Messages

91

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Scholarships

« on: May 29, 2012, 12:30 pm »

Listing my theatre extracurricular activities (given I had others as well) on my applications to college ended up getting me the 'presidential scholarship' at the university where I chose to study.  The award mentioned something along the lines of great work in the arts as the reason for the award.

Try using theatre as a good jumping off point for general scholarships that are looking for hard work, dedication, what you learned, etc... People are often impressed by the amount of work a high school student puts into something they love, like theatre, and will reward them for it.

92

The Green Room / Re: One actor's performance divides a community

« on: May 19, 2012, 06:31 pm »

So what do you think - did the company have a right to charge full ticket price without letting the audience in on the actor with script in hand? Should the community have been more supportive of the choice, rather than criticize the outcome? Does criticism raise the bar for theatre companies to do better? What would you have done in that situation?

I think it was a mistake to let the show press in that condition.  I've seen and been a part of productions that have postponed and it's definitely worth while.  You avoid bad press, both from reviews such as this one, from social media and by word of mouth.  It's not an option for everyone though and that may be the case. This situation could be a lesson for this theatre company, both in procedure and perhaps hiring practices.

As for your second question, I think that we all struggle with this as thespians.  We want to support all our friends and peers, despite venue, company, budget, etc... but sometimes it's just not possible.

The facebook situation seems like a real cluster frak though - very unfortunate it had to go the social media route and that people took the tone you say it did.

Anyone been in a production like or similar to this? What did you do? How do you rate the production on your favorites list?

93

The Green Room / Re: Need help making a playlist

« on: May 12, 2012, 05:42 pm »

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes has a good CD of punk/pop musical covers (such as The Phantom of the Opera and Science Fiction Double Feature) - a way to be theatre-y without playing showtunes all night...one of my biggest peeves at a party....

Any type of music they're into in particular?

94

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Invisible spikes

« on: Apr 25, 2012, 01:15 am »

The lip on the edge of the step, even though it could be a tripping hazard, seems like a good idea.

You might try an off-white color that wouldn't be visible from the distance of the house, like a light grey, or yellow, on the edge of the step.  This line could be very thin; a 1/4" like you mentioned.

Are there blackouts to consider? Glow paint might be an option if they sell it nearby at Home Depot/Lowes.  I've found it not to be nearly as effective as glow tape with just one coat, but applying multiple coats may increase that.

Let us know what you come up with!

95

The Green Room / Re: What was the last nice thing someone did for you?

« on: Apr 23, 2012, 02:15 am »

Every once in a few shows you get the actor who approaches you privately and thanks you for your professionalism and all your work....that always means a lot.

96

The Green Room / Re: Why do theater - Ted Talk

« on: Apr 04, 2012, 01:12 pm »

Great video.

Coincidentally, our artistic director mentions 'being present' in his pre-show announcement when telling audience members to shut off their phones.  Always gets a good chuckle and sometimes clapping here and there. Being present is important in life and I think more and more people are starting to think so.

97

The Green Room / Re: April Fools!

« on: Apr 03, 2012, 04:23 pm »

I so wanted to call places at half hour, but the stampede/trampling of performers, just wasnt worth it...but man it would have been funny.

I did this at 10 minutes...worth it.

I had an audience member (father of one of the actresses) get me at intermission: "Hey, is that your money on the floor?"

doh....

98

The Green Room / Re: Practical Rant

« on: Mar 31, 2012, 06:19 pm »

the show I am currently in rehearsals for has no less than 6 practicals on the stage that are critical to each "location." 


Yikes.

Ditto! I loved having to drill that there was no wiggle room for missed cues with those practicals. /sarcasm

We did a show last year that had a practical blow mid-scene. So, because of the nature of our theatre setup at the time, I hit the cue for the scene change, ran down, changed the lamp, ran off, and hit the cue to start the next scene. Really gets the heart pumping!

99

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!

« on: Mar 26, 2012, 11:38 am »

Anyone have 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier?

100

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Mar 24, 2012, 04:04 pm »

...collaborate and listen....

101

Employment / Re: Health insurance

« on: Mar 23, 2012, 11:35 am »

I am lucky enough to get insurance through my employer.  It was a major factor in me taking the job in the first place as it counts as compensation, and we all know we don't get into this business for the money. If I didn't receive it this way, I don't know what exactly I would do...I'm not 26 yet so I might mooch off my parents until then, but if I had to pay it myself, I'm not sure...but that's an entirely different discussion.

102

The Green Room / Re: What's next?

« on: Mar 18, 2012, 11:58 pm »

I think about this all the time. I think about:
- being a theatre manager/artistic/executive director
- teaching
- starting a small business (bar or restaurant)
- being a stay at home dad
- carpentry
Who knows!

103

Self-Promotion / Re: Red

« on: Mar 12, 2012, 08:28 am »

Such a great show. Enjoy!

104

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SAFETY: 7 ft. Fall onto Crash Pad in Show

« on: Feb 04, 2012, 01:41 am »

To reiterate the previous replies, find someone who knows what they're doing.

I did gymnastics in high school and we often fell from heights ranging from a few feet to 15'.  The best crash mats we used were the 24" or thicker foam ones that track and field used for pole vault and high jump.  It matters how you fall, I cannot stress that enough.

Find someone who is a stunt coordinator, or a coach in track and field/gymnastics who can help.  And when you find your person, practice, practice, practice, practice.  Not just the actor, but the crew who sets up the mat, the people who spot, and anyone who might have to be there to administer aid if need be.

105

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Screwing Up

« on: Jan 27, 2012, 03:24 pm »

Last year I was running a show where we used a DMX controlled fog machine.  I accidentally held the control to the fog machine just too long, flooded the space with fog and set off the fire alarms.  It was a complete screw up on my part for various reasons and I owned it.  Thankfully the audience and actors were all good spirited, even giving the fire fighters a good ovation, and we continued the show.

Never been so stressed out in my life, but I learned so much that night in a matter of minutes.

I've also come to realize how owning a mistake well is a great trait that we have in this industry and something that isn't all that common in everyday life.  There was an article posted on SMNetwork a few weeks ago that pointed how a degree in theatre can be a real asset in a career outside of the biz.