Messages

511

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Anyone else using Google Sites?

« on: Jan 14, 2010, 10:42 am »

I might have to double-check, but I believe that when the actors get their email they have the ability to say that they get updates whenever anything on the site changes or is updated. Again I'll have to double check.
The site is also in addition to sending the usual emails. Since it's the guinea pig project for the production I'm using it in addition to the usual routine. I'll be asking for feedback during and after the show closes.

512

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Anyone else using Google Sites?

« on: Jan 13, 2010, 07:21 pm »

Yes this is protected, both for tech and actors. They have to be invited by email. Google Sites has the ability to add additional authors, collaborators or viewers.

513

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / TECHNOLOGY: Anyone else using Google Sites?

« on: Jan 12, 2010, 10:54 pm »

I'm stage managing a production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" and I've received permission to use Google Sites as an online callboard of sorts. For actors there are pages for the calendar, costume fittings, rehearsal schedule, etc; for the production team there are pages for rehearsal reports, production meeting reports, as well as an area for designers to keep their plots, sketches, etc.

For the team the goal is to keep paperwork between departments updated (no more "is this the most recent plot?"), 'go green' with less need to print and make all information easily accessible. For the actors the goal is to have the majority of the information they need in one place and keep the need for calling the theatre/stage manager/director at a minimum. I feel it will also give them another avenue of being responsible for themselves (no more "I left my schedule at work, when is my next rehearsal?")

Anyone have any thoughts? Suggestions? Opinions? If anyone would like to be able to view the site and take a look around, maybe throw some ideas around, message me with your email address and I'll add you.

Edited to add label to the subject line-Rebbe

514

The Green Room / Re: SM gifts!

« on: Dec 29, 2009, 07:20 pm »

I bought my own present! Our local AC Moore was moving locations and I saw a $150 rolling SM kit (at least that's what I'll be using it for) for $30; I went to the manager and asked if he could cut me a deal since it was a little dusty from storage, so he let me have it for $15.

515

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Humor: Stage Managing the World

« on: Dec 19, 2009, 11:00 am »

Can't say that I have either. The closest thing I come to it is when I'm putting on my white socks, my first thought is always, "They'll be able to see me in the dark." 

516

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How to back up the career of choice.

« on: Dec 10, 2009, 06:29 pm »

We were just talking about this last week I think. Because stage management allows you to become adept at other things--office management, event management, even carpentry, prop building--you can be open to other jobs where your skill set fits well, a job that pays the bills and a job that fuels your passion.

I'd recommend reading the book "Slash Careers". It is full of people who have more than one career but excell at all of them because they have a passion for more than one thing, or they are so closely connected the two naturally mesh well. Right now I'm a stage manager/mom (oh yeah, definitely a job!)/after school care teacher.

517

Tools of the Trade / Re: Waterproof Notebooks and Erasable Pens

« on: Dec 05, 2009, 07:43 pm »

*excited inhale* The price is worth it!

518

Tools of the Trade / Re: Twitter.

« on: Dec 05, 2009, 07:36 pm »

CBT, agree it was unprofessional, especially while tweeting in real-time.

When I had a MySpace page I refrained from making negative or derogatory comments about the production I was working at the time, only general positive statements ("Great rehearsal today" "I love my crew" that kind of thing); even afterwards when the production was over I would keep comments to generalities. No, "Oh my God, I have no clue why they cast so-and-so as Vivian, she was terrible!"
Once I did mention from a rather difficult production that I learned more about conflict resolution than from any other job I had. That was about as specific as it ever got, and even that may have been too much. With MS or FB or Twitter, you just have to think twice.

519

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: New SM, working with a creeper, please help.

« on: Dec 01, 2009, 11:07 pm »

Thank you babens, that is exactly what I mean. Theatre is an 'open environment', yes. Does that mean there are no lines that can be crossed? No. Everyone has a line but not everyone's is the same. The minute someone feels uncomfortable once a line has been crossed, that person should tell the other asap. Any respectable person would take note and change; if not, action should be taken.

Jayneykorn: we all want you to enjoy doing what you're doing. It sucks going to a job you used to love, only to hate it because of one jerk. If we all told our sexual harrasment stories it would be a huge thread. Mine includes a teacher! My line has been crossed countless times, that's one thing in this environment you can add in the 'con' column. In some cases I said nothing, but in more cases I said something; I always felt better after I said something. If anything it gives you more initiative & courage to stand up for yourself. I hope this works out for you.

Edited for language - PSMK

520

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: New SM, working with a creeper, please help.

« on: Nov 30, 2009, 11:30 pm »

Have to step in on this one, just out of my own experiences. If he's making sexual advances towards you and you are shy to defend yourself, he's going to keep doing what he's doing. We all know that sexual jokes and comments are a regular part of the job and nothing to get defensive about. But if he is crossing the line, he isn't going to know unless you tell him. Tell him seriously, sternly and to the point. Then walk away.

521

The Green Room / Re: Best reason from an actor for being late

« on: Nov 15, 2009, 06:48 pm »

Actor: Hey Dallas.
Me: Hey, what's up?
Actor: Um, I might be a little late for tech rehearsal today.
Me: Why?
Actor: I'm not in town.
Me: Where are you?
Actor: Um, Houston.
Me: There's a Houston, North Carolina?
Actor: Nooo...there's one in Texas though.
Me: (long pause) Okay. (longer pause) We'll talk about that when you get back.

I read his parts and he made it back in time for his last speech at the very end of the play. We had our talk afterwards.

522

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ESCRIPTS Archive June 09-Dec. 10

« on: Nov 13, 2009, 08:07 pm »

Hi,

I'm SMing a production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" in Feb/March of next year. Anyone have it?

Dallas

523

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Are your shows safe from busses?

« on: Nov 13, 2009, 02:15 pm »

In the back of my mind I always think, "Can someone continue from here in my absence?" I'm a tad obsessive when it comes to organizing everything so that a monkey could call the show. I upload everything to a flashdrive and, after I update info on my laptop from the rehearsal space, I leave it there in a safe place. My ASM & director both know where it is in case of emergency.

524

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PEOPLE: Performer is creator

« on: Nov 13, 2009, 01:18 pm »

I did a new musical here in Charlotte years ago when the writer had to step in to fill a role; his wife was also the producer and together they owned the company. I went in treating him as any other actor when he was acting, and treating him as the author when decisions about the score/script needed to be made. When he showed up late for rehearsals I made a note; if he was late for a production meeting I made a note. He told me later in a recommendation he appreciated that from me: the rules were the same for everyone with no preferential treatment.
Later I worked on Women Who Steal with two producers/directors as the only female acting roles. We communicated expectations upfront, but one of them was trying to step into a producer role when she had no place, and later tried to change the director's blocking during rehearsals when the director wasn't present. She was continually angry with me for not 'letting' her change things as she saw fit, when the only role she was supposed to fill was that of actress. She made the show a nightmare and was later dropped as a producer from the company when she verbally abused a house employee publically (and loudly).
Communication from the first meeting is vital: ask how things should go, how flexible with breaks, etc. you can be...especially if it's not a one-man show or an actor is playing other roles (director, producer, etc.). Then have someone above you back you up in case things get out of your hands.

525

The Green Room / Re: I can't believe I just had to do that...

« on: Dec 11, 2008, 10:50 pm »

One of my favorite local shows I've SM'd is "Mr. Marmalade", about a very little girl whose imaginary friend Mr. Marmalade is an abusive, coke-snorting, porn-toting businessman. If you ever get a chance to see it done well, go...it's hilarious. So of course one of my first questions upon hearing the premise was, "Who is buying the dildos and porn?" The answer turned out to be me. So I go into the obvious shop and the clerk, who sees me studying the boxes of dildos maybe a little more closely than his regular customers, asks me how he can help me, I reply, "Do you think I could take some of these out of the boxes and see how far they bounce?"