Messages

76

The Hardline / AEA Lab or Staged Reading Contract - LOA to Off Broadway?

« on: Oct 25, 2012, 05:11 pm »

Hi gang -

The subject came up today, in session for one of my projects, of doing a "39 hour" reading. I've never heard about this (just the standard 29-hour readings.) Some sources tell me it's a tiered reading contract, referenced to the Off Broadway rulebook. Pays $300/Actor, and no health or pension contribution.

Does anyone have literature on or experience in this? A call to AEA is in the works, of course - but I'd love to know folks who've worked with this particular arrangement on the ground, so to speak.

Thanks, SMN!

77

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Bus and Truck

« on: Aug 17, 2012, 11:54 pm »

bemalk - I'm sending you a PM. Or... text me anytime

78

Tools of the Trade / Re: Style Question

« on: Aug 16, 2012, 11:59 am »

I'm really digging this thread... very interesting.

My take: I'm a young woman SM. Proud AEA member for years, live and work in NYC. There are shows for which I've worn slacks, pretty blouses or sweaters and dress shoes to rehearse (and to run); there are shows I've rehearsed in a summer dress and sandals. BalletPSM's point about the culture of the theatre/company - and I would add, each individual production - is well taken.

...And here's a situation to consider: On my current show, rehearsal room AC noise/efficacy was a concern. We were rehearsing in a warm room, in the middle of a hot July in NYC. I wore a skirt or dress every single day, save two when I wore bermuda shorts and a tank top. I got compliments on my attire, and also schlepped benches, tables, chairs, costume racks and boxes of props like a champion every day. No one batted an eye... and every person in the room has Broadway credits; the GMs (love 'em) always wear collared shirts, and I am absolutely a valued member of management.

That said, I did ask my PSM, before the first paid public performance, what attire was her preference for running the deck - and I faithfully wear long sleeves, pants, etc. to run shows. (Like the rehearsal room, our theater's AC can be finicky - backstage can get downright TOASTY!)

79

The Green Room / Re: What was the last nice thing someone did for you?

« on: Jun 29, 2012, 06:41 pm »

It's nearly 100 degrees in NYC today, and I'm double booked this week... and today, the train I take to work was having really serious delays, which is unusual.

I texted ahead to tell the ME, Sound Engineer and TD that I was running late.

The ME said he had something for me, when I arrived.

It is a big ol' bag of Dove chocolates :-D

80

The Green Room / Re: Ten Reasons to Date a Stage Manager

« on: Jun 12, 2012, 04:02 pm »

Yessy yes yes yes.

Especially #1 and #3.

81

The Green Room / Re: Introducing the Unicorn Rainbow Sparkly Theatre Company!

« on: May 30, 2012, 12:32 pm »

The theater is situated in a place with ample outdoor space (sheltered and open) so company members can be OUTSIDE even during tech, on 10s and meal breaks.

Large lockers are available to all employees, so workout and rehearsal clothes, picnic gear, snacks, meals, warmup and exercise tools, sunblock, toiletries and books can be kept on site.

The showers always have hot water, and never leak or spray water across the entire dressing room/restroom.

The trap room and other clean, quiet, well-ventilated spaces are equipped with dimmable lights... and have properly placed, weight-bearing hooks rated above 500lbs. along the walls. These hooks not only provide a way to elevate the cable runs from space to space, but are also used for nap time - when, in the course of an exceptionally long day, employees are encouraged to bring sturdy, safe hammocks to work, so they can rest during longer breaks.
 

82

The Hardline / Re: It Is Official

« on: May 25, 2012, 02:30 pm »

Congratulations, THANK YOU, and ONWARD!

You da best, VSM. So good to see you.

83

The Green Room / Re: Introducing the Unicorn Rainbow Sparkly Theatre Company!

« on: May 24, 2012, 11:07 am »

Well Nick, since you opened that one up....!

Contracts always arrive weeks before the first day of preproduction, properly signed by the appropriate parties.

All items discussed at the interview/in the deal memo are correctly represented in the rider and/or LOA.

Reimbursement for cell phone costs, ground transportation and personal technology is automatically rider'ed in, and the employment packet contains proof of insurance for all personal technology used in support of the production (your laptop, your MS Office license, your cell phone, iPod, speakers, iPad, video camera...) as well as a kit fee.

84

The Green Room / Re: Introducing the Unicorn Rainbow Sparkly Theatre Company!

« on: May 22, 2012, 12:22 pm »

All writing implements will be self-sharpening (and/or self-replenishing, as necessary).

The coffee setup will always be fully stocked with real and fake sweeteners, multiple types of cream/milk/soy, and it be immaculately clean. Mugs used by the company will magically wash themselves and return to their assigned hook or shelf, and paper cups will vanish, after 30 seconds of sitting anywhere unattended.

85

Self-Promotion / Re: I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti

« on: May 13, 2012, 01:53 pm »

Congrats! Looks like an exciting season for you and TheaterWorks, Scott.

But I'm dying to know... will Rob make his truly awesome lasagna for the show?

86

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Packing for a Summerstock

« on: Apr 03, 2012, 05:57 pm »

Not to complicate things further, but... it may help to think about how much you DON'T need to pack. Often, the move-in and move-out schedules in stock (and regional company housing, for that matter) are very tight, and the last thing you want to do is spend your first and final days wondering if you'll ever finish unpacking (or stuffing things into your car.) Also, know you'll probably have wonderful opportunities to collect the perfect sweater, handbag, work pants, tool belt, etc. while you're there, and will definitely want to bring it home with you... so allow yourself the space to bring back a great find, that also brings back great memories!

After spending about half of the last five years in company housing or traveling with a show, I've learned to pack so I can leave something behind or toss it out. In my case, that means ratty workout clothes, T-shirts I don't care about, and (occasionally) running shoes that should be recycled anyway. They're useful while I'm there, and when it's time to start packing, I drop off anything really useful at a Goodwill, and toss out the rest. (If you're responsible for any cleanup before you leave housing, an old T-shirt can be extra useful!)

It sounds like you'll be sharing housing with some colleagues, too - have you connected with anyone about kitchen supplies? Depending on the kitchen setup, it might be really helpful to sort out any large purchases or appliances. Does someone have a George Foreman grill they're comfortable sharing? Does someone have a knife set? What is provided, and what do you and your housemates feel is important to make the kitchen your own for the season? (A blender, for post-opening margaritas? An mini outdoor grill for s'mores?)

More than anything else - congrats on the gig, keep us posted, and have a fabulous time!

87

The Green Room / Re: Hell in a Handbag (A Game for Stage Managers)

« on: Mar 11, 2012, 11:49 am »

Do we need to see the time on the clock from FOH?
What, if any, sound should it make as it is wound?
Do we need amplification for ticking and/or winding effects?
Is the clock near a wall or other fixed scenic element, so we can run hard power to it, or will it be battery powered?
Will the clock need to be cued through LX, so the time changes in accordance with time in the world of the play?
When can we have a rehearsal clock that makes approximately the right sound, and has a key or knob of the right size and resistance?
Does Electrics need to meet separately with Props to discuss clock-rigging?


Brutus will carry a notepad.

88

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Managing for Disney

« on: Mar 06, 2012, 11:41 pm »

I worked for Universal Studios Hollywood. Not Disney, but in the LA world of theme park stage management, the two sites are often compared, and (when I was there) many young SMs applied for positions in both parks.

While the pleasures of working in theme park entertainment can be debated, it is a GREAT way to explore how big, sophisticated technology works in a live entertainment setting. No, it's likely you won't tech a show in this context, and you probably won't be called on to work closely with the actors, or even attend a rehearsal at all... which can feel like a serious departure from "straight" theater. That said, it's often one of the few opportunities an early-career SM can take to experience extremely high production values, where cost is no object for the producer.

89

The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork Presents: The Internship Survey!

« on: Feb 16, 2012, 09:58 am »

Kay - THANK YOU!!

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The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork Presents: The Internship Survey!

« on: Feb 15, 2012, 07:57 pm »

I've completed a review and it's not appearing... anywhere. Thoughts?