Messages

91

Employment / Re: is this normal?

« on: Jul 15, 2010, 05:40 pm »

I learned the hard way that when a director stops responding to email messages, it may mean that my skills were no longer needed. So when a later show came along and the director was not responding to my questions, I started prepping to look for another gig. In the second instance though, the show did go on, and I did get to stage manage it.

92

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Accidentally Set Off Building Alarm: What would you do?

« on: Jul 15, 2010, 08:00 am »

I'm on the security team for a local facility, so whenever a security or fire alarm goes off, I get the call and have to report to the building. With so many volunteers and staff running around, I'm actually amazed the alarm doesn't go off more often. It's about once every two months. It's not a big deal, although the $100 "fine" from the police is annoying if they show up.

Again, it's better to wait for the police and explain what happened than running away. Hint: make sure you have some ID that you could show the police, just in case they show up first.

93

Tools of the Trade / Re: Paperless World

« on: Jun 30, 2010, 07:17 am »

You might check out using DropBox  (or referral link as a referral link from me) for your "file server." Dropbox automatically syncs files between multiple computers. I'm not sure how well it would scale with many people involved.

For shows I stage manage, I use a home-grown system combining WordPress and WebCalendar, and Mailman for announcement/discussion lists. WordPress lets people subscribe to new articles via RSS, or by using a plugin, updates can be emailed out automatically. I password protect the site so that the world can't see the info. I usually use one password for everyone. If I need to, I could set up individual usernames and passwords, but so far never have.

94

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: Director and Producer don't get along

« on: Jun 28, 2010, 12:00 pm »

Thanks everyone for the comments. Everything ended up working out fine (for reasons I cant' share here), despite this being the most stressful show I've ever worked on.

95

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: UNDERSTUDIES: Understudy should do part exactly like the original actor?

« on: Jun 28, 2010, 11:58 am »

Thanks everyone for the comments. For the role I was asking about, we ended up losing the original actor who was cast, the understudy was not able to commit to performing the entire run, so we ended up during tech week casting a new actor. And that actor was not forced to learn the character per the director's vision. I think by that point we were all just happy to have somebody in the part that no one cared if they were doing it the "correct" way or not.

96

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REHEARSALS: Director makes a poor decision of a character

« on: Jun 28, 2010, 11:37 am »

Thanks everyone for the comments. For the role I was asking about, we ended up losing the original actor who was cast, the understudy was not able to commit to performing the entire run, so we ended up during tech week casting a new actor. And that actor was not forced to learn the character per the director's vision. I think by that point we were all just happy to have somebody in the part that no one cared if they were doing it the "correct" way or not.

97

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: CAST: Practical jokes on final performance?

« on: Jun 28, 2010, 11:30 am »

The producer was on board with the stern lecture. Appealing to the cast's sense of professionalism, plus sharing that many of the cast members' (half were under age 18) families were finally coming to see the show, actually seemed to work.

It was a very stressful rehearsal process, a kinda stressful production, all for a very fun show. Whatever jokes they did stayed backstage. All in all, the show was a success. Thanks very much for the suggestions and ideas.

98

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / CAST: Practical jokes on final performance?

« on: Jun 27, 2010, 12:39 am »

I'd love to hear any tips on how to "convince" or "encourage" a cast not to play any practical jokes on one another during the final performance. My planned stern lecture given during pre-show notes I doubt will be effective. Before the show I'll be asking the producer what his expectations are; but knowing the cast like I do, I doubt most of them will be at all receptive to being professional on their final outing, and I'm worried about how the cast's actions will reflect on me.

99

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROFESSIONALISM: Director and Producer don't get along

« on: May 28, 2010, 11:27 am »

I've seen several threads here talking about difficult actors, directors, producers, etc... But I couldn't find any threads discussing what happens when the Director and the Producer don't get along. Screaming at each other during rehearsal is embarrassing for the crew and actors who overhear. Both the director and producer know they are being unprofessional, but can't help themselves. What can I do to keep things calm/stress-free at rehearsals and once we open? Should I try to ask them to leave the room if they start fighting again, and I'll run the rehearsal until they are able to return?

100

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / REHEARSALS: Director makes a poor decision of a character

« on: May 28, 2010, 11:14 am »

The director's job is to communicate a vision for the show through the actors. But for one role, the vision for that character is just entirely wrong. I know it's not my place to say anything, and maybe it will seem more natural as rehearsals progress. But what should the stage manager do, if anything, if a decision the director has made is just not working?

101

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / UNDERSTUDIES: Understudy should do part exactly like the original actor?

« on: May 28, 2010, 11:10 am »

In a community theater show, one part has an understudy. The part is fairly small, with only 2 or 3 scenes. The director is telling the understudy that she should do everything exactly like the main actor. Mannerisms, movement, body placement, etc... The issue I see is that the two actors are quite different physically. One is much taller and heavier than the other. So when the understudy runs a scene as the main actor, the effect is a bit comical. Not having worked with an understudy before, is that the normal way of doing things? I totally get that blocking and such should be the same, but some of the sight gags I don't think are working when the understudy performs. Not that I would say anything to the director, but I'd be interested in hearing some ideas about how to best help the understudy "get" the part being asked of them to do.

Change to subject line tag-Rebbe

102

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How Many times have you stage managed?

« on: May 22, 2010, 09:21 am »

Five plays, three musicals, in two years. Not bad for being all community theater-oriented (evenings and unpaid mostly). I'll miss it.

103

Employment / Re: Child Wrangling

« on: May 14, 2010, 02:47 pm »

I immediately had visions of rodeos, and out of control children. 

Your vision is closer than you might think.

104

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: What to do when you sign on late?

« on: May 13, 2010, 10:53 am »

I recently came in late to a production that was already in rehearsal. Learning new names (cast of 25ish) is tough, since they all already know each others' names. Missing out on the blocking already done has also been tough. The director or a cast member will ask me where a question, and I have to respond, "I don't know, I wasn't here when you ran this scene." It's also been tough retraining the cast to contact me if there is an issue they are used to calling the producer. We had a production meeting last week, which did help me a lot. Getting very familiar with the script was a huge help as well.

105

The Green Room / Re: Finish this sentence: "If all the world's a stage..."

« on: May 11, 2010, 08:26 am »

If all the world's a stage, where are the wings?