Messages

46

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Working with animals?

« on: Mar 12, 2009, 01:19 pm »

I did "Inherit" in college and we use a puppet that the organ grinder controlled.

Capuchins are probably the easiest monkeys to work with and train. But, they can still can inflict a nasty bite, especially if they are scared and/or frustrated. And they have a mind of their own. If they really wanted to and are desperate enough, they could kill someone. They should not be underestimated. I would definately sit down with the handler and come up with an emergency plan if the animal were to escape in the theatre. And yes, make sure you try and "monkey proof" things. Remember that these are very intelligent (and often mischievious) animals and they are stronger then you think. They can also be very vocal when they want to be.

I hope things go well and you all don't go "Bananas"!

47

Employment / Questions You Shouldn't Ask At The Initial Interview

« on: Sep 27, 2008, 02:44 pm »

I've look around the employment thread quite a bit. I'm wondering what are some questions that you shouldn't ask during an initial interview and reserve for later if you are interview again by the same prospective employer?

Thanks,
PSMAK

48

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How to deal with problem Actor's/Audience members

« on: Jul 02, 2008, 07:54 pm »

Is this high school theatre or college theatre that you are doing?

One of the most difficult things that you will encounter, is making sure the actors are staying true to the text of the script. Unless the Director is okay with minor ad-libbing in certain places, they shouldn't do it. By doing so, they are changing the words of the playwright. It is also considered copyright infringement. If something is going to be ad-libbed, write it down in your script and make sure that they are saying that particular thing each time.

As for the audience: If this is high school theatre (which it sounds like it is), this is very common. Perhaps you need to have someone post signs or make some kind of announcement for noise in the theatre. I mostly sounds like you have people viewing theatre that don't know how to view theatre, which can be a problem. You might want to discuss with your director or theatre faculty adviser about appointing a house manager that could talk to audience members about disrupting the show.

49

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: large scale musical --1st time

« on: Jun 20, 2008, 06:56 pm »

Do you have scenic changes? Do you have costume changes? If so, it is a good idea to track all of these areas. You can find forms for these in the forms forum. It is also a good idea to track the props (form in forum area) besides the props list. Chances are your props will move all around stage and to different wings of the stage.

If you have scenic changes, talk with your director about scheduling a scene change rehearsal once you get into tech. They help solve problems.

Make sure that you take down each actors blocking (Blocking discussion forum on this site. Just do a search.) This helps out a lot.

Hope this helps!

50

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.

« on: May 06, 2008, 10:33 pm »

A few that come to mind that are very simply and can be done with limited cast and unit sets are: SNOOPY, BABY, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, ASSASSINS, RENT, A CHORUS LINE, and COMPANY.

Best Wishes!

51

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student Stage Manager's Challenge #3: SMs Everywhere

« on: Apr 27, 2008, 06:12 pm »

Okay, this kinda, sorta relates to SMing. I am currently an Elder at my church. Among my tasks is to open up the church, set up for church (e.i. putting the hymn numbers on the boards, setting up for communion, making sure that everything in the pews are all straight and organized, lighting the candles, setting up the microphones, making sure the bible is on the correct pages for the scripture lessons on the lectern, and make sure the flowers are by the alter). I also have to make sure that everyone gets an order of worship sheet (what is going to happen during the service), and I control the lights and the microphones during the service (I have to take my own cues of course). I also have to help distribute communion with the pastor. Plus, I also have to help the other Elders clean-up after the service and close up the building. So you can see that it is quite similar.

52

Employment / Letters of Recommendation/Reference -- Question

« on: Apr 21, 2008, 04:23 pm »

I tried looking in the forum, but was unable to find what I was looking for.

If a company/theatre would like to have references (let's say 3) included in you resume and also asks you for the same amount of Letters of Recommendation/Reference, should you give them letters from the references you have already have on the resume or give letters from 3 different people?

Thanks!

53

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: To Block or Not to Block?

« on: Mar 28, 2008, 12:53 pm »

The first main stage show I did was "Inherit the Wind", which has a bunch of crowd scenes. It was a cast of 32. Fortunately, I had two ASMs, that helped taking down blocking. Each took a side of the stage recording who was coming in from what area and where they were going and I would take down what was happening in the center. Then we tried to sort it out later with who had what. However, even that was crazy getting all of it down. So I brought in my video camera in the rehearsal hall and video taped the crowd scenes. That helped a great deal.

Perhaps this might be a solution for you. However, you might want to check to see if you have permission to video tape it. I was able to do it because I was in an educational theatre setting. 

Hope this might help!

54

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Drawing the line?

« on: Feb 04, 2008, 11:16 am »

I've been there as well!

I have had faculty members bring guests backstage for a little tour. This actually happens rarely. All you can really do, or in my experience, is to ask the faculty member to inform you that they are doing this. With some faculty members, they are so far of up the chain that you really have no authority over them. You just have to go with the flow sometimes and do the best that you can!

"I'm pullin' for ya! We're all in this together"  -Red Green

55

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Taking Notes

« on: Feb 04, 2008, 10:54 am »

If possible, you could dictate notes to your ASM(S) through headset.

56

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Happy Birthday Kay!

« on: Dec 22, 2007, 02:54 pm »

You're lucky having a birthday close to Christmas!  Happy B-day!  All my best!

57

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Giving lines for a music in a musical....

« on: Dec 22, 2007, 11:15 am »

You should definately talk to you Director/Music Director and ask them when they don't want actors calling for line any more. This is of course important, because when they are on stage in a performance, they have to get themselves out of a jam with lines. In IMHO.

58

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Preshow (turn off your cellphone) announcements

« on: Nov 17, 2007, 06:13 pm »

What if perhaps you put the audience in the actor's perspective from the stage. What if you had a flash of lighting (like a camera flash flashing at them), basically telling them if it's distracting to them, it is distracting to the actors. Plus, putting in cell phone rings, sounds of candy wrappers, talking audience members, etc., loudly so hopefully they might get the idea.

59

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM Software

« on: Oct 02, 2007, 08:35 am »

I've been working with macros on Excel and trying to figure out how to use them. I took the tutorial of learning about macros on Microsoft's website. I also have a book on Excel (2003). My plan, once I have learned enough, is to use a macro, in which a userform is used, to create a database. One you type in a name of a person or a prop or a date, etc., and then you put a check next to a box that distributes it to another Excel workbook. I imagine this will take me a while to figure out and execute. So, if any of you are really good with Excel and know what I'm talking about, could you please give me some pointers.   Thanks!

60

Articles from the Old Site / Re: So...do ya think you're theatre is haunted?

« on: Sep 26, 2007, 03:09 pm »

Wayne State University's Bonstelle Theatre is haunted by its founder, Jessie Bonstelle.  Although I have never seen her.  She has been seen up in the balcony and in the projection booth which used to be a part of her apartment there. 

Once when we did "A Moon for the Misbegotten", we had haze for that show, a patron thought it was really cool how we had a woman that looked like she was floating on a fountain.  There was no fountain or woman doing that in the show.

While using the men's restroom in the lobby there, I heard someone come in, footsteps, but didn't hear or see them come out.

We're not really worried thought, Jessie is a great presence to have around. This is why the last people to leave the theatre at the end of the night say, "Goodnight, Jessie!".