Messages

61

Articles from the Old Site / Re: Stage Management Desktop

« on: Sep 26, 2007, 03:02 pm »

I would prefer a windows platform.

What about including various reports and schedule types, with a way to distribute the this information quickly electronically.

I probably wouldn't pay anything anything more than $75 dollars.

62

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / ASMS: ASM Books?

« on: Sep 25, 2007, 12:27 pm »

Just wondering if anyone knows if there are any books about just Assistant Stage Managing?

Thanks!

63

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / JOB DESCRIPTION: PSMing vs. ASMing

« on: Aug 29, 2007, 04:47 pm »

Of course you have to take into consideration the different requirements of the show you are working on.

I have often found being a PSM is a little bit easier that being an ASM, but that is just from my perspective.

What do you think?

64

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SM Olympics?

« on: Aug 29, 2007, 04:38 pm »

How about the fastest time to spike some rehearsal furniture.

or

The fastest time to set-up rehearsal furniture for a reheasal.

65

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Talking to a group of campers about stage management

« on: Aug 09, 2007, 06:50 pm »

I suggest bringing some props with you. Meaning a production book they could see, maybe if the theatre you work for will allow you to borrow a headset, your kit. Visual aids usually work will with kids.  And start from the moment you get hired to when you have to move on to a new job, step-by-step (in the time alloted).

Break a leg!

66

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Wayne State University???

« on: Jul 11, 2007, 06:22 pm »

Hi,

I just graduated from the undergrad program at Wayne State University.  The graduate program at WSU is one of the best in the country.  WSU's graduate theatre (Hilberry Theatre) is the only graduate repertory in the USA.  So as a stage manager, you could be working on two to three shows a semester.  Here is WSU theatre department's website: http://www.theatre.wayne.edu/index2.php.  The best thing I could suggest is calling the department's main number (on the website) and whoever answers would be happy to refer you to someone to give you more information.

Hope this helps!

67

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Management Guide

« on: May 11, 2007, 02:25 pm »

This looks pretty good and a lot of thoughts put into it.  I had to do one of these in college.  I do have a few thoughts/suggestions:

In Chapter 1:
--I believe the SM needs all the knowleged of everything that happens in the production and not just some of it.
--"Totally responsible for everything in the production", where did you hear this quote.  This quote I know (though paraphrased) came from Danial Ionazzi's book from one of his students.  You should quote him so you don't take credit for those words.
--"We need SM's." (Who?) It is really good to be specific.
--Why remove the tabs, these tabs can be very helpful?

Chapter 2:
--"Hit by a bus..."--If I am not mistaken, this quote was either covered in Thomas Kelly's or Lawrence Stern's book.  You should quote these words so you don't take credit for them.
--Keep in mind every item in a kit is just as important to an SM as another item. (at least in my mind)
--"Painfully long rehearsals..."--To me this could be taken as an insult to a director.
--Do your production meetings happen on other days?  What if everyone can't make the meeting that day, what is the procedure to re-schedule?
--What is an AD or ASM?  You should explain these abbreviations.

Chapter 3:
--I personally would but saftey in it's own chapter.

Chapter 5:
--Production is quite vague, it might be better if you used performances.

Hope this helps.  Best wishes on your project.

68

Tools of the Trade / Re: New Tallescope ruling in UK

« on: May 06, 2007, 05:16 pm »

I think we all just need to realize that each country has different safety regulations they believe appropriate for their people.  This world would be very boring if everyone in it adopted the same cultural beliefs/ideals.

69

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Stage Management Colleges

« on: Apr 23, 2007, 10:16 am »

I'm finishing up my Senior year at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.  We don't really have a Stage Management program.  You be getting a Design/Technology degree specializing in SM.  However, we need Stage Managers anyway because between our Bonstelle Theatre (Undergrade Theatre), Studio Theatre (Undergrade Theatre) and Hilberry Theatre (Graduate Theatre), we do 14 to 17 productions a year between all three theatres.  That is more than any other college or university in the USA. We also have the only Graduate reprotory theatre in the USA. Believe it or not but I have learned a lot while I have been there and there are alway student productions to work on as well besides any of the Bonstelle or Studio season productions too.

You would be working in the Bonstelle and Studio, which are wonderful environments to work in, especially the Studio which seats 110. And depending how you do on your first ASM assignment, you would most likely become PSM for one of the Studio Theatre Productions and then up to the Bonstelle.

Check out our link:  http://www.theatre.wayne.edu/index2.php

Hope this helps!

70

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: What's my job again?

« on: Apr 16, 2007, 02:35 pm »

Another thing you could possibly do is ask you director if they are okay with you either e-mailing everyone's line notes to them (in a mass e-mail to everyone) or posting their line notes on whatever callboard they look at before next times rehearsal.

71

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: I need some serious help!

« on: Apr 05, 2007, 09:03 am »

I definately agree with everyone about not walking away. Remember (and I'm sure you know this) you are one of the pieces of glue that holds this production together. With you walking away, this production will really fall apart.

The company meeting sounds like your best option. I would have everyone from each area have an agenda to present to you of problems that they see. However, I would have each area explains some the good things that are coming out of the production as well. It doesn't help everyone to throw out all negative things, which could lead to accusations and more chaos. The positive things (in my opinion) help balance everything out.

Best of wishes! And say hi to my uncle for me!

72

Tools of the Trade / Re: latest toys...

« on: Feb 14, 2007, 06:28 pm »

It's interesting.  I've never seen so many people so excited about Sharpies.

73

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Anyone willing to be interviewed?

« on: Feb 13, 2007, 09:00 am »

I'm not in the industry yet.  I'm a senior in college.  If you would like I would love to give you insight on what it is like in college.  Stilts15ak@aol.com.

74

Tools of the Trade / Re: latest toyes...

« on: Feb 06, 2007, 09:50 am »

Not a big fan of the retractable sharpies. I think that they dry out faster that the regular ones.

75

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: help with "real" stage management

« on: Feb 06, 2007, 09:43 am »

Both Stern's and Kelly's books are good.  But, Stern has this obsession with writing in pen, especially in a blocking and cueing script, which I consider a no-no.