Messages

61

The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: In Defense of Stage Managers

« on: Oct 09, 2013, 01:15 pm »

Great post!

I once worked with a technical director who said a stage manager is a "glorified babysitter" to a group of board members....

62

The Hardline / Stagehand strike

« on: Oct 03, 2013, 01:31 pm »

Interested to hear other folks opinions.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/02/carnegie-hall-opening-gala-canceled/?ref=arts&_r=0

My thoughts are that I understand both sides, and I wish I was paid as well as the stage hands are paid.

63

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SCHEDULING: How much information do you give actors?

« on: Sep 30, 2013, 09:54 am »

Thanks for the advice. I haven't worked with this director before, so I don't know how much she'll stray off the schedule.

Due to the many kids in the show and the parents carpooling, I'm going to send out the first couple of days and we'll revisit if it's a disaster.

64

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / SCHEDULING: How much information do you give actors?

« on: Sep 27, 2013, 09:16 am »

I'm working on a show that has the entire rehearsal process scheduled; down to the hour. Rather strange for me, but that's neither here nor there.

There is debate on how much of the schedule should we give the actors. We are sending them a calendar that is basic; just saying when rehearsal is occurring, tech, opening, performances, and closing. Just the facts.

There is talk that we give them a weekly breakdown, but the fear is that if say an actor isn't called on a Thursday and we change it and call him, he can give the reason that we changed it "last minute" on him; though I wouldn't change a Thursday schedule later than Tuesday.

And if I only give the next day, I'll get complaints from the parents (kids in show) saying that they need more notice.

Thoughts? The artistic staff is leaving it up to me, and I'm a bit indecisive. 

Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth

65

The Hardline / Re: Mandatory meetings with no contract

« on: Sep 13, 2013, 11:39 am »

I went to the meeting last night and I explained to the director that officially I'm not required to go to any meetings prior to my start date; which happens to be the first day of rehearsal (!)

She thanked me for being at the meeting last night and she now understands I won't be at any more meetings until the first day.

I'm aware that even going to these meetings was a mistake on my part.  Again I wish there was someone on the administration side of this company that would say "Methinks the stage manager should be brought on a wee bit earlier than the first day". 

Anyho, I'm sticking with the show. Here's hoping I know what I'm doing..

66

The Hardline / Re: Mandatory meetings with no contract

« on: Sep 10, 2013, 10:57 am »

I was not given any meeting dates prior to "signing" on.  The last two meetings have been production meetings and not design concept meetings. 
I also believe that I don't have a pre-pro week. Equity forwarded me a permission letter given to the company, and it lists my start date as the first day of rehearsals. I'm told I get my contract at the meeting this week, so here's hoping there's a pre-pro week.

I had a meeting with the director a few months ago.  She was under the impression that I would pick up some of the production manager duties. I informed her that I wasn't comfortable doing this. I told her I was very comfortable running everything inside the rehearsal space, but there needed to be someone who coordinate what was going on with regards to load in, shop schedule, budgets, etc. She understood. 
Who does a show of this size and scale without a production manager???

Right now I'm going to the meeting this week and listening to my gut. If I"m still feeling squishy, I might back out.  Under Equity I still have a few weeks to decide.

Thanks for the advise. I'll keep you posted.

67

The Hardline / Re: Mandatory meetings with no contract

« on: Sep 09, 2013, 04:04 pm »

This company does not have a production manager. Given the large scale musicals they produce, this frightens me.

68

The Hardline / Mandatory meetings with no contract

« on: Sep 09, 2013, 10:23 am »

I'm the SM on a guest artist contract for a company that I haven't worked with before.  Rehearsals do not start until next month,  and I do not have a signed contract.
So far I've been to two production meetings, and I wasn't able to make the third meeting. I get an email from the director saying that I need to be at all the meetings. Then I get an email with the next meeting scheduled, and that everyone's presence is mandatory.

Normally the theaters I have worked for had understood that Equity SM's can't attend the meetings until they have a signed contract, so I'm a little lost as to how I can approach the artistic director/director regarding this. I was aware that I was going to meetings knowing I didn't have a contract, but I'm surprised by her reaction when I couldn't go to a third meeting.
Anyone had this experience and was able to keep a good working relationship?

69

The Green Room / Re: VENT: The trouble with spouses, pets and couches

« on: Jul 24, 2013, 08:29 am »

I was single when my career took off.  For a while it was great to have all my belongings fit in the back of my car. As I got older I began to get lonely and wished I had someone to come home to.

About seven years ago I took the job that I currently have now. It's not as rewarding as stage managing a show but it provides fantastic benefits and steady hours. I made a ton of good friends, got married, and we recently bought a house.

I do wish that my career could be as satisfying as my personal life.  However at the end of the day you can't go home and snuggle with your career.

70

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Manager gone Actor? Bad idea?

« on: Jul 23, 2013, 10:12 am »

Go audition. The worst thing that happens is that you don't get a part but you now have the experience of auditioning.

71

Employment / Re: Leaving a difficult situation just before Opening...

« on: Jun 25, 2013, 08:57 am »

I think the producer/director drew that line when she announced to the company that you "refuse to do your job".

If you're ok with the fact that you will never work for this company again, leave. Chances are the company won't last that long if they go Equity.

72

The Green Room / Re: Production Haikus

« on: Jun 07, 2013, 12:56 pm »

Dear Baby Jesus,
Why can't people do their jobs
I am one, not many.

73

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REHEARSAL CONDITIONS: That summer smell

« on: Jun 03, 2013, 09:24 am »

When I was out in Lenox, we used sponge air fresheners. You put them in a corner and they are supposed to get rid of odor and get rid of some of the dampness.

It sorta worked. We kept 60 kids in a small room so there was only so much you can do.

Quick google search and I found this

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?sku=16266302&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CLn_iof-x7cCFfRQOgodSkcATw

74

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Can you earn a living? (2013 Research Data)

« on: May 16, 2013, 11:12 am »

Those are some painful numbers, and it wasn't like this when I started. 

75

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: Personal reasons NOT to do a show?

« on: May 10, 2013, 11:23 am »

I've worked on some controversial productions in the past, and I never backed out.

The only play that was squeamish was a world premiere about child molesters and why they do what they do.

It was poorly written, poorly directed, and poorly acted. Many people walked out. Why spend your Saturday afternoon watching a terrible play about a terrible subject?