Messages

1

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROFESSIONALISM: thoughts on hanging out with the cast after shows

« on: Jul 25, 2007, 05:52 pm »

What are your thoughts on the SM hanging out with actors at night after shows - we have really small casts (5 or 6), so it's like a family - but if I hang out with them does that negate my authority or position?

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PEOPLE: theatre romance

« on: Jul 25, 2007, 05:33 pm »

is it "bad" for a stage manager and an actor currently working together to begin a romantic relationship?

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Tools of the Trade / Re: washable stage frosting????

« on: Jul 25, 2007, 05:20 pm »

The solution is children's foaming colored bath soap - it comes in "cake appropriate" colors (pink, yellow, purple) and spreadable and has the consistency of shaving cream but the best part is - IT'S SOAP, so it washes out easily each night in the laundry.

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Tools of the Trade / Re: washable stage frosting????

« on: Jun 19, 2007, 10:28 am »

we have found a great solution - kid's foaming bath soap!

it's soap, so it washes out easily.  it's foamy and holds it shape brilliantly.  and comes in lots of colors!!!!

PHEW!  one problem down, a hundred more to go.

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Tools of the Trade / washable stage frosting????

« on: Jun 18, 2007, 12:24 am »

Having a very difficult time with one particular prop for our upcoming production of "Bullshot Crummond".

We have a foam cake that the main character knocks onto the floor and then he jumps crotch first onto the cake.   The effect is that his pants are covered in frosting.

I have tried shaving cream, it stains.  I know whipped cream will stain and will not hold up under the lights.

If anyone has a suggestion for a washable, frosting-like spread I would REALLY appreciate some guidance.

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Keeping Spike tape down...

« on: Apr 10, 2007, 02:08 pm »

oh yeah i guess no staples on a tile floor, didnt see that part, but regular stage floors are so staple friendly

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Keeping Spike tape down...

« on: Apr 10, 2007, 10:55 am »

clear duct tape over and/or staple gun the glo/spike tape in place

8

SMNetwork Archives / misc prop questions

« on: Apr 10, 2007, 10:53 am »

i'm doing "Fuddy Meers" (a wickedly funny show) but have a couple of prop questions that i haven't encountered before:

1) there's a knife that one character stabs another in the back with - all the action takes place US and really isn't visible, it happens right before intermission so that when Act 2 starts the stabbed man has a bloody rag to his back - my question is about the knife, i have gotten many suggestions, but am unsure
    - we've been rehearsing with a "prop" knife, the kind where the blade disappears into the handle but the problems are that it needs to be a kitchen knife and because it's cheap and plastic we've gone through 2, they keep breaking
    - an actor suggested dulling an actual butcher's knife, but that seems WAY too dangerous to me
    - another actor suggested getting a knife from a Halloween shop and covering the dull grey plastic with mylar

2) we have a kitchen complete with a non-working fridge, but during the show characters open the fridge to pull out bacon and frozen foods - how can i keep these things fresh, i have been transferring them to the green room fridge and freezer each night - and how can i duplicate the little fridge light that comes on when the door is opened?

3) finally, something i've never dealt with in a show but have plenty of real-world experience - one character is supposed to roll and light up a joint on stage.  the papers and lighters aren't an issue - it's what to put in it that i am having difficulty with, and on top of that the actor has never smoked a cigarette or a joint before, so it looks awkward when he pantomimes.

any suggestions would be appreciated.

9

Employment / ASPIRATIONS: how do you get to Broadway?

« on: Aug 04, 2006, 03:24 pm »

if you are an AEA SM how easy is it to get a job on Broadway?  what steps do you need to take?

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TECH - HELP!!!!!

« on: Aug 04, 2006, 03:21 pm »

definitely premature freaking outage, but in a good way.

im used to having at least a week with rehearsal props and then a week with actual props to get sorted out what i had to sort out in two days - not saying it's bad, just different.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TECH - HELP!!!!!

« on: Aug 04, 2006, 12:45 pm »

I'm making a trip to Container Store and Target this weekend, any suggestions as far as hooks, shelves go (cheap & durable).

The one good thing is that the way the flats are constructed and arranged there are "ledges" all over the backstage area.  They are wide enough to hold cel phones, flasks, small props.  But I've got so much more.

Freakout.

But I hafta say I love the craziness associated with tech week.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / TECH: Configuring backstage

« on: Aug 04, 2006, 12:18 pm »

Okay, here's my deal - I am hoping someone has suggestions and/or forms.

Doing "Six Women With Brain Death" at a small theatre with no real production crew backstage except for the actors.  We have run into a bit of an organizational problem with props and costumes.  Backstage space is limited but almost everything needs to be backstage due to the quick change nature of the scenes.

There aren't any prop tables backstage, space is severely limited.  All props are stored on a central table by dressing rooms until I place them backstage at the top of each act.

I tried printing up these prop/costume charts, but while they really help me, they are not so helpful for the actresses. (see attached)

Also, I probably need to do a scene/character map but want something that is both comprehensive but easy to glance at and comprehend.

Has anyone had success with hanging shoe and hanging sweater storage as backstage prop storage?

Tech is Sunday so I will be in the booth from now on and after last night's rehearsal I just didnt get a good feeling about things, but everyone was saying how organized and stuff it was.

ARGH!  This is my first SM job at a theatre outside of the place I have worked for 6 years and it's new and I just want to do a super job.

13

Tools of the Trade / Re: how essential is a kit?

« on: Jul 12, 2006, 03:39 pm »

okay so i did it, i brought my kit and i didnt look like a dork.

i got a new box at container store, really cool - see thru and red.  and restocked cheaply using travel sized products since there are only 6 people in this cast.

KITS ROCK!

14

Tools of the Trade / how essential is a kit?

« on: Jul 07, 2006, 12:08 pm »

ok here's my deal and my question.

i am not new to stage management - it was my focus for my bfa in college.  i had a tacklebox kit that i started and filled up exactly as the textbook told me to.

then after college i got an internship at a professional theatre in dallas.  first show i brought my box but the theatre already had all the office, medical, misc supplies so i stopped bringing it.

i did that for a couple of years, stayed at the same theatre for a while.  got my aea equity card out of it.

then i got a "real job" and have been doing that for the past 2 years.

now i am starting a new stage management job for a local theatre here in town, they are a little bit smaller than the one i was with before, but definitely with it.

my question is, do i need to bring a box?  i dont wanna look like a dork or anything.  i was thinking just basic office supplies and cough drops, life savers, etc. in a small lunch box.

yes or no?  feel free to email me:  beningini@yahoo.com

tommy