Messages

91

The Green Room / Re: Being friends with other stage managers

« on: Jul 20, 2010, 05:01 pm »

I also think there, thinking over this thread I started, I am much better at being friends one on one with other stage managers when we have more in common then just being a stage manager.

Most definitely! Hypothetically I wouldn't force a friendship only because we do the same thing. If there's no basis for being friends other then circumstance, we probably wouldn't be friends if we weren't working in the same job.

92

The Green Room / Re: Being friends with other stage managers

« on: Jul 20, 2010, 11:00 am »

I did go a "stage manager party" once to try to meet more SMs and I didn't like the vibe...but I was also recovering from the flu at the time, so I'd be willing to give it a go again.

There is often a very cold, vicious, -deleted- attitude when there is a whole flock of us together.  I find meeting one on one with another Stage Manager is often better.  But even then, there is a lot of name dropping, project hyping, breast beating going on.

It's just interesting to note - as I now live in a city with a HELL OF A LOT of stage managers.

This was definitely my experience at one of 2 SM meetups I went to as well. I wasn't looking to compete, I really truly just wanted to meet people who did what I did! I didn't want to steal jobs, I wanted to LEARN from the people who had been in the city longer than I had (I had only lived in NYC a few months at this point), but there was so much posturing and standoffishness that is was very uncomfortable for me.

The 2nd meetup was much more friendly and low-key. We met at a Starbucks in Astor Place and just hung out. Great, friendly SMs.

Interestingly enough though, the bulk of my close friends here are stage managers. There has never been any animosity between us that I can tell, and we're pretty open with each other! We pass jobs, we cover for one another if someone needs a sub. We are friends first and foremost, and the best part is that we do the same job so we have a great support system of people who truly understand what you go through on a daily basis.

I would love to meet more NYC based SMs who are interested in knowing other stage managers. Even though there are so many of us, we really can be quite isolated in our work, and I think it would be great to have 'real life' people to connect with the same way we do on here.

(Edited for quoted language ~Tempest)

93

The Green Room / Re: What did you learn today?

« on: Jul 17, 2010, 02:13 am »

And on my end last night I learned that Blockheads at New World Plaza closes at 11:00 on weekdays 

BLOCKHEADS is right above my theatre . . . what were you doing in my neck of the woods.  Maybe it's time for SMNetwork NYC Gathering?

I had lunch there last Monday!

I think it may be time for a meetup!

94

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REHEARSALS: On Location in NYC

« on: Jun 25, 2010, 12:28 am »

As far as the props question - I find it pretty much the same as creating or obtaining anywhere else, but sometimes it takes some extra time to pick things up.

Also, something to consider is your rehearsal space: will you be the only group in there? Can you store props and other rehearsal materials there? This can greatly effect what you have in rehearsal when.

I don't have any work lined up for August currently, but I'm always up for a meet up!

95

The Green Room / Re: Vacation Suggestions

« on: Jun 09, 2010, 07:21 pm »

I spent New Year in Dublin and it was fantastic. Jury's Inn (the one at the Custom House Quay) was a great great great hotel.

Also Vancouver is amazing. Last Labor Day I did a road trip that started in Seattle and went up the coast and to Vancouver (and then back). Highly recommend that trip too.

96

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Anyone else using Google Sites?

« on: Jan 13, 2010, 11:04 pm »

I am currently out on the road as the lighting director for a national tour out of the Kennedy Center.   This year, they decided to set up a google site for the tour.   They have our schedule, tour manual, hotel list, etc posted on it.   Its stays pretty updated, so we can always check into it while we are on the road.    Its nice to have an easy way to check our physical paperwork to make sure it is up to date.   The only issue that we have noticed is that we have not figured out away for those of us on the road to "subscribe" to the page.  Ideally, if the office updates something, googlesites would then notify all of us that a change was made.  However, there does not seem to be away to do this.

So, yea.... so far so good.

I'm actually headed to DC this weekend to start my prep on the KC spring tour! I was thinking of setting up a googe site for sharing the same information. Is the site something that the office maintains or your SM? Is your SM Caroline by the way?

97

Tools of the Trade / Re: Google Wave - SMNetwork Sandbox

« on: Dec 11, 2009, 07:37 pm »

I'm on there, come find me! MarcieFriedman at gmail

98

The Green Room / Re: Trivia Tournament II: Electric Boogaloo

« on: Dec 11, 2009, 04:03 pm »

Was anyone else's "Sports, Easier" all UK related questions today?

99

The Green Room / Re: Holiday countdown!

« on: Dec 03, 2009, 01:32 pm »

Here goes:

0% holiday shopping done
20% holiday knitting done

16 days before my next show opens
20 days before I finally leave my hated day job
26 days before my trip to Dublin
36 days before my belated family holiday celebration
43 days before I head to my tour prep week
57 days before rehearsals for the tour starts

It looks like a busy few weeks when you list it like that!

100

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: New SM, working with a creeper, please help.

« on: Dec 01, 2009, 10:30 am »

We all know that sexual jokes and comments are a regular part of the job and nothing to get defensive about.

I'm going to respectfully disagree here. Sexual jokes and advances are NEVER a part of ANY job. Ever. In many instances the theatre work environment is much more casual than a corporate job setting, but that gives absolutely no one license to cross a line. If you feel uncomfortable with the things that this person says or does, then he has crossed a line.

Generalizations like the one above are what makes people think that it is OKto act inappropriately.

If he's making sexual advances towards you and you are shy to defend yourself, he's going to keep doing what he's doing.

But if he is crossing the line, he isn't going to know unless you tell him. Tell him seriously, sternly and to the point. Then walk away.

I do agree with this, to a point. If you don't let this person know that you're either a) not interested in them or b) want them to stop, he isn't going to do so. Is this person an adult or another student? If it's happening in a school setting and it's upsetting you enough to ask for advice from the folks here, maybe it's time to bring it up with an adult at the school. Bring it up again with your theatre teacher, and if they're dismissive of it, go to a counselor.

If you're not comfortable, it is not acceptable. Actually, this type of behavior is not acceptable at all.

101

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Just graduated and need advice terribly

« on: Nov 08, 2009, 05:52 pm »

Aaah,
I know it is been a while (a month) but I wanted to thank all of you that posted.  I did just what you said - the part about continuing to apply everywhere - and got an internship!!  It is in Ithaca, NY at Kitchen Theatre.  I don't know much about this theatre but am super excited.  It is only a 6-month internship, but once I am there I will continue to do the other part of the advice all of you gave me, the part about volunteering and trying to get in the back way.  Again, thank you everyone; I was almost beginning to despair.
Michelle

Hey congrats to you! I know someone who does a lot of work with the Kitchen - she's pretty awesome. I hope you enjoy Ithaca, it's a great town!

102

Employment / Re: Defining Work.

« on: Nov 05, 2009, 04:08 pm »

Defintely under professional. Just because you didn't get paid doesn't mean it wasn't professional work.

PS - HI KELLY!!!! How are you?!

103

Tools of the Trade / Re: Google Websites

« on: Oct 21, 2009, 03:19 pm »

This looks really lovely. I've been thinking about setting up something similar for my next show in January, which is a national tour comprised of deaf and hearing actors. I thought it would be a great way to make sure that the cast and crew on the road always have the same access that the production team back home has.

I'm going to set one up right now i think!

104

Employment / Re: Resume- seperating NY shows

« on: Oct 19, 2009, 05:32 pm »

I have NY credits, then "selected regional credits." within those are both SM and ASM credits. I live in the city, though, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

My resume is sorted exactly the same way.

105

The Green Room / Re: Trivia Tournament II: Electric Boogaloo

« on: Oct 14, 2009, 11:28 am »

8 out of 10 questions to day were either Yu-gi-oh or Dungeons and Dragons!