Messages

46

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Special Skills on a Resume

« on: Oct 04, 2012, 10:27 am »

For your onstage training, I'd list it in stage management jargon, aka, "dance and movement notation" Which says you have been involved with dance and/or movement before and understand how it works. Just saying you have the training makes it look like you aren't sure what you want to be.

47

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!

« on: Oct 04, 2012, 09:58 am »

I am looking for "Good Night Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)"


Thank you!

48

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TOURS: Tips for Packing?

« on: Oct 04, 2012, 09:57 am »

I have never been on tour myself, but I have done a lot of long-distance and long-term trips. My .02 here:

1. Buy Packing cubes. eBags has them, and they are a lifesaver. They keep everything separated and sorted, so no crazy digging and refolding (Plus, they're waterproof).

2. Ipad: I cannot stress this enough. All the talk about books above is taken care of with an ipad. As well as your newpapers, magazines, and movies. As well as you can do at least a little bit of work on the road.

3. "Overnight Kit" Basicaly all your toiletries and a couple pairs of underwear and socks for nights when you are only in one place. Or visiting a friend while you are off.

49

Employment / Re: Touring Production Companies

« on: Apr 28, 2012, 02:53 pm »

NETworks
Troika
Work Light
Big League
Phoenix Entertainment

Those are the biggies, I believe.

50

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROMPT BOOK: Gratuitious Paperwork

« on: Oct 03, 2011, 11:41 am »

I think that I use as much as I need.  I have an excel document that I created about two years ago that has every permutation of a piece of paperwork I could need for a show, including the performance items (cue lists, shift charts, etc) so that I can have it open for each show and just have to swipe through a couple tabs to make it work. 

51

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Onstage as an SM

« on: Jun 17, 2011, 08:42 pm »

I just did this as well for a show.  It was "interesting." Just make sure it is in your contract, and that this isn't going too far "beyond the call of duty" so to speak. 

52

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROMPT BOOK: Gratuitious Paperwork

« on: Jun 10, 2011, 01:52 pm »

The big thing for me (being a child of the "computer age") is that I like to create a form, use it, then clear it and edit it as necessary for each show that I work.  I have a HUGE file on my laptop of forms I have created, stolen, edited, etc. and cleared for my own personal use. I like having them on-hand, but, if I can, I only create/use paperwork that I find useful for the show I am currently working on.  Yes, I like to showcase what I have created/edited to show my ability, but if a company really wants to see, i'll show them a portfolio, not a prompt book.

53

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: RUNNING: How do you decide when to cancel a performance?

« on: Jun 10, 2011, 01:46 pm »

I had only 30 people show up to a 1, 100 seat theatre a couple years ago because of weather.  We still did they show for those few brave souls who risked ice, snow, and wind to be there.  I'm pretty sure they were the best crowd we had. 

54

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SOUND: Working with a sound op.

« on: Jun 10, 2011, 01:44 pm »

I have been blessed with awesome sound ops throughout my career.  They usually have scripts and are live mixing during shows.  I have almost always left their cues up to them, since it is easier for them (and me) to take their own for speed and quick-draw purposes.  I have had to give cues for micing when it was a rather inexperienced operator and was not paying attention. 

55

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PEOPLE: How to keep kids *quietly* busy at rehearsal?

« on: May 09, 2011, 11:16 pm »

A reward system always worked well for me, for all ages.  During the run, keep record of the days that you do not have to talk to them.  If they hit a certian day, we were able to give them a pizza party.  It worked well, and the older ones eventually kept the younger ones in check-I think they wanted the pizza more.   

56

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: 2 Shows in Repertoire

« on: May 09, 2011, 11:12 pm »

I currently work in a rep theatre, and just a couple months ago had two shows in performance, one show in Tech, and two in rehearsal at the same time.  All advice above is very, VERY good, and I would take all of it to heart (as in, I have done all of those items).  I strongly agree with separate books. DO NOT keep the same book for both shows, even if there is a lot of overlap.  There is too much potential for confusion. 

57

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROPS: Spray Paint on Stage

« on: May 09, 2011, 11:09 pm »

Do they actually have to Grafitti the wall? I know in a recent tour of In The Heights they had cans that had spray mists that looked like paint. 

58

Employment / Re: Websites

« on: May 05, 2011, 06:59 pm »

I would love some critique on my website. I created it a couple months ago, and am not very good with html or rss feeds, so it's (admittedly) made with iweb.  I tweaked it to try to make it look less like stock.  Please give me advice and any other ideas that might help.  Thanks! 
www.mercedescoley.com

59

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Advice on how to deal with co-worker

« on: May 05, 2011, 06:50 pm »

90 minutes before half hour seems like an unusually early call -- especially with two ASMs, why is the call earlier than the more standard "hour before half" for crew calls?

That's what I thought - hell, I'd be late to 8:00a call.

I've never had anything earlier than 60-minute call before open house, PSM, ASM, PA, or otherwise.  I would most likely be late to that call.  I barely make it to 9:30 calls 

60

College and Graduate Studies / Re: MFA vs MA

« on: May 05, 2011, 06:48 pm »

Ditto to all the replies above. MA usually indicates a further track of education; an MFA shows you are ready to teach or work at a higher level.  Wayne State University has a pretty good Theatre Management program.