Messages

76

The Hardline / Re: Script rewrites

« on: Oct 17, 2009, 11:31 pm »

On my last show (Much Ado), I took care of script changes largely because I wanted them for myself (and my PA had a hard time wrappign her head around keeping the pagination the same).  The director was content to just cross things out and write things in, but I knew some of my actors would like clean pages, and I certainly did.  In this case, it seems even more vague, as its something I'm choosing to do that I don't really have to.  Though, in full disclosure, I was working on the NEAT contract, so it wasn't nearly as many rehearsal hours per week as the LORT contract (though I was certainly going over my allotted hours in the contract).  I guess it comes down to my not caring about doing a few things above and beyond if they ultimately help me out in the long run. 

77

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Offshoot from Are you always completely honest?

« on: Oct 13, 2009, 03:57 pm »

I do.  It doesn't seem fair to me to call out other people's mistakes, and not my own.  Documenting it is great motivation for preventing it from happening again (this of course is true for other people's mistakes as well).

78

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ESCRIPTS Archive June 09-Dec. 10

« on: Sep 19, 2009, 12:01 am »

You can find all Shakespeare here: http://shakespeare.mit.edu/. 

79

The Green Room / Re: Where and when are you at your best?

« on: Sep 09, 2009, 03:14 pm »

I love tech, both when I'm calling the show and when I'm on deck.  It's just something about the pace, and working hard to keep so many people happy.

80

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Contact Sheets

« on: Aug 27, 2009, 11:52 pm »

I don't generally do separate contact sheets anymore (though I did in college).  At the theatres I've worked at, its seemed to be the standard that it is one main sheet.  I'd say it depends on the theatre.  If a place I worked at generally did two separate ones, I would adapt. 

I'm also in the camp that programs everyone into my cell phone, but I agree that this is generational as I lot of stage managers I've worked with don't (I'm 27).  I also put the rehearsal & performance schedule into my phone.  I just like to have everything in my pocket. 

81

Tools of the Trade / Re: Prompt Book Dividers

« on: May 14, 2009, 09:55 pm »

In an office supply store you should be able to find tabs like the kind that come on pre-made divider sheets (the clear or colored plastic with white insert) that have adhesive so you can attach them individually wherever you need them.  I personally prefer to just use the Durable Post-it Flags.

82

Tools of the Trade / mobile printer

« on: May 14, 2009, 01:27 am »

I have started to travel around a lot more recently for work, and I am looking into getting one of those little mobile printers.   I have known a few people who have the Canon ip-90, but that one is just so expensive.  HP makes one that's not as expensive....has anyone ever used that one?  Or others?

83

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Headset Etiquette

« on: Apr 04, 2009, 01:09 am »

Every cast member heard everything she said for hours.

I'm curious as to why someone who is in a position to be on headset would let something like that go on for hours.  Why didn't someone either tell the PSM that the com was essentially broadcasting backstage, or turn it down?

84

Tools of the Trade / Re: THE Sharpie topic

« on: Feb 25, 2009, 10:27 pm »

One of my favorite discoveries regarding a Sharpie was that you can "erase" it with rubbing alcohol.  It works on most hard surfaces, like plastic and mugs.

85

The Hardline / Re: How did you get your card?

« on: Dec 30, 2008, 03:27 pm »

I got my card last winter from a regional theatre where I had worked for several years starting as an intern.  I was in the middle of my second year as a PA (and in the middle of tech for a show), when I got a call from the production manager, asking me if I'd like to be bumped up and get my card to ASM the show going into the upstairs space.  I accepted, opened the show I was in tech for as PA, trained a replacement, and went right into rehearsal for the other show.  I felt like I was in a good place in my career to take my card, and so far it has worked out with consistent employment since then.

86

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Costuming the Crew

« on: Dec 17, 2008, 11:39 pm »

I've had a wide variety of costumes I've had to wear to crew shows.  The most common is some form of knickers or a big peacoat and a newsies cap (usually for Christmas Carol), but I've also had a full length Victorian nurse costume to for scene shifts during The Elephant Man.  My big problem with having the crew in costume is that often the director doesn't want to see headsets either.  A lot of the time you're doing something small, and it doesn't really matter, but there are also times where staying in communication is important and keeping the headset is a battle that must be won.

87

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Creating a Calling Script

« on: Dec 01, 2008, 07:15 pm »

Another thing that can be helpful (without an electronic script) is to use the copy machine to manipulate pages that might have a lot of cues, like the beginning or end of acts.  I find it helps to have a bigger chunk of white space to write in all the requisite begining stuff, like house to half, etc, so I shrink down first pages, if they're not already laid out that way.  I orient my calling script with the script on the right, and my cues in the right hand margin because I don't like to look across the binder rings for my cues.  The important thing to remember is that there's no right or wrong way to do it, just think about the various suggestions and see what makes it easiest for you.

88

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Understudy Track Paperwork

« on: Nov 04, 2008, 09:55 pm »

Here is an example of how I do it.  This has served me well for scheduled understudy rehearsals, and I've also been able to pull it together quickly from my entrance/exit plot for an emergency put in.

89

The Hardline / Re: LORT - Rehearsal Questions

« on: Oct 05, 2008, 01:22 am »

Actually, some actors like to have a more time between rehearsal and performance - go home, walk the dogs, take a nap, have dinner, and then go to the theatre.  (note, our rehearsal and performance venues are NOT in the same location.)

That has frequently been my experience as well, last season when I was working at at LORT theatre where nearly everyone was local.  They liked to go home and spend some time with their families before coming back to the theatre to do their show.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Ricola

« on: Aug 29, 2008, 12:21 am »

Ah, good to know. I haven't written this year yet.