Messages

61

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: RUNNING: ASMs running off a script

« on: Dec 30, 2013, 10:44 pm »

Thank you for your input. I have been doing the running sheets primarily because ASMs are now being part of the process earlier than tech. We haven't had much interest in stage management in the past and most ASMs were put on the show to fulfill the hour requirement set by some classes. I provided them with helpful paperwork and notes to help run backstage.

With ASMs being part of the production as early as the first-rehearsal, and it being my job to oversee the stage management as a whole now; I think I will introduce the idea of Assistant Stage Managers to start putting together running sheets.

Do you have any recommendations to help start this process?

62

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / COMMUNICATION: CC/BCC and Email Etiquette

« on: Dec 30, 2013, 04:12 pm »

What do you consider to be general email etiquette and etiquette involving CC and BCC?

I started piecing together, that a few of my SM / ASMs have poor email etiquette. Sounding rude, not following protocol, not sending out reports, or answering in a timely manner.
 
As a learning tool, I delegated the task of updating the callboard, sending out rehearsal schedules and taking attendance to my ASM.

Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth

63

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Emergency Contact/Medical Info forms for Students

« on: Dec 30, 2013, 03:51 pm »

Emergency contact/medical info forms are usually handled by administrative staff. I would recommend speaking to your director/instructor about what to do if an emergency occurs.

 Will it be appropriate to have some information such as allergies on your cast in your records? They may come in handy especially if food may be ordered.   

64

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Acting maintenance notes in the Performance Report

« on: Dec 30, 2013, 03:41 pm »

Any actor or acting related notes that should go into the performance report?

65

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: RUNNING: ASMs running off a script

« on: Dec 30, 2013, 03:36 pm »

I'm asking to find different approaches.

In the past I'd give a copy of all running sheets and my WWW to my ASMs. Prior and during Tech, I go over what information and notes to put in their script that would be crucial for the running of the show.  They end up using their script with notes of what they need to do, check and/or oversee.
 

66

Employment / Re: Resumes and Cover Letters......The Nitty Gritty Part of Stage Managing

« on: Dec 30, 2013, 03:28 pm »

Does anyone have a cover letter and resume they can send me I can use as a guide?

I do have a resume which I update after each show, but I would love what I could improve on.

67

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PRE-PRODUCTION: Running a design meeting

« on: Dec 29, 2013, 08:45 am »

I'm not quite sure but maybe you are referring to production meetings. I'd usually send out something like an Agenda, list of topics I'd like to be discussed. They usually involve schedules, new additions and before-seen problems.

I find that it doesn't quite matter who "runs" these meetings as long as you help open communication and keep on track. These meetings are for the entire staff to discuss problems, ideas and come up with solutions.

I find that some discussions are better suited for smaller meetings or "one-on-ones" after the group meeting. 

68

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / RUNNING: ASMs running off a script

« on: Dec 28, 2013, 09:39 am »

During tech/performances, should ASMs run off their script or should they run off paperwork like runsheets and WWW's and such.

Any thoughts?



Edited to add topic tag. - Maribeth

69

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: CALLING: calling cues

« on: Dec 28, 2013, 07:55 am »

What would you say or how do you word it if you want your operator to take the cue off a visual/action onstage or word instead of saying "go"? For example if an actor turns on a light switch, answers a phone, or if the lights bump up when the actor screams "lights" (scripted, of course).

70

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Printing A Hard Copy for Management

« on: Dec 27, 2013, 04:26 am »

I send meeting minutes and rehearsal reports by email and I also post a hard copy on a bulletin board or in my production team's mail boxes.

71

Tools of the Trade / Re: examples of good calling sheets for shows with fly cues

« on: Dec 25, 2013, 07:07 am »

My email is mteustace314 AT gmail DOT com

Thank you so much for this!

Moderator note:  removed hyperlink and full email address.  This page is visible to the internet, so we want to avoid SMeustace's email getting picked up by spam bots.  -kmc307

72

Tools of the Trade / Re: examples of good calling sheets for shows with fly cues

« on: Dec 23, 2013, 03:23 am »

Would one of you be willing to share your Fly cue sheet?

73

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice

« on: Nov 30, 2013, 09:28 pm »

Thank you all. I usually use a combination of a orange highlighter and post it flags and post it notes.

For my up coming show; Ragtime, it's mostly sung through with scatter dialogue. I was thinking of combining the script and the score together like i've done in the past.

The trouble Im having is finding a way to this because the musical is mostly sung thru and the score only has a line or two, it doesn't include all dialogue.  Any ideas?
(Since mostly cues may be taken off music, lines and visual q's)

74

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice

« on: Nov 24, 2013, 10:18 am »

Hello,
I am looking for example calling scripts which one have made for calling a show from a score. And any advice for calling a show from a score (of course being able to read sheet music is obvious)

I would greatly appreciate it

Thank you

Edited to add topic tag and clarify subject- Maribeth

75

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Understudies/Double Casting

« on: Aug 27, 2013, 06:13 pm »

How does your college and/or community theater deal with understudies or double casting?

At my college, we are a smaller theater department, and we don't use understudies. We pray that actors don't get badly sick during performance!

Are there any guidelines or policies you know of regarding understudies/double casting for your college/community theater?
(By community theater, I dont just mean community theater, I also mean any theater or company that isn't equity or professional)