Messages

61

Tools of the Trade / Trees on stage

« on: Jan 09, 2007, 08:36 am »

Design question:

I'm directing a production of the Crucible and I'd like to have trees on the stage.  I'm wondering what pitfalls I'm not thinking about with using live trees?   Also any US Garden centers that you know of that would willing to donate them?

62

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Pre-show Blues

« on: Jan 08, 2007, 03:29 pm »

"It all works out in the end"
"How"
"I don't know... it's a mystery"

Truer words have never been spoken.  Take a breath, and take your time.   You'll be fine.  Remember it's High School, the problem is your dealing with 1) actors 2) teenagers and 3) no true leverage to get them to do what you want. Can't fire them, can't hold a AEA contract over their heads.  Add to that a huge helping of teen angst and emo and yep... you get High School Theater. 

You have to look at all this and see the whole situation.  oso_te_great had a great point about getting attitude for saying something that director had literally just said to an actor.  It's different coming from someone who is an adult or in a role of one.  Teens normally don't react well to other teens leading them.  They're all too busy trying to establish who they are, all while you're establishing who you are.  Remember that when your talking to them, you'll probably get further coming to them as a friend and a peer as opposed to a boss. 

Is there an advisor or director for the crew?  Maybe they can help you with idea on how to motivate them?  As for the actor with the glasses, I'd tape up a broken pair with masking tape and make them totally nerdy to wear then make him wear them this week, tell him your protecting the good ones for the show      Might make him think twice about how he treats the real ones. 

Break a leg and remember... Everything in life is only for now...

Extra points to whoever can identify the opening quote.

63

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Digging Out in Denver

« on: Jan 08, 2007, 11:04 am »

That's my city!!! That patented Philly "Blink Blink Response" takes years to master!!

That Blink Blink response is hard to master... it requires Philly people to act like they care about what's going on. Though I'm not sure you wanted the easier Philly response... it would ential them telling you where else you can put the coat.   

Philadelphia - City of brotherly love... where only the strong survive. 

64

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Digging Out in Denver

« on: Jan 03, 2007, 02:11 pm »

I'm from Philadelphia VSM,  and I'm trying to find snow to throw at you. 

65

Employment / Re: To tattoo or not to tattoo

« on: Jan 03, 2007, 12:18 pm »

Both my tats (the one I have and the one I'm getting) are in coverable areas as far clothing is concerned, if I was performing and was made to wear shorts or a tank top I'd have to come up with something.  Of course the shape I'm in right now, if I was made to wear shorts or a tank top the last problem the director would have was my tattoo.

As for Disney, they will actually allow cast members to have Tattoos for non-guest interactive positions, or they will require you to cover it with a band aid or make up.  However realize this, when you go for the interview that puppy better be covered or they will opt for the non inked candidate. 

I would seriously contemplate placement though.  It's a very cool thing to have, but not always accepted as the most professional, no matter what the design.

66

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Merry Christmas All

« on: Dec 26, 2006, 12:47 am »

Happy RamaChanaKwansMas to all of you. 

67

Tools of the Trade / Re: Headset Headaches?

« on: Dec 18, 2006, 03:15 pm »

I don't have a problem with cans that go over my ears but the ear bud ones that we tried a show or two ago killed me.   Marcie can you shift the headset back a little so it's not cupping your whole ear?  Might help to let some of the HF not go directly into your ear.  Might let in some background noise too, but it's a trade off. 

Mac you take Ibuprofen before a show no matter if you have a headache or not? 

68

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

« on: Dec 18, 2006, 01:19 pm »

I'm calling this show... by feel.

69

SMNetwork Archives / Re: True to Life SM Anecdote

« on: Dec 15, 2006, 03:20 pm »

Priceless Ruth...

70

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

« on: Dec 12, 2006, 01:23 pm »

"Maybe I could learn to be a truck driver"

71

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: First Hard Show with Difficult Cast -- Please help

« on: Dec 11, 2006, 09:24 am »

No No No No Noooo LJO

You have to post some of the more colorful suggestions you get 


and I didn't advocate setting the theater on fire.... just the green room 

72

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Interesting request for performance reports...

« on: Dec 08, 2006, 02:30 pm »

I'm pretty much in line with VSM

Curtain Speech Up:
Curtain Speech Down:

Act 1 Up:
Act 1 Down:
Total Act 1:
Act 2 Up:
Act 2 Down:
Total Act 2:
Run Time:

Curtain speech time isn't included in the run time calculation... truth be told, it's really just to make fun of how long the curtain speaker goes on and on about the wonderful things here at our theater.. 

73

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Thanks for coming out and auditioning, but....

« on: Dec 08, 2006, 07:49 am »

That's one thing that makes me glad that I'm in community theater.   We just post the cast lists on the company website and let the crying begin.

I'd have to say that I agree with Mac on the letter approach, the absense of contact between audition and "Dear Actor" letter... is ususally a good clue that you didn't make it.  However if you're required to go with the phone call, it would be better to go with the "Band Aid" approach... just get to the point and get it over with quickly. 

74

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: First Hard Show with Difficult Cast -- Please help

« on: Dec 07, 2006, 01:58 pm »

LJO

I'm as speechless as thehayworth...

First of all... you are never evER EVER out of line asking for professional people to act in a professional matter, from what you've posted you've crossed no lines and you've done NOTHING wrong.  

The person at fault here is the director.   He left you high and dry by not at least requiring a modicum of respect.  He created the environment that you're living with right now, not you.  He set you up, so don't for a second think that you're wrong.

That being said... a cast meeting might be the best thing (if you can get them all there on time) be ready to listen to problems... but open it with a speech, it might sound corney but something along the lines of (shamelessly paraphrased from The West Wing)

"We're a group. We're a team. We win together, we lose together. We celebrate and we mourn together. And defeats are softened and victories are sweeter because we did them together. . . . You're my guys and I'm yours --- and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you.  When I ask you to keep me in the loop, when I ask you let me know what's going on it's not because I'm trying to boss you, it's because I'm a member of this team to, and it's information I need.  I'm not asking you to like me, or even agree with me, but I'm asking you to work with me, I'm asking you to give me the respect as a professional that I've given to you.  In the end... the show is what counts, and theres no one in this room that doesn't benefit if the show runs smoothly."

Something along those lines.... might get you laughed at... but it might work too... if not then I have another West Wing Quote

"Set fire to the room... do it quickly"  

Seriously though... you're not not the problem here... dont' take it personally, chalk it up to the wack job director.  You're doing anything wrong.  

75

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

« on: Dec 07, 2006, 01:35 pm »

"The directors obviously knows best"

"Nah we don't need to spike that down"

"Schedule-shmedule"