Messages

46

The Green Room / Re: "I am somehow responsible for arranging the donkeys."

« on: Mar 20, 2014, 08:34 am »

Never had to work with donkeys, but I've done a show with a goat!  Having food in your hand to entice it up a flight of stairs was a must.  Thankfully the owners scheduled it's feeding schedule in such a way that it never, during a 6 week run, went to the bathroom onstage.

I also love how a 9 year-old replaced the donkey.  What a great story!

47

The Green Room / Re: Great meme sign

« on: Mar 12, 2014, 04:19 pm »

My wife sent me this one over the weekend. (please see attachment)

48

Tools of the Trade / Eco-Clip: Make Your Own Notebook

« on: Mar 03, 2014, 02:02 pm »

Found these today:
http://www.animicausa.com/shop/Workspace/Eco-Clip-Reusable-notebook-binder/tpflypage.tpl.html
Seem pretty handy.  Anyone heard of or tried these before?

49

Tools of the Trade / Re: TOOLS: Post It Tape

« on: Feb 27, 2014, 09:24 pm »

Ordered a roll for the office...I'll have to post a review next week

50

The Green Room / Re: LINK: The Aggregation of Marginal Gains

« on: Feb 04, 2014, 01:14 pm »

So true BARusslel.
This is a great article particularly for us millennials.  I find there are a lot in our generation who expect to make it big quick, to have that one great idea, to find that one job...not only in theatre and the arts but with every occupation.  Our craft is one of small gains over time.  You can only learn so much so fast, and only so much from one place.  It is important to know that to have a career is to play to long game, and sometimes that means we advance only a little at a time.

</vent>

51

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: Wedding Proposal on Stage

« on: Jan 16, 2014, 06:05 pm »

Having done a public proposal and knowing how stressful they can be, this could have ended soooo badly.  Having said that, curtail call for sure.

But let's look at this another way: Hasn't he, by declaring his love during the final number and having it go viral, suddenly garnered a lot of publicity for this tour/production?  Would you as a producer or PM allow it?

52

The Green Room / Re: Your Paranoia/Obsession

« on: Dec 16, 2013, 09:05 am »

Actors not being in their places or in the building is one of my SM nightmares...

For the show we just closed, the paranoia was about whether the projector was actually turned on.  There was only one projection cue in the show, but it was an important one. You couldn't tell if it was projecting any light onstage because of the particular light cue we were in, so right before the projection came on I would keep telling myself, I definitely turned it on two hours ago....right?

53

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Unpaid Interns, Complicit Colleges

« on: Dec 15, 2013, 01:23 pm »

Can we add "I have not taken an internship" to the choices?  I know I'm probably one of the few....
I never have taken an internship.  When in college, my mentor (an old vet of the navy and IATSE) advised us to reach and apply for actual, paid positions.  It always served me well while I was in college and subsequently, led me to my current staff position which I started immediately following the end of finals.  Disclaimer: I do not work in NYC or have the pressures of the NYC market.  Thus, could get away with not taking an internship.
I love this debate over paid and unpaid...so much food for thought!

54

The Green Room / Re: "The Sound of Music" Live on NBC

« on: Dec 06, 2013, 02:45 pm »

But remember how everyone got up in arms about the actress who ripped Into the Woods apart? I remember how there was talk about supporting those within the community and you shouldn't be a critical voice. I found it interesting that some of those same people who wrecked Morgan James were on social media ripping Carrie Underwood apart.

True. Definitely have to admit I jumped to conclusions about the whole thing before it even happened...but I found myself talking with people more about the exposure to musical theatre and the opportunity for those involved yesterday, which was nice.  Not to mention with the recent passing of Nelson Mandela, shouldn't we all be a little bit more peaceful and supportive of our fellow artists anyway?  I know I could be.

Someone posted this today as well.

But another aspect someone brought up in the office today:
Is this helpful of theatre? Or is it troubling to see live performances on television when people aren't necessarily leaving their homes to see live theatre?

55

The Green Room / Re: "The Sound of Music" Live on NBC

« on: Dec 04, 2013, 06:49 pm »

I'm with you....Carrie Underwood??? Really??!??!
But if it draws attention to live performance, all the better.
I like your drinking game idea though....might be the only way I can tolerate Underwood....

56

The Green Room / Re: Giving Thanks . . .

« on: Nov 27, 2013, 09:50 am »

Feeling very thankful this year...
Got some great people to work with who put on some fantastic shows.
Had new opportunities to teach open up.
Got to marry my best friend.
Have a great new place.
Healthy and happy friends and family.
And thanks to the theatre community which continually surprises me and reaffirms that I definitely do want to do this for the rest of my life.

Gobble Gobble!

57

The Green Room / Non-Profit Tumblr

« on: Jul 31, 2013, 01:47 pm »

Along the lines of the SM tumblr from a little while back....
http://workingatanonprofit.tumblr.com/

58

Employment / Re: Stage Managing Events--Put on Resume?

« on: Jul 30, 2013, 02:13 pm »

How about weddings? Anyone ever SM'd one before and would you even consider putting it on a resume?
Context: We've had 2 receptions and a ceremony at the theatre, all of which I've coordinated and run.  Also, all 3 were for friends but I was paid for my time from each.

59

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

« on: Jul 25, 2013, 03:39 pm »

I've been with my fiance (getting married in October in the middle of the run of THREE different shows, but that's a whole different story) for over 10.5 years.  We've been through college in different states and working in 2 very different fields (Theatre & Law). One thing we've found is that you have to set aside time to just be with each other.  Not just date nights or errands or projects, but just hanging around at the same time.  There's points when all we see of each other for weeks is when she's up early getting ready to go lawyerin' and I'm getting home late after tech.
As far as long-term plans, I see myself transitioning out of the SM role and into something with more "normal-people" hours. Maybe a TD gig or teaching.  She's put up with a lot from me and really has carried me through this crazy career of mine.  I think I'd agree to whatever rules she wants in order to make it work.
And all these stories are really great!  Makin' me hopeful and junk...

. . . 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?")

Love this!
We also just bought a really nice coffee table.  Ouch couch is a hand-me-down futon from my parents....still workin' on that.

60

The Green Room / Re: PATRON SMASH!

« on: May 16, 2013, 02:29 pm »

Thanks to this guy for living out our fantasy!  It'll be interesting to see what kind of repercussions he'll have to deal with.