Messages

76

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Alertness

« on: Apr 15, 2008, 12:50 am »

If you're in a theater where you can see the audience from the booth, it's fun to keep an eye on more engaged audience members and their reactions.

Another fun thing to do is discuss the play itself on headset during longer periods without any cues.  When I ASMed The Threepenny Opera, we used to have in-depth conversations about why Macheath did this or Jenny did that.  If you're able to watch the show and chat at the same time, it's a great way to keep alert.

77

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Tips and Tricks: Raked stages

« on: Apr 12, 2008, 11:03 am »

This may seem obvious, but chances are you're going to be rehearsing in a flat rehearsal hall.

During rehearsals, keep asking yourself (and your director), "Will this work on the rake?"  I found it more important for stage combat and for things like wheeled furniture or props that can roll off the stage.  (Like kmc said, it sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people will forget about the rake entirely.)

78

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Co-Stage Manager Rant/advice

« on: Apr 05, 2008, 10:43 pm »

In addition to the excellent advice above, seriously do try to give yourself a break.  It sounds like you're doing everything you can in this situation, and it's not easy to step in and call a show that you're less familiar with, especially a musical with so many cues in it.  Definitely keep practicing, and try not to get discouraged.  We in this community know how difficult calling a show can be, even if you are familiar with it, but not everyone understands.

And, definitely give your professor some feedback on how the experience overall has been for you.

79

College and Graduate Studies / Re: What Major?

« on: Apr 05, 2008, 02:41 am »

You might want to look into liberal arts schools that have Theater Arts majors.  At my school, theater majors can choose a track (stage management is one), or they can create their own based on their interests.  It sounds like that sort of major might be what you're looking for - if you want to study a little bit of everything related to theater, it's the way to go.

You definitely don't need a degree in stage management to be a professional stage manager, but if you think it's a career you might like to pursue, make sure that your school has lots of opportunities to SM.  That way you can get some experience without necessarily focusing all your attention on it, academically-speaking.

80

Employment / Re: Non-AEA Resume Semantics: Dishonesty or Acceptable?

« on: Mar 29, 2008, 02:29 pm »

What about non AEA houses that hire SM interns to Stage manage there shows?  Technically I was a SM intern for a theatre but that had me actually Stage manageing shows.  Can I put down that I was the SM on those shows even though I was an intern for the company?

I think that's okay.  I was in a similar situation - interning, but as part of that I legitimately stage managed one show and ASMed two.  I listed those shows and the jobs I did, and I also listed elsewhere that I had interned at this company.  What's important is that what you put on your resume is an accurate description of the job you did.

81

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Set Modifications the SM's responsibility?!?!?

« on: Mar 29, 2008, 02:26 pm »

In my experience, it's absolutely the TD's responsibility, and it would be unreasonable of him to expect an SM to have the technical know-how to do it.  In the professional world, knowing how to properly and safely fix a set is the TD's domain, and it's not a part of the SM's job description.  In fact, if an SM tried to make a major set repair himself, he'd probably get into trouble with the TD.

You said this TD is a professor?  I'm shocked to hear that a faculty member would have said something like this.  Do you have a faculty advisor, or someone who supervises the SMs?  I would bring this to them, and see what they think.

Also, definitely talk to your TD.  Keep the conversation professional, and explain to him that you don't feel qualified to modify the set, and the reason you asked him to do it is because he knows how to do it safely.

Let us know how it goes!

82

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Attention serious stage management students! Want to study abroad?

« on: Mar 21, 2008, 07:09 pm »

Rutgers is sending their BFA SMs to London next semester (Fall '08) to study at the Globe Theatre, and they have a couple of open spaces to fill.  Any college student who is serious about stage management can apply.  More info about the program here:  http://www.masongross.rutgers.edu/Theater/theglobesm.html

PM me for more info about applying - I am going on the program and I am so excited!  I can put you in touch with the right people if you're interested in going too.

83

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Schedule project

« on: Mar 15, 2008, 03:55 am »

Check out this thread on the Uploaded Forms board - there are lots of good examples there!

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,1107.0.html

Good luck!

84

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Help with resume

« on: Mar 13, 2008, 02:40 am »

I definitely recommend looking at the resume database on this site (the link is near the bottom of the homepage, under "File Cabinet") to see a variety of formats.

There's no standard - as long as your resume is easy to read, clear, and concise, you'll be fine!  Also, if you search the word "resume" on this site, you'll find lots of old threads that you might find useful as you create your own resume.

Good luck!

85

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Blocking...

« on: Mar 06, 2008, 03:23 am »

You might find Didaskalos's blocking notation cheat sheet helpful (http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,1884.0.html).

Basic blocking is pretty easy, once you get the hang of following the script and watching the actors at the same time.  The notation is up to you, as long as you can understand what you've written later.  Some SMs like to draw pictures; I prefer to write it out in words unless there are a ton of people onstage.  Whichever works for you is great!

I feel like it's easier to show a blocking script than to try to explain it, so I've attached a page from my Angels in America script.  You can see that the numbers on the script side correspond to the actors' movements.  I like to use odd numbers so that I can go back later and add in more blocking if I need to without having to change all the numbers.  Figure out a system of abbreviations that will work for you so that you can write quickly and legibly.

Blocking for musicals can be a little trickier because of choreography.  As the SM, you aren't responsible for writing down the specific choreography steps - instead, I usually just draw little pictures of where everyone is onstage, especially entrances and exits.

Finally, the best advice I can give you is to not worry if you miss something!  The scenes will undoubtedly be rehearsed multiple times, and it's easy to fill in the gaps the second time around.

Good luck!

86

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: I have an ASM for the first time....what do I do with him???

« on: Mar 03, 2008, 12:49 am »

In addition to everything Britney said, you might find these two threads helpful:

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,1473.0.html

and

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,2601.0.html

87

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: ALL-STATE AUDITIONS...i cant spell...

« on: Feb 24, 2008, 03:10 pm »

Yeah, a portfolio might be an entire promptbook, where a smaller folder of your paperwork would be more appropriate here.

I agree with StageMgr2Stars about not bringing designs.  I would say bring things like scene breakdowns, cue lists, etc., and maybe a couple of busy pages from a calling script.

88

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: so nervous!

« on: Feb 21, 2008, 07:36 am »

Don't be sorry - being nervous when you don't know what's going on is totally understandable!

I highly doubt that anyone will expect you to be Tech Extraordinaire, since your title is "Non-Technical General Assistant."  Since you won't be needed until later next week, they probably just need an extra set of hands to help move boxes or something like that.  Just remember, if anyone ever asks you to do something that you don't know how to do, just tell them that you haven't been trained in area.

Calling your production manager again might not be a bad idea - let him know that his cell was spotty the last time you talked, and tell him you'd like to know more about what will be expected of you this weekend. 

Also, try talking to other people at your Uni who have done the festival before.

Most importantly, DON'T WORRY!  You'll be fine, I promise!  Try not to stress out about the upcoming weekend - you will probably have a lot of fun!

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

89

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Searching for summer activities.

« on: Feb 20, 2008, 08:53 pm »

Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier, VT is looking for summer SM interns.  I had a great experience last summer and this summer I'm going back as their PSM.  PM me for more details if you're interested!

90

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: I'm an amateur and I'm working with a professional

« on: Feb 17, 2008, 11:57 pm »

I'm with sievep.  This sounds like an amazing opportunity for you!

Definitely keep us updated - this site can be a great resource. 

I'm sure you'll do great!