751
Self-Promotion / Re: Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
« on: Sep 04, 2012, 06:09 pm »
I am having a great time with it. If you have any questions that I might be able to help with, let me know!
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14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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752
Self-Promotion / Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
« on: Sep 03, 2012, 04:43 pm »
My current show, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, starts previews on Wednesday- PWYC on Wednesday night and Saturday matinee. If you're in the DC area I hope you can check it out- I really like this production and hope others do as well. It's a really exciting show- lots of fun and challenging elements.
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
by Rajiv Joseph, directed by Jeremy Skidmore
Round House Theatre
September 5 – 30, 2012
Interview with the playwright
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
by Rajiv Joseph, directed by Jeremy Skidmore
Round House Theatre
September 5 – 30, 2012
Interview with the playwright
753
Tools of the Trade / Re: The ultimate binder
« on: Aug 16, 2012, 09:15 pm »and today, the middle ring of the above binder I bought, refuses to connect all the way . . .
didn't make it two weeks.
Insert sad face.
Bummer! That sucks.
754
Tools of the Trade / Re: Style Question
« on: Aug 16, 2012, 03:38 pm »
I wear nice jeans or slacks, a top or button-down shirt, and usually a sweater or cardigan over. (Most of the rehearsal rooms I work in are cold.) Flats or loafers, not sneakers. Usually a little jewelry but rarely makeup. As an ASM, I take my cues from the SM. (I have worn sneakers as an ASM if I'm moving a lot of scenery or furniture).
I worked at an opera company where, in performance, ASMs were expected to wear nice dresses and heels to run the show. I had a really hard time getting used to that, but it was the culture there and it was expected. The PSM wore dresses and practical heels every single day- and to her credit she was able to do anything in heels, including moving heavy scenery.
I will sometimes bike to work and if I do I bring a second set of clothes.
I worked at an opera company where, in performance, ASMs were expected to wear nice dresses and heels to run the show. I had a really hard time getting used to that, but it was the culture there and it was expected. The PSM wore dresses and practical heels every single day- and to her credit she was able to do anything in heels, including moving heavy scenery.
I will sometimes bike to work and if I do I bring a second set of clothes.
755
Self-Promotion / Re: Coriolanus-Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
« on: Aug 10, 2012, 11:19 pm »
Have a great closing weekend, Dee!
756
Tools of the Trade / Re: The ultimate binder
« on: Aug 10, 2012, 02:35 pm »Maribeth - I just got this binder by mistake . . . I am intrigued.
The only thing I don't like is the side label is SO small on the spine, so not sure how to make it stand out on the shelf.
Otherwise . . . let us see how it lasts.
Also, kudos for making a binder last so long . . . I usually just get a new one every show.
The label part doesn't bother me since I usually archive shows in envelopes, but you're right, it is a small label.
757
Tools of the Trade / Re: The ultimate binder
« on: Aug 10, 2012, 12:19 pm »
I've never had any problems with the rings, and for me $15 for a binder that will last 5 years is not expensive at all.
758
Tools of the Trade / The ultimate binder
« on: Aug 09, 2012, 08:59 pm »
This week, while prepping my next show, I realized that I have been using the same binder for about 5 years and it's still going strong! (Five years is probably 25 shows.)
It's the 3" Staples Better View Binder- easy-open D-rings, the edges and joints are reinforced with rubber, and clear insert for the front cover. I love it and will probably replace it in a few years with an identical one.
Just thought I would give it a little plug since I'm getting so much use out of it.
Anybody else have a good one?
It's the 3" Staples Better View Binder- easy-open D-rings, the edges and joints are reinforced with rubber, and clear insert for the front cover. I love it and will probably replace it in a few years with an identical one.
Just thought I would give it a little plug since I'm getting so much use out of it.
Anybody else have a good one?759
Employment / Re: SM Typecasts
« on: Aug 06, 2012, 10:55 pm »
I don't think I can say that I've been typecast, but I do end up working on a lot of new plays. I think that's just been the luck of the draw though. I would like to work on more musicals and large cast plays- I would be really interested in doing more classical plays.
760
Self-Promotion / Re: King Lear - Trinity Rep / Dallas Theater Center
« on: Aug 05, 2012, 05:06 pm »
I love your Shakespeare list- a very impressive collection! Best of luck on the new production.
761
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Ideas & Opinions please
« on: Aug 02, 2012, 02:05 am »
Les- what you said just reminded me of something. Years ago, I shadowed a Broadway tour where the SMs kept each page of the score in sheet protectors- however, the cues were typed into the script already, the sheet protectors were in place to (believe it or not) protect the sheets from wear and tear. As an added bonus, the show had 3 SMs, who traded off calling the show, running the deck, and doing other things (having a night off, watching the show from the house, doing paperwork, etc) and the SM who was calling the night I shadowed told me that she was the newest member of the team, and she was able to make little notes to herself on the sheet protector to help her while she was learning to call the show.
(That book was HUGE).
This too. I keep the "cues" area in my script for rehearsal cues, and any preliminary cue placement that I'm able to do. I usually handwrite all my cues in during tech, and when I have down time transfer them to a digital calling script.
(That book was HUGE).
Though lately, my calling scripts have been electronic - and sometimes I make a combo electronic script with blocking and cues (though mostly just for staged readings). When you have two scripts, there really isn't a worry of your blocking getting in the way of your cues.
This too. I keep the "cues" area in my script for rehearsal cues, and any preliminary cue placement that I'm able to do. I usually handwrite all my cues in during tech, and when I have down time transfer them to a digital calling script.
762
The Green Room / Re: Moving on...
« on: Aug 01, 2012, 04:59 pm »
If you end up in DC, let me know. I'd be happy to answer any questions I can about living/working here. Best of luck with this transition to new things!
763
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Ideas & Opinions please
« on: Aug 01, 2012, 01:01 pm »
I think that clear sheet protectors are tricky to use for things like blocking, because they can get easily smudged or erased. (I can easily imagine losing a whole page of blocking by accident this way). That said, if you want to do it, try using one of those fine point Sharpies to write it on. It won't smudge or wipe off as easily, but when you do want it to come off, just write over top of it with a regular dry erase marker and then wipe off.
Here's how I organize my book to deal with the three things you mentioned (blocking, line notes, cues). On the left side of the book (I'm right handed), I have a page of text. I manipulate the text in Word to give me a 2 or 3 inch column to the left of it- this is where I put my cues. Keep this area clean of blocking notes and you should be able to read your cues fine.
On the text itself, I take line notes. I circle a line (or part of a line) when an actor makes a mistake and make a little notation about what kind of mistake it was (DL for dropped line, WW for wrong word, etc). When an actor gets the line correctly for the first time, I put a little check mark next to it. The second time, I erase the line note. (This saves me having to erase and rewrite the same note over and over, for the most part). These notes can either be given orally, or transferred to a line note form. It's also pretty easy to tell which lines they have trouble with the most frequently.
On the right hand side of the book, I have a blocking slip sheet, with the bottom right corner cut off. This lets me turn the page more easily, and because it's a separate sheet, it can be replaced if it gets too messy.
I think sheet protectors can be great for some things- I use mine to hold calendars, contact sheets, and other frequently asked documents at the front of my book for easy access, and sometimes for preshow checklists.
Here's how I organize my book to deal with the three things you mentioned (blocking, line notes, cues). On the left side of the book (I'm right handed), I have a page of text. I manipulate the text in Word to give me a 2 or 3 inch column to the left of it- this is where I put my cues. Keep this area clean of blocking notes and you should be able to read your cues fine.
On the text itself, I take line notes. I circle a line (or part of a line) when an actor makes a mistake and make a little notation about what kind of mistake it was (DL for dropped line, WW for wrong word, etc). When an actor gets the line correctly for the first time, I put a little check mark next to it. The second time, I erase the line note. (This saves me having to erase and rewrite the same note over and over, for the most part). These notes can either be given orally, or transferred to a line note form. It's also pretty easy to tell which lines they have trouble with the most frequently.
On the right hand side of the book, I have a blocking slip sheet, with the bottom right corner cut off. This lets me turn the page more easily, and because it's a separate sheet, it can be replaced if it gets too messy.
I think sheet protectors can be great for some things- I use mine to hold calendars, contact sheets, and other frequently asked documents at the front of my book for easy access, and sometimes for preshow checklists.
764
The Green Room / Re: Book Club?
« on: Jul 23, 2012, 03:33 pm »
If you're interested, there is a discussion thread about Edward Marston's "The Queen's Head" over here: http://smnetwork.org/forum/the-green-room/discussion-edward-marston's-the-queen's-head/ . I haven't read it myself but from the descriptions of others it sounds like a fun read!
765
Employment / SMs using an agent?
« on: Jul 16, 2012, 08:16 pm »
I was talking to an SM a few months ago who was about to start using an agent for representation. Does anyone here use an agent to find work? If so, what has your experience been like? I'd be interested in hearing any info you'd be willing to share.