Messages

91

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Hispanic Theatre and Stage Managers

« on: May 22, 2006, 05:40 pm »

I am a Spanish and Theatre major in college right now...so I am looking forward to working in Spanish theatre.  I will also be studying abroad in Spain and hope to maybe get into something for the year that I'm there.  I think it's an excellent tool to have.. and that is interesting about AEA.

92

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Outdoor Theatre - Basic Information

« on: May 22, 2006, 12:16 pm »

I work every year as PSM on a production called Shakespeare on the Green in Wilmington, NC, and it is in a beautiful ampitheatre with a lake in the background and trees everywhere.  We are doing Loves Labours Lost this year, and the show runs every weekend in June.  It's an interesting experience.  Of course you have to adapt to the weather.  You have to make sure that all of the set is in good shape before every run, which includes making sure that there is nothing hazardous on the stage.  You also have to take good care of the equipment to make sure that it doesn't get damaged.  As we all know, if it rains it pours, so you have to prepared at any moment.  It's really a fun experience becuase you get to be outside and enjoy the outdoors!

93

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / What to do After the Show Closes

« on: May 15, 2006, 11:02 pm »

I'm doing the show at Thalian Hall in Wilmington, NC which is one of the oldest theatres in the country.. beautiful place.  It's been a great ride.. and the cast is so appreciative of me which means a lot for a Stage Manager.. as I'm sure all of you know!

And yes!

Everybody cut, everybody cut... everybody cut, everybody cut.. everybody!..everybody!..Everybody cut Footloose!!!

94

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / What to do After the Show Closes

« on: May 15, 2006, 07:01 pm »

I've been working on Footloose since March.  We opened this past weekend and have one more weekend to go.  The cast and I are all so upset that it's over because we have gotten so extremely close.  It's so hard to say goodbye isn't it? We made a Group page on Myspace so that we could all keep in touch with one another and that sort of thing.. it's eased the pain a little lol!

95

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Hospitality backstage

« on: May 12, 2006, 01:35 pm »

I work with Thalian Association in downtown Wilmington North Carolina, which is one of the oldest theatres in the country.  It's a pretty cool place.  The main stage is reserved for popular mainstage musicals. What SM's like myself usually do here is assign two cast members a night to clean up and make coffee/tea/etc. for whatever the actors want.  Granted if you work for a LORT/AEA company this is not practical, but for us it works really well.  Obviously the house manager and the people who work at Thalian Hall provide all of the refreshments for the audience, but here we get the cast to help out as well because when you're in situations like myself with no ASM and a huge cast to deal with, it's virtually impossible to spend my time before the show making hospitality drinks backstage.  It also depends on the company as well I think...considering that the majority of the casts here I've encountered just bring their own drinks/coffee/etc.

96

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Calling a HUGE Show... HELP!!!!!

« on: May 11, 2006, 12:01 am »

So... the show that I posted this about opens tomorrow night.  I just made it home from final dress, and I have to say THANK YOU to all of you who wrote comments.  I called every single rail, light, and sound cue almost perfectly tonight with only a few miniscule problems...which is good considering that most of the time if you have a fabulous dress then there are problems on opening night!  It wouldn't have been possible without the help and guidance I've received from here.  So thanks so much everyone, I feel so amazingly calm and confident with calling this show now and I can't wait to open tomorrow night.

97

Employment / stage management college degrees

« on: May 03, 2006, 11:24 pm »

I am going now for my B.A. in Theatre, and then am going to get my M.F.A. in Stage Management next year. I have mixed feelings because the job of a Stage Manager cannot be taught; it has to be learned through practice.  However, at the same time, I don't feel as though the experience I've had thus far will get me to where I want to be, which is why I'm taking the grad school plunge.  I know a variety of SM's, some have degrees and some don't, and all are just as great.

98

Students and Novice Stage Managers / How to ASM

« on: May 01, 2006, 12:36 pm »

Talk to the Stage Manager and see what they expect from you.  That should be the person you report to the most, as your job is to assist them.  They should tell you what they need, what they expect your responsibilities to be, etc.  If they haven't told you, ask.  Ask what they expect from you during rehearsals, during tech week, and during the run of the show.  Also, if you see that they need help with something and don't ask for it, go ahead and attempt to help them out.  Do everything you can to make their job easier.  It's hard to be an ASM because sometimes there is nothing for you to do, at least in my experience.  However, it also depends on the stage manager.  Best of luck!

99

SMNetwork Archives / Calendar Programs?

« on: May 01, 2006, 12:32 pm »

If you use a Mac, the iCal is a fabulous tool to make a variety of calendars.  You can also use the Yahoo calendars, as stated above, or even go to download.com and type it calendars.  There ar a variety of useful programs.

100

Tools of the Trade / The comfort of a featherweight headset

« on: Apr 28, 2006, 05:37 pm »

A Lighting Designer has a great headset that she carries around with her everywhere in this cute little silver lunchbox thing haha! It's so cute.  I'll find out what kind hers is.  I've used it before.  It's super light weight, has a slim microphone and the piece around your head isn't huge and bulky.  I'll find out who it's made by and where you can check it out.

101

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Prop tracking for a large show

« on: Apr 26, 2006, 10:09 pm »

Find out what your limit is on what you can buy.  I've found that it helps a lot to go to old thrift stores, goodwill, dollar stores, salvation army etc.  The most important thing is to be resourceful.  If it's something you couldn't possibly buy, find a way to make it.  If you need a large amount of something, try contacting a place most specific to your needs.  For example, in my current production, we need 34 matching hymn books, so we contacted a local church and they were willing to loan things to us.  Also, talk to your Producer and see if these people can have an ad in the program or get a special thanks.  That may encourage them to donate even more.

102

College and Graduate Studies / undergrad programs

« on: Apr 19, 2006, 10:45 pm »

Although Wilmington, NC is not as big as cities like San Francisco, I think you could get the best of both worlds here.  There are over a dozen companies in downtown Wilmington to work with, as well as academia.  We are also getting a brand new $32 theatre building this fall, and are going to start repertory and a variety of other things.  We will have the best facilities in the state of North Carolina, even surpassing UNC Chapel Hill and Playmaker's Repertory.  If you are interested in somewhere like UNCW, let me know and I'll give you all of the information you need.  It's also nice because if you want to Stage Manage, you can have your fill.  I'm virtually the only one in the department..  It's not a huge university but definitely has a lot to offer.

103

College and Graduate Studies / Anyone been to U/RTA's?

« on: Apr 17, 2006, 10:32 pm »

U/RTA is University Resident Theatre Association, and is basically a huge Grad School interview process for about 35 grad schools.  You can go for acting, design, or stage management.  They do offer other programs, but it's mostly for Graduate School.  You go to either NYC, San Francisco or Chicago and interview for these schools, and then find out whether or not you are accepted.  You can go online at www.urta.com and check it out for more information.

104

The Green Room / SMs in media?

« on: Apr 17, 2006, 12:31 pm »

I did a show last summer called Durang 6, where we did 6 short plays by Christopher Durang.  We did Actor's Nightmare, and in the beginning there is a 'Stage Manager' part who is getting the set ready for the 'performance'.  I loved watching this because it was just so fun to see the role of a stage manager played as a part. It's always so fun to see productions or films where they are stage managers.  It makes you feel special and appreciated!

105

Students and Novice Stage Managers / independent show/problems with director

« on: Apr 16, 2006, 10:12 pm »

Since you are doing this as a favor, I would go talk to the Director and just let him know what your situation is.  Be courteous, but upfront.. and explain your lack of time and how you do have school as well.  I agree that a paper tech may be a waste of time.  I would just explain the situation and then just say that you need the script and you need the information to do the show.  If you aren't given the information, then obviously you can't do your job..and since I'm sure they want a good show, they should then give you what you need, like the script.. those are kinda important huh?!  Talking out your situation will also show that you're serious and you'll do what you need to get the job done, but you also don't have time to just wait around.