Messages

61

Tools of the Trade / Re: Running sound cues in rehearsal

« on: Apr 06, 2012, 12:58 am »

For the most part, I now use QLab in the Rehearsal Hall because it is much easier than using a CD or iTunes or whatnot.  Once it is set up, I hit the space bar, and then I can get back to being a Stage Manager.  I have never however been handed a show file, only the source cues.  So I am building my own playlist.  And I do not hand over what I have been using to the sound designer for tech. I have enough knowledge to make timing adjustments and then I pass along notes as to what I am doing or what we have discovered, but not an actual file.  Most of the directors I work with seem to understand that these are still "rehearsal cues".  Yes, it has allowed for "sexier" sound in the rehearsal hall (easier crossfades & looping), but I don't think the expectation is for "show quality".  (At least not yet)  So at this point, I don't feel I'm doing anything more than what I first did way back when with a two tape deck boom box.  It just now is a heck of a lot easier.  However, if I was handed a show file, I might feel differently, especially if I was being charged with making adjustments.  That to me is when the sound designer needs to be in the rehearsal hall with you if it is that important.

I think QLab or SFX is a good thing for a SM to have knowledge of whether just to make their lives easier in the rehearsal hall or to help in an emergency situation.  Like a laptop or a hammer, it is a tool.  And if it can make our lives easier, I'm all for it.   

62

The Green Room / Re: What's next?

« on: Mar 18, 2012, 12:49 am »

I'm not sure exactly what I would do, but I do joke that it would not involve a stopwatch.  If I have to be responsible for 10 minute breaks and starting and stopping something, I might as well be doing theater. 

I have always thought about doing something for myself, running a B&B or opening a knitting store (apparently being poor doesn't bother me).  I've thought about going back to school for graphic design or marine biology.  Something totally different.  Maybe something that involves daylight.  I'm not sure I could step into a different position in the theatrical arts, though that would be the road of least resistance.  I'm sure I would find myself micro-managing some poor stage manager. 

63

The Green Room / Re: Article: Actor slits his own throat as knife switch turns fiction into reality

« on: Mar 16, 2012, 12:24 pm »

Really, a "female prop manger"... like sex makes a difference in this kind of accident!!

64

Employment / Job Applying Words of Wisdom to College Graduates

« on: Mar 16, 2012, 11:59 am »

(This is in response to going through my SM Intern applicants for a LORT theater)

For all of you getting ready to graduate from college, a few words of wisdom on applying for jobs. 

First of all, in this tough job market, please help me help you get a job.  I want to have the problem of having too many good candidates.  I want to get past your resume and talk to you in person. There is more to your resume than just your 20 shows that you have managed to work on in college.

Double check, double check, double check.  If you are applying to Theater A, it doesn't look good when half way through your cover letter you say something like "I really think I would be a great asset to Theater B".  We all know that everybody is applying for many jobs at once, but as a stage management candidate, it says to me you are not paying attention to details.  Also, take a moment to print out your resume to proof.  You might be surprised at the number of errors you catch having it physically in front of you.  Just because you e-mail it, doesn't mean the person on the other end isn't going to print it.

Please read and re-read the job notice carefully.  If the dates listed are September to May, please don't apply for a summer internship.  If it asks for references vs letter of recommendation, please send the appropriate piece of information.  Please apply to the correct person.

Please make sure if you use a template, you have replaced all the appropriate information with your information. In this day and age of the internet, there are many great resume examples out there and templates to choose from if you don't know where to start.   "Lorem ipsum dolor" is a dead giveaway.  So is [Street Address].  Make me think you have spent hours creating this fabulous resume, that I will want to pick up the phone and talk to you.

Remember you are applying for a JOB.  As much as theater is a passion, it is also work.  Those of us receiving your resumes are professionals.  We want to work with those who want to be professionals.  Please keep the information of a professional nature.  It is okay that it has been "a dream of yours to work at a professional theatre" or you "love being part of the creative process", but leave it at that.  Anything more esoteric makes you look silly and not to be taken seriously.

It can be hard to remain at the top of the pile, but it is super easy to end up in the trash can.  Help me keep you out of the trash can!

I wish everybody luck in their job searches!

65

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Perspective Please! <(^_^<)

« on: Dec 21, 2011, 07:45 am »

Following on what Matthew said, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is there in your backyard.  If I was still there, I would invite you down to observe.  However, their SM staff is great!  It wouldn't hurt to get in touch with them if you are interested, and see if they are willing to have you shadow a rehearsal or performance. 

66

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Beauty and The Beast Transformation Scene

« on: Nov 25, 2011, 11:01 pm »

Side note: Ooo that set alone is a Beast!  I worked on the original production at MTW.  Don't you LOVE those facings!

67

The Green Room / Re: Nudity and Sensitive (Sexual) Material

« on: Nov 03, 2011, 09:12 pm »

I've done both male & female nudity.  I'm happy to help.

68

The Green Room / Re: Hurricane Irene and your Company's plans

« on: Aug 26, 2011, 07:39 am »

I'm northwest of Boston and we are only in rehearsal at this point.  Fortunately, or unfortunately for me, I am the only one that has to come from the outside (our housing and RH are in the same building), so I am assuming we will continue as planned.

Yes, we have gotten everybody flashlights and are recommending extra food.

69

The Hardline / Re: AEA MAternity Leave

« on: Aug 24, 2011, 09:23 pm »

We acknowledge that people get sick and that people die, and we allow our members paid leave with guarantee of not being fired for both of these~ but not maternity.

But remember, getting sick and people dying are generally unplanned events.  Pregnancy, not always but for the most part, is a planned event, especially if you are a freelancer/contracted employee.  And the women could use their 10 days off to have a baby, they would just have to make sure they don't get sick before then.  As I think Matthew stated, as a contract employee, they are hiring you for a specific job for x amount of time and if you can't perform the job for x amount of time, you either shouldn't have signed the contract or are going to need to get someone to replace you at your expense. 

I have been giving this topic a lot of thought lately as the breadwinner in my household and a female in the 2nd half of her 30s with the proverbial clock ticking.  For the most part, I would have to say I agree with what Matthew stated.  Now, I am a resident stage manager in a LORT theater.  I have been at my current position 8 years.  If we actually decided to have children, I would 100 percent plan it around that season if possible.  If it wasn't possible, I know I would also have the support of those I work for to make the best possible decision for me, but I know that it would include me walking away from the job for a while.  However, because of my relationship with my current theatre, I also have the security of knowing my job would be there when I wanted it back.  But quite honestly, my reason for working around the theatre's season is that it would naturally give me the most time off around the baby being born and would hopefully disrupt things the least. (well as much as a screaming infant at 3am isn't disrupting things already....)  If I was truly freelancing I would feel much more nervous about get pregnant on someone else's time/dime.

Now that being said, I do think it is a shame that every rule book does not state language like that in the LORT rulebook, especially those contracts that lend themselves to resident/permanent positions.  This would be something to try to get negotiated into each contract as they come up for discussion.  Unfortunately for SPT, we are now going to have to wait a little bit.

70

The Hardline / Re: AEA Application?

« on: Aug 22, 2011, 09:01 am »

I remember getting the packet a few weeks after signing my first contract.  However, I don't remember an actual "application".  Now it has been 14 years since I joined.  Have things changed?

71

Tools of the Trade / Re: How to best use Dropbox?

« on: Aug 04, 2011, 12:47 pm »

I am currently using Dropbox for the stage management department for summer stock.  The plusses: all of stage management has access to all the files all the time.  Very helpful as we all take rotating days off.  You never have to be afraid that you don't have the one piece of info that the one SM has who is sitting by a pool.  There are only four of us and in the beginning we set down ground rules.  If it is not your piece of paperwork, it is not necessarily yours to modify.  If we are opening a document that multiple people could have open, say our rehearsal report, we always check to make sure people have closed it before the next person adds their notes.  It has been great, because I know at the end of the season when I go to archive the season and burn a disk of all the paperwork,  I will have all the up-to-date paperwork.  Yes, the drawbacks are, it does not alert you when someone else has the document open, it does just make multiple copies and date them.  So there is a danger (as did happen once to me with the rehearsal schedule) of information not getting out because of conflicting copy errors.

I would have to say, I would be more nervous about putting all my paperwork in the Dropbox interdepartmentally until it was something that was final.  But I'm a little bit of a control freak....

72

The Hardline / Re: Union Membership not required under AEA Contract?

« on: Jul 09, 2011, 08:37 pm »

Do you also qualify to receive the pension?

73

The Hardline / Re: Union Membership not required under AEA Contract?

« on: Jul 05, 2011, 07:35 pm »

I have heard of people signing contracts and not joining, but I thought all money was pulled/put in as if the Actor/Stage Manager was a member: i.e. minimums, working dues, pension & health so that the theater was not getting off cheap, neither was the employee.   However,  I'm surprised to hear that you were able to get a year's worth of health insurance.  Isn't that a benefit of being a member? Am I missing something here?

74

The Hardline / Re: Prompt Script Etiquette

« on: Apr 05, 2011, 01:51 pm »

(Play devil's advocate) But if it is a Co-Pro the following applies, yes:

(d) If the Stage Manager or Assistant Stage Manager has to prepare a script for the subsequent Theatre(s), that Stage Manager or Assistant Stage Manager shall receive no less than Three Hundred Fifty Dollars ($350.00). This shall not apply to photocopying.

But again, it goes back to your reputation... And unfortunately I know I put in the extra effort to keep up my reputation...

75

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ASMS: AEA Actors as ASMs

« on: Mar 28, 2011, 09:56 pm »

So I'm confused, if AEA is requiring an ASM, then how are they saving money by hiring an Actor.  My understanding of NEAT Tier B theaters (I'm from the Boston area) is that if it is a cast size of 10 or more or a Chorus musical then the ASM can not Act or Understudy.  So therefore it is a full time AEA ASM, so can't you hire a SM over a Actor?  Or is this a concession from the union?