Messages

91

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Production Workshop

« on: Feb 13, 2008, 08:32 pm »

There are two threads from last year that you might find helpful -

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,2857.0.html

and

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,2365.0.html.

Some of what's covered is topics for people with a little more experience, but hopefully it'll be helpful as a jumping-off point.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

92

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Taking Notes

« on: Feb 08, 2008, 02:22 am »

If you're not in a position where someone can take notes for you, what about a tape recorder or digital voice recorder?

93

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Injured actor, no understudy

« on: Feb 06, 2008, 01:06 pm »

zayit: Is this in an educational or professional setting? 

It's an educational setting, but the theater department is "pre-professional", and they try to do everything as though it were a professional company.  So, I was wondering what would happen professionally in this situation.

94

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / RUNNING: Injured actor, no understudy

« on: Feb 06, 2008, 03:11 am »

I'm running sound for a production of As You Like It, and we've got an interesting situation on our hands.  I'm interested to hear what you all think about it.

Tonight (two days before we open), our Orlando was injured toward the end of the run, and went to the hospital with what sounded suspiciously like a broken rib - although I don't know any details yet.

It got me to thinking about what would happen if his rib was broken.  Of course, the show must go on - but the problem is that early in the play, there is a pivotal wrestling scene, the result of which is the cause of the rest of the plot.  It would be a hard scene to reconfigure for an actor who is unable to fight, and there are no understudies for this show (it's only a two-week run).

I'm not the SM here, so thankfully I don't have to deal with this in that capacity.  But given these circumstances (important fight, no understudy, actor unable to participate in said fight) I would love to hear some opinions on how to effectively deal with the situation as the SM.

95

Tools of the Trade / Re: i discovered the best SM/backstage shoes ever

« on: Feb 03, 2008, 04:07 am »

When I was in marching band we used Drillmasters (http://www.drillmaster.com), too.  They look a little dorkier than Dinkles because they have a rolled heel (the roll step is key in marching band, ha).

I love using these backstage because they are super quiet, but shanakathleen's right - they're not as comfortable for long days.

96

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: time filling

« on: Feb 03, 2008, 03:59 am »

If you're looking for helpful books, definitely check out this thread: http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,1417.0.html.

As for skills, I think there are a lot of things you could learn that aren't required for an SM to know but can be helpful - two that come to mind are simple sewing skills and CPR.

Also, if you don't know how to read music, this could be a great chance to learn.

97

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Drawing the line?

« on: Feb 03, 2008, 03:52 am »

Does your theater program have a stage management teacher, or someone who supervises the student SMs, or a PSM?  I would recommend meeting with someone who is your direct supervisor in that capacity, if there is such a person.  When I have trouble with faculty directors, it often helps me to discuss it with my advisor (the SM teacher), who can either help me figure out the best way to deal with it, or who can address the situation herself if boundaries are being crossed.

It sounds like you've already tried to talk to your director about the problems you're having, so bringing it to your supervisor is a good next step.  I don't know the specifics of how things work in your department, but it seems like some uncool things are happening here - using actors' rehearsal time to have them build props, having your ASM give tours, the poor communication, etc.

In the meantime, do your best to stand your ground, be an advocate for your actors, and keep us updated on how things go.  Hang in there!

98

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Visual Cues--Who's Responsible?

« on: Jan 26, 2008, 01:40 pm »

We think management has caught on because the director, technical director, production stage manager, and light/sound designer have been making regular visits to the booth during performances. Often times, the SM will take off the headset during the performance and ask us to watch the book while he "takes a break."

I'm wondering, did any of the people who visited the booth ever witness these "breaks"?

99

Employment / Re: North Shore Music Theatre

« on: Jan 26, 2008, 05:24 am »

I've never worked there, but I live in the area and know many people who have (including one of the new management members that Scooter mentioned) - they all love it.

100

The Hardline / Re: Who Locks Your Doors?

« on: Jan 26, 2008, 05:21 am »

I'm not sure what other contracts say, but in an SPT contract, SMs are specifically forbidden from opening or locking up the theater.

Granted, often it makes the most sense for the SM to do it anyway, since they are usually the first in and the last out, but it's food for thought.

101

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: SM&Acting

« on: Jan 25, 2008, 05:35 pm »

Personally, I wouldn't recommend it.  Not only will acting and SMing at the same time present problems during the run of the show (like your concern about how to call the show), but also in rehearsal (taking blocking notes, for example).

Besides the practical issues, I tend to see the SM and the actor as two separate entities who have very specific jobs in relation to each other.  In my experience, combining the two roles can lead to conflicts of interest -- for example, it's hard to remain neutral in a conflict between the director and an actor if you are also an actor.

If you do decide to take on acting and SMing, kmc is right - have a talk with your director about it first, and make sure everyone's on the same page.

102

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: "Lighting" Cigarettes?

« on: Jan 22, 2008, 12:39 am »

An empty Zippo will work great for our production, but I'm interested to see what other ideas there are out there, just for general knowledge (I think that's what kmc was asking about).

103

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Cabaret Prairie Oysters - thoughts and ideas?

« on: Jan 20, 2008, 02:46 am »

Similar to Celeste's post, but I saw a production that used ceramic cups and eggs that had been blown out - Sally cracked the egg on the rim and then opened it below the rim of the cup so that no one could see that the egg was empty.

104

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROPS: "Lighting" Cigarettes?

« on: Jan 17, 2008, 10:26 pm »

I'm getting started on a production of Blue/Orange, a show which includes several instances of characters lighting cigarettes onstage.  We already know that we can't use any kind of fire onstage.  Can anyone suggest a way to simulate lighting a cigarette in a way that still looks realistic?

The show is in a very small theater (50 seats).

Thanks!

105

Tools of the Trade / Re: Should I become a Mac-er?

« on: Jan 15, 2008, 02:31 am »

Ooh, I'd like to hear more about Office 08.  I've never really liked the Mac version of Office ... what changes have they made?