Messages

61

Stage Management: Other / Re: LA Opera PSM speaks at local library

« on: Mar 13, 2007, 12:06 am »

I went to hear Lyla speak.  Very interesting and informative, especially since most of the crowd seemed to be opera-goers who had no sense of the backstage.  They asked good questions, though.  I actually learned a lot, since I have no opera experience and have never worked on anything near the scale of an LA Opera production. 

Great to see a stage manager speak.

62

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Microphone list

« on: Feb 27, 2007, 11:31 pm »

I'm attaching the mic plot from when I did Les Mis.  We had 16 mics but it's the same situation.  I listed the main characters by character name and the smaller soloists by actor name.  The main issue is to make sure that if people are sharing mics you factor in enough time for the trade.  Remind them that after they finish with their mic the FIRST thing they do, BEFORE changing costumes, BEFORE getting a drink of water, is to take off their mic and return it to whatever central location you choose to do the trades in.  That's the other thing--don't have actors just hand mics off to each other.  They should check them in and out with a sound crew member and do all mic trades in that location.  It will save actors randomly leaving mics in unusual places.

63

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stop The Show!

« on: Feb 02, 2007, 04:36 pm »

Years ago I was in the house for a bad show stop.  I was seeing the tour of Joesph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Chicago.  At the beginning of Act II, the Narrator was singing her opening number and messed up.  Instead of just covering and going on, she actually stopped the show and asked the orchestra to start the whole song over.  This was way back in college before I was stage managing seriously, but it just seemed extremely unprofessional.  It's one thing to stop for an emergency or a tech issue, but to stop because you flubbed your lines is silly.

64

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Guys and Dolls

« on: Jan 31, 2007, 02:05 am »

I've worked with a turntable before.  Just know that unless you can set your turntable to revolve exact turns (i.e. set it for an exact 360 or 180) you won't be able to spike anything on the stage, everything will have to be eyeballed.

65

SMNetwork Archives / Re: SM photos

« on: Jan 18, 2007, 12:18 am »

The last time anyone took a photo of me stage managing was the summer where it was 110 degrees in the shade (in LA) and the air conditioner in the theatre had broken down.  We rented a portable unit for the shows, but not for rehearsals.  I keep hoping they'll lose those horrible pictures of me all red and sweaty.  I find that when I'm working I'm not thinking about looking my best, so I avoid all cameras.

66

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Digging Out in Denver

« on: Dec 30, 2006, 03:21 am »

Despite the added hassle (and there's always hassle--even when you aren't detained or searched), I always feel safest on planes out of Israel.  I feel like their security is at least a little less arbitrary than airport security in the US.

67

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: I need everyones opinon...

« on: Dec 29, 2006, 02:01 am »

I enjoy calling from backstage.  However, if your cast isn't used to you being there, they may assume that they can come to you with questions or problems mid-show, just because you're there.  I generally remind them that only the ASM should speak to me, just as if I was up in the booth.  The phrase I like to use is, "Only talk to me if I'm on fire--not the theatre, but me personally."

68

The Green Room / Re: Things You'll Never Hear a Stage Manager Say

« on: Dec 07, 2006, 06:08 pm »

"Oh, just show up whenever."

69

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Warm-up/ Games

« on: Nov 29, 2006, 06:35 pm »

When my cast is doing a physical warm-up, I'll often participate (or do my own in a corner).  Even if (or especially because) I'm not doing anything physical for the rest of the day, I know that it's still good for my body to get a little movement going.  Otherwise, I spend too many days sitting on my butt doing paperwork and taking notes.

70

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: 8 rehearsals 'til tech week and i can't sleep

« on: Nov 07, 2006, 06:40 pm »

I'm a big fan of a hot bath when I need to relax.  If you put a little lavendar oil in it will help you sleep. 

I've had trouble sleeping my whole life, so I have a lot of solutions.  However, the best advice I've gotten is to only use your bed for sleeping.  If you want to read, watch tv, write notes, whatever, do it on the couch, in a chair, or at the table.  When you're ready to go to bed, go to bed.  Basically, you need to set up a pattern that the bed is for sleeping, not working.  When your brain can compartmentalize that, you'll fall asleep better.

71

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Nutcracker

« on: Nov 07, 2006, 05:59 pm »

I've SMed Nutcracker before (came in the day before--Thursday--to do tech and had the first show Friday morning).  Just remember that it's the Nutcracker and everyone loves it--no matter what.  Especially if you have tons of kids in the show, the parents care a lot more about seeing their babies on stage than then do if your lighting cue is two beats off.  You'll be fine.

72

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stop The Show!

« on: Nov 02, 2006, 07:29 pm »

This summer I was doing a production of "Grease."  The temperature outside was over 100^o and (as happens in S. California) we were having rolling blackouts all over town.  We spent about 20 minutes pre-show working out a whole emergency announcement and evacuation plan in case the theatre blacked out, and I did the whole show with my flashlight right next to my prompt book--where I could reach it quickly and easily.  Fortunately, we never were hit with the blackouts, but it was nice to know that we had a set plan.

73

Stage Management: Other / Re: Education Department Websites?

« on: Oct 23, 2006, 05:33 pm »

Check out the Theatrical Education Group site.  I SMed for them for a while.  http://www.theatricaleducationgroup.com/index2.html

74

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Actor Calls

« on: Oct 11, 2006, 04:54 pm »

I also call 5 at five to curtain.  I'll hold off on calling "places" till I get the word from the house.  If it's more than an extra 2 minutes or so, I'll make the call "Holding for house, please standby," just so no one gets too comfortable backstage.

75

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: How to keep kids *quietly* busy at rehearsal when they're not needed onstage?

« on: Oct 04, 2006, 04:08 pm »

what you need to find is an older responsible kid who can serve as a leader.  The younger kids will follow the actions of an older kid every time, and the older kid usually wants to please the adults will fall into the job.  Keep in mind though they are still a kid and will have "kid moments" as well.

I do this a lot when working with kids.  Yes, the older kids want to have fun and be crazy too, but I approach them as the adults they wish they were.  I go up to the older ones individually and just say, "I know you want to have a good time, but remember that all the younger kids look up to you.  You're a role model and I hope you'll set a good example."  Since most of them were once the younger kids in the show, and remember emulating the older ones, they're usually willing to rise to the occasion, once it's brought to their attention.