  These types of actions do not demonstrate professionalism.  If you don't really have a relationship with the Director then I would be careful, but next time I would at least let them know that it is a situation that you felt uncomfortable with as a SM.  It's all about communication, so make sure that you communicate how you feel about the production and your job at all times. 

59

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Equity Courses

« on: Sep 19, 2006, 11:57 pm »

My University tried a SM course for only one semester and I couldn't take it due to scheduling issues.  However, I have learned a lot about Equity rules on my own time by really looking at the information on the website.  I am currently working non-AEA professionally, and have also learned a lot about equity rules through the people around me.  I really think that you can learn a lot on your own by research and talking to the people around you who may be Equity or be familiar with the rules...although it would have been nice to have a class where that's all you learn about for a specific amount of time.

60

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Grad School vs Experience

« on: Sep 17, 2006, 08:38 pm »

I'm also struggling with whether to go to grad school or go out professionally.  I have been blessed to work with someone who is going to help me get my foot in the door after I graduate, so I think that I may go that route.  It's a really hard decision, but you have to figure out whats best for you. I've also been told by several people in the professional world that you go to grad school for connections.  If you have those connections without havin to go to grad school, why spend another three years in school?  I do believe that it is a valid argument.  However, having a higher degree may be more effective when it comes to getting a job. I mean... if you do to go grad school, granted you will be receiving a higher degree, but what will you be doing there? Stage Managing.. which is exactly what you would be doing professionally or as an intern.  You really just have to weigh out your options and figure out if you are ready to go out and work professionally, or if you want to spend 3 more years in school.   Best of Luck and I hope that everything works out for you either way.