Messages

76

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: PROMPT SCRIPT: How do you divide a rectangular stage up?

« on: Feb 09, 2016, 12:52 am »

But don't overthink it. If no one else can understand it - even with the help of a key - then it's pointless.   

Also, talk with the director ahead of time about what to call areas. No sense you calling it "Platform 1" if they're calling it something else. And then label it that decided-on description on the floor. Especially good for entrances/exits if you know where the masking legs are held. Everyone immediately knows where "Wing 2" is.

77

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: CALLING: Calling a group of stoodby cues

« on: Feb 09, 2016, 12:47 am »

You could also have something like "Sound is with the third light cue" in your standby. Also, after a tricky sequence, both for my own sake and the board op, I might add a final "we should now be in LQ 35." (Sorry, I tried to type LX, but as it's not a term I use, I just couldn't!)

78

The Green Room / Re: Italian Actor Brain Dead After Hanging

« on: Feb 09, 2016, 12:41 am »

This had the most info I'd seen yet, but still leaves so much to be questioned. Everything seems to say he reportedly changed the end of the scene from a gunshot to a hanging. You can't just decide that, as we all know. Oy.

79

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: How many times have you Stage Managed the same play/musical?

« on: Jan 27, 2016, 11:18 am »

I did Christmas Carol first when I was 8 years old, playing Fan. My parents bought me an annotated illustrated version of the book, and I proceeded to have everyone from the production sign the book wherever they liked. Some took the big center illustration of Fezziwig's party. I myself in my 8-year old large handwriting - complete with smiley face dotting the i - signed my own name right by Fan's part. I've continued to have people sign the book for each production I've done. And then I try to read it through again every year.

When I've done musicals, I've also had people sign a book of the sheet music, though not every time. And it really makes those sheet music pages come alive when I pull it out at the piano again years later.

As for doing the show itself, I used to work on a large Christmas touring show for sometimes 100+ performances a year, for 5 years. You still found ways to enjoy the show, whether the bits you'd do behind the scenes (never noticeable by the audience, but to keep the performers happy), the joy of meeting an old friend for the first time every year, the joy of getting to know new people every year. The "knowing what you're getting into" with some people and the new ways to figure things out and improve each year. The fact that the paperwork doesn't have to be started from scratch when you've got a basic premise to start with, etc, etc. It's nice to put the show away at the end of each year, but also nice to know what you're getting into.

And now that I've returned to the world of freelancing for the first time in a long time, I'm enjoying when I see a show on the job listing that I have already done. Goes right into my cover letter with specifics on some moment or feeling about the show, and hopefully puts me closer to the top of the pile.

[And I like PSMKay's comparison to that every-December ritual, too.]

EDIT: Guess I should list some of the multiples I can remember.

Grease -just remembered I did 3 versions if you count the one I was in the orchestra
Guys and Dolls - 2
Anything Goes - 2
Oklahoma - 3 (once in it, once stage managing, once on the marketing team)
Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 5 years touring
My Fair Lady - 2
Music Man - 2
Spent 9 1/2 years working in the education and community department of an opera company, with a rotation of about 10 productions, plus a slew of one-off concerts
Christmas Carol - 3

Erin

80

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COSTUMES: How involved do you get with costumes and wardrobe?

« on: Jan 27, 2016, 11:08 am »

I am used to providing a character/scene breakdown (including page and location of entrance/exits) or a who/what/where, and often both as the first gives you the overall picture and the second gives exact timing, location, and room to list what they're carrying and changing to/from.

However, at the current theatre, the costume shop manager has a very detailed document she likes that she has stage management create most of, including if there's time WE are putting all of the costume pieces into it. Most detailed work my team has ever had to do. My last show no one did a final tally but we had 17 actors in somewhere between 100 and 130 costumes.

It all depends on the theatre and the people.

Erin

81

The Green Room / Fun show report from today (during playoff season)

« on: Jan 10, 2016, 10:20 pm »

This picture has already made the rounds on Facebook. It's attributed to PSM Kim Fisk and I'm told by another stage manager it's from the Book of Mormon tour which was playing in Seattle today.

Text from within the photo (which I'm not sure I'll figure out how to attach properly - I can't get the image to embed):

PERFORMANCE NOTES:
What a start to the matinee today! It timed out that Minnesota missed the field goal that lost them the Playoffs Wild Card spot to the Seahawks right as we ran our pre-show announcment. The crowd erupted into cheers and dancing and chanting and needless to say we had to hold for a couple of minutes. But it did put the house in great spirits for the show and they cheered for us too, as we began. Sloppy seconds, but we'll take it! And they stayed engaged and appreciative the whole afternoon.
Signers today.
Standing ovation.

82

Introductions / Re: Career Standby, career....go!

« on: Jan 09, 2016, 06:57 pm »

Welcome!

There's no "right" order to start things, but I'd say you have two areas to focus on - one getting yourself ready, and one gathering what info you can from others. See who else has info of anyone else involved besides the actors - designers, technicians, etc, for the same contact sheet. Also, has anyone started a calendar?

As for yourself, go back through the script and start making yourself a breakdown of whatever is helpful to you. Props, scenery, costumes, sounds mentioned. Go back again through and work on a scene breakdown for actors - or even just yourself to tab out the script for what locations are which scenes. These two items will be most useful to then after you start working with everyone else and you'll have a decent handle on the show itself. I often have those two things at least in rough format before I actually start communicating with the director. He/she may have their own breakdowns (yay! - better to just see if you have the same things), but again, you'll know more what you're discussing.

And continue to poke around here for lots of ideas.

Good luck!
Erin

83

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TOURS: Tips for Packing?

« on: Dec 21, 2015, 02:52 am »

I, too, referred to this list recently as I was prepping for my first out-of-town multiweek gig (one city) in years. Here's most of this trip's list, and I have to say, it's some of the "home-y" touches that help the loneliness:

• two different microwaveable heat packs, one for work and one for housing, for both cold feet and sore muscles (including co-workers').
• Fuzzy/furry blanket - there was nothing "comfy" in this hotel room, so had my husband ship the blanket I debated packing from the beginning. Others bring their own pillow, this was my comfort piece (and sometimes doubles as a pillow). I did bring a travel pillow for the plane, too. I also splurged on space and brought my LL Bean furry slippers and love them.
• Lightweight robe - per another stage manager's advice, I got one that can double as swimsuit coverup and lightweight jacket
• clothing that was interchangeable for different outfits - I know me and get bored: variety of turtlenecks, a few jackets, many scarves and pendants - and since it's cold, one crocheted scarf in particular that can double for fashion or functional uses. Don't forget "comfy" stuff for hotel in your attempt to pare down and one "dress up" outfit (still pretty casual, but a dress), and something to exercise in (so you at least don't have that excuse NOT to do it - I also packed my yoga mat)
• swimsuit - not for my housing, but did get a daytrip to Chicago where I could use it at that hotel
• A very few office supplies - mechanical pencils, silly pencil holder I have, "Enjoy Life: This is Not a Dress Rehearsal" oversized button, a straight edge I like to use to follow in my script...kinda wish I'd brought my own nice hole punch
• theatre items - my lightweight headset, my Littlite, binoculars (very high booth), personal run belt (made for me - can attach anything/everything to it, including belt pack) and minimag
• two sets of phone chargers, plus extra battery power and car adapter, also handsfree earpiece for car
• I'm a "holiday" person, so I brought a select number of Halloween/fall decor, and had a box ready for my husband to send of select sentimental Christmas items
• kitchen items - steamer basket, egg slicer
• a few framed photos, a personal journal, a little homemade bowl my father made which I keep my ring in every night, a couple books, earplugs, blueblocking glasses (for nighttime to fall asleep faster),  a reusable lightweight shopping bag, power multistrip, laundry bag/basket, a couple lingerie bags for washing
• I do a craft project of papercutting - I knew I could get paper, but brought my Exacto and small mat and was able to make something for my Secret Santa gift during downtime
• And if you know me, of course I brought Eeyore...plus my Jibba Jabba (best stage mgmt stress toy ever)

Also, my husband visited for a couple days and managed to leave a partial tube of his toothpaste. Have to say, I kinda like it sitting in my bathroom still.

I've now bought "command hooks" during this trip, and think I'll keep them for future trips. Also recommend some "Tupperware", whether purchased after you get there or scrounged from other sources (locals/restaurants). My husband also brought our small luggage scale, and I'm definitely going to need it for the end of this trip for reference.

I also had 2 packing cubes already, and they have been helpful (had all my scarves neatly in one, for example), but they're emptied now since I'm just in one city.

Other than the blanket shipped, all of this fit on the plane with me (Southwest - 2 free 50 lb bags).

Erin

84

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Report/Notes Language

« on: Dec 21, 2015, 01:53 am »

Interesting discussion. I guess I've also thought the same unconsciously. I say, "No notes." Though at the very end of the entire report, I say thanks before "signing" my name. And I don't respond to everything the other departments do in response to previous notes, but things like repairing a thing we didn't think could be fixed get a "thank you" for sure.

85

The Green Room / Re: Facebook Group for SMNet members

« on: Dec 10, 2015, 05:41 pm »

I've been keeping an eye on the person in question for quite a while myself, and noticed the same things. Then I found someone who had worked with him. Let this be a lesson to all....

Sorry to see the group go, but understand.
Erin

86

The Hardline / Re: 10 out of 12s Meal Break Question

« on: Nov 25, 2015, 12:25 am »

So, I'm working SPT 9 right now and we're allowed two 10 out of 12s. Got the one figured out, but don't actually have enough hours in the week to add a true 2nd 10 out of 12 in the same week. Would I be able to do an 8 out of 10 at all instead of the 7 out of 8 1/2, and somehow count in being "okay" for the 2nd 10 out of 12? (And even my brain just got confused with that question...)

This theatre had been a Guest Artist contract previoulsy and evidently 8 out of 10 was the standard before, and the original planning calendar I received had 2 hour dinner breaks for tech (and sometimes had 3 hours, which we changed, as it totally screwed up span of day). I got us to a 7 out of 8 1/2 but it really didn't work well for the crew's break.

Erin

87

Self-Promotion / Re: My Fair Lady - Skylight

« on: Oct 23, 2015, 10:18 pm »

Hmm. If I had seen this earlier in the day, I could've given you a 25% off ticket that was good until 9 pm. I don't know of any industry night at this point, no.

I'm looking at getting a drink night together sometime, too, so stay tuned!

Erin

88

Self-Promotion / My Fair Lady - Skylight

« on: Oct 23, 2015, 12:01 am »

I've finally made the leap BACK into freelancing, after being at my previous position 9 1/2 years with only a few off-site gigs between.

Just started prep week at the adorably European-style intimate Skylight Music Theatre (formerly known as Skylight Opera) in Milwaukee. My Fair Lady runs Nov. 20-Dec. 27. I'll also be back for Crowns in February/March.

Erin

89

The Green Room / Re: Last Call for New Questions for the Stage Manager Survey

« on: Oct 16, 2015, 11:33 pm »

Hi David,

Always fun to see the results. Some quick random possibilities are:

I can't remember - have there been questions on how you write your cues (if in a paper script), as in strictly penciled words, colored small dots, colored dots that you can write on, post-it flags, post-it stickers....if any of the latter, do you pre-print any text on them ahead of time?

Do you take notes on computer during rehearsal, or compile them from paper later? Do you send the report embedded in the email or as an attachment (or both)? How many people still do hard copied reports?

Do people generate their own paperwork from own office programs and email vs use a prepared "system" like Propared and the like?

Agree  on the older SM demographics.

How much do you work in the same town/state vs travel?

Generally how many stage management are on your team? How often do you also run a light and/or sound board as SM?

Erin

90

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROMPT SCRIPT: Assistant Stage Manager Paperwork

« on: Oct 02, 2015, 12:20 am »

Glad to see someone mentioned about being able to stand in for an understudy (or more likely in my case, someone who's missing for a rehearsal - especially for operas with principals rehearsing separate from chorus separate from supernumeraries).

Another reason to know some of the blocking - "light walkers" are often needed to set lighting looks, and it goes a lot quicker if you already know approximately where someone stands for that moment. The SM can adjust you slightly if needed, of course, and it may be done by someone who's never seen the show before, but as ASM you look a lot more competent if you know what they're talking about.