Messages

46

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: VENUES: Shakespeare Outdoors

« on: Jan 23, 2011, 02:34 pm »

I ASM'd an outdoor Shakespeare (Midsummer Night's Dream) last year... One of our greatest challenges was moving everything every day. Because the play was a part of a whole summer festival, we were able to leave our stage floor, back wall, and the trusses up, but all lighting, sounds, tents (except the costume tents), props, costumes, etc. had to be moved in and out every day.

To do this, we set call 15 minutes earlier than it needed to be to use the cast as a run crew at the start of the night. We had very clear jobs for each cast member (i.e. ACTOR will move prop wagon A to the Costume Tent; ACTORS B and C will assist ASM moving speakers into place; ACTORS D, E, F, and G will move portable lights into proper positions). It made the transition much smoother. The SM and I oversaw everything, and put the final touches on (raising the light bars to the right height, reconnecting all wires, etc.) and at the end of the night, we reversed everything...

Now, in certain situations, you're not allowed to ask actors to do any of this, but the point is that you need to have a very clear run sheet of EXACTLY what needs to happen before each performance, timed to when everything needs to happen.

Break legs!

47

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REHEARSAL: Sign-in Sheet for Rehearsals

« on: Jan 19, 2011, 08:34 pm »

During rehearsals, I keep track of attendance on my own (or have an ASM do it) so that I can black out who is not supposed to be at rehearsals.

Once we start tech, or we move into the space, I hang a sign-in sheet on the call board. I'll generally have a second attendance sheet on my person so that I can check off people as I see them, then double check the board at first call to see who is actually there.

48

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / VENUES: Tips for Summer Stock

« on: Jan 17, 2011, 11:00 pm »

As interview season is coming up, does anybody have tips for a stage manager who is applying for their first jobs in Summer Stock Theatre? The company I'm looking at working with has 8 shows in 16 weeks, plus 2 shows in the Children's Series and a summer camp. There are two SMs for the season, and each SM has one or two ASMs.

I'm just looking for general tips on how to be working at least two shows at a time.... special organization tips, how to best utilize ASMs, how to expedite the transition from rehearsal spaces to the stage, etc.

Thanks!

Edit added tag to subject line-Rebbe

49

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Referring to Stage Manager IN the report

« on: Jan 16, 2011, 09:55 am »

I generally use something like "Phil (SM) will check in with [Director Name] (Dir.) first thing in the morning."
I do the same thing with actors, referring to them by name, and then by character, especially for costumers who might only know the character and not the person's name. I think it's easier for clarity... at least from my point of view.