Messages

91

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

« on: Feb 07, 2008, 05:02 pm »

It's the extra pair of fresh clean socks to change into 1/2 to 3/4 of the way through the 12 hour day that makes all the difference.

Amen, brother.

92

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

« on: Feb 06, 2008, 08:16 pm »

I once SM'd a show when one of my actresses was hit by a car riding her bike on the way to the theatre on opening night. She was shaken and bruised but otherwise fine. I alerted the director and producer, and together, (with the actress) it was decided that the actress would perform. We held a short re-blocking rehearsal, as there was a lot of physical movement, writhing under tables, running around, etc. We opened on time and the producer mentioned it in the curtain speech. The actress received a very warm round of applause.

93

Tools of the Trade / Re: S.M.Arts Conference in Toronto

« on: Jan 30, 2008, 05:29 pm »

Is that $560.00 Canadian?

94

The Hardline / Re: Who Locks Your Doors?

« on: Jan 26, 2008, 05:29 pm »

Where I am now (and the last few theatre I have worked at) the doors lock automatically and everyone uses a fob or key card to get in.

The best of all possible worlds...

95

The Hardline / Who Locks Your Doors?

« on: Jan 25, 2008, 08:24 pm »

This is a thought spawned by the "Cleaning the Greenroom" thread. Is the locking of exterior building or interior theatre doors considered building maintenance?

Who's responsible for keeping your theatre secure?

96

Tools of the Trade / Re: Spike corners

« on: Jan 09, 2008, 04:30 pm »

I love the spike corners, been using them for about 6 years. Lotsa colors and precut! My only complaint is that with larger scenery pieces, they do tend to come up faster than regular spike tape, unless you glue them or tape over them with cellophane tape. I also use them to hang up signs around the rehearsal hall and theatre.

97

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Grad Schools for SM... tuition stipend?

« on: Jan 05, 2008, 04:47 pm »

As a graduate of the University of Iowa, I will second that. I was the LX RA for three years and that totally paid my tuition.

98

The Hardline / Re: Cleaning the greenroom

« on: Jan 02, 2008, 05:24 pm »

Amy...I should have clarified my answer. I fully understand what duties are "prohibited" and what are "approved" and I certainly wasn't suggesting that Justin "go behind Equity's back to hide it." Even though the specific duty of janitorial service is prohibited, it's not inconceivable that Justin, or another SM in a similar sitaution, might ask for compensation. Our contracts are always negotiable, in my opinion, as I do not believe any of us exempt from liberal readings of rules for the benefit of all involved. That is how we remain protected from unscrupulous producers and we ourselves continue to contribute to maintain our rights. I am, however, completely against setting precedents that are vulnerable to abuse, as this situation might blossom.

Again, this leads me to the concept of a SM revolution . . . what if all stage managers were only to work the maximum number of hours allowed on the contract, billed for overtime, and ONLY did what was allowed by their contract.

It'd be like winning the lottery.

99

The Hardline / Re: Fittings on a Straight-Six day

« on: Dec 31, 2007, 12:47 pm »

I was wondering when a serious discussion of this rule would pop up; the syntax has always annoyed me. When rehearsing a straight-six, I always try to schedule fittings within the rehearsal day to avoid any headaches due to sussing out contract-speak. I realize it's not always possible to do this but the way I read the rule, you can't schedule fittings outside of rehearsal on a straight-six day that is part of a combined 8/10 (7/9) and straight-six work week. We rarely rehearse a 6 day straight-six work week.

100

The Hardline / Re: Cleaning the greenroom

« on: Dec 31, 2007, 12:39 pm »

If the theatre is demanding that you clean the greenroom, then I would most definitely consider that a violation of the rule. With Rebbe's advice, and under the rule, it is totally within your rights to ask the theatre to create a separate-from-your-AEA-contract and then you could receive a weekly sum for cleaning. Unless it's not about the money and it's about establishing the correct precedent.

101

The Hardline / Re: LORT rehearsal/performance hours question

« on: Dec 31, 2007, 12:29 pm »

I don't mean to seem prying but the scheduling of such a scenario is interesting to me; our theatre is undergoing some programming changes that might benefit from alternate hiring options. Were the LORT A contracts concurrent, as in, were you in performance for one show and then in rehearsal for another? I can't imagine an SM rehearsing two shows at once on two separate LORT contracts, unless there are some serious concessions in the riders.

102

The Hardline / Re: LORT rehearsal/performance hours question

« on: Dec 30, 2007, 12:28 pm »

Even done it myself...

As an SM? Was it a mainstage/studio type thing, i.e., one theatre, two stages, B+/D kind of thing? Two theatres, different contracts? I'm curious.

103

The Hardline / Re: Cleaning the greenroom

« on: Dec 30, 2007, 12:19 pm »

I second (third, fourth??) the idea that you should chat wth the cast and crew with the hope that they will pitch in more often and help to keep the greenroom clean; it is a common area, after all.

I have the same problem at my theatre, though since we're part of an academic unit and the greenroom is centrally located, we've got grad students, work study students, undergrads, admin folks, production staff and all manner of people using our greenroom. Since I cannot stand to see a messy kitchen, (I cater on the side) I will take a few extra moments to clean up major messes. We do have a facilities person to whom we can submit work orders, which is helpful. This is the person whom I would contact to get rid of bugs. It's hard to believe your theatre doesn't have a similar position, or person responsible.

During production periods, one of the rotating daily post-show duties to which I assign a crew member is to clean the greenroom. Since our crew members are students, this works out well, and they can't complain. It usually entails emptying the coffee pots and filter baskets and wiping down the counters; is this a possible solution for your problem?

104

The Hardline / Re: Cleaning the greenroom

« on: Dec 29, 2007, 07:02 pm »

I find it intriguing but not necessarily indicative, that until this point, only male SMs have responded to a post concerning cleaning the greenroom.

105

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Before Show Pep Talks - Cast and Crew

« on: Dec 28, 2007, 07:01 pm »

...vaguely pleased manner.

Hah. This makes me giggle.