Messages

1

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: help with "real" stage management

« on: Jan 18, 2007, 12:45 pm »

Sounds like you're learning the "feet to fire" method. I did/do too. I was thrust into SM'ng and had ABSOLUTELY no idea what to do (I had auditioned for a part in the show and got ASM, which became SM/props).
I'm still learning how to be efficient and what SM really entails-between professional and community theatre the details that you take care of can vary. But here is a little list to get you started.

-mark your calender with the different shows you'll be working (highlight each show a different color so you'll have an idea of down time between shows or how long a you'll be dedicating your time to a specific show)
-Have a box of pencils/erasers or mechanical pencils w/lots of lead
-notebook-handy for all those "notes" (from director to the various departments)
-clear post-it notes to mark pages for q's (I find the fatter ones are nice - you have room to jot dn an abbrev. note about what the post-it means)
-rehearsal reports (search this site)
-line notes reports (search this site)
-binder to hold your scripts (you'll end up with more than one script by the time the show closes)
-print out copies of the script or type it up in Word - many have opinions of this on the site
-organize the binder with contacts, directions (if rehearsal is different from performance location), scripts, notes, etc (another search at this site will give a more expanded idea but this will get you started)
-compile a list of the cast/crew/production team and create a contact list (verify with everyone their information)
-keep everyone updated via email/notices at rehearsal of what's going on
-read the script and find props- make a list - this will help you as the rehearsals progress and keep you on top of the props person (if you have a dedicated person in that position)
-read the script and find out which actors are needed for each scene - this will help in setting up the schedule
-as the rehearsal progresses you'll want to make a checklist of the props that are to be pre-set/striked (struck)/added to each scene (this is where reading the script and taking notes comes in handy)
-keep track of your mileage as well, always good to know even if you can't take if off on taxes (some can)

You'll find your own "method" as you SM nore shows.

well, that's all I have time for (on lunch break). But that's a start. Right now I'm ASM'ng a show and one of the things I had to keep track of was updating the script and making sure everyone had the most up to date copy. The author made revisions but the revisions were never put into print (just a copy to the director), creating a checklist of the props going on/off the stage during the scenes, taking line notes (passing them to the actors), and just being "book" during the rehearsal.

Every show I learn something new to streamline/make me more efficient in my duties. I've also learned A LOT from searching this site. Some say a laptop is a great tool to have, but I have yet to get one for myself-I'm still doing things by hand/paper. 

You should also look up SM books to read, great info there as well, although geared more towards professional SM'ng, the practices can be used just about anywhere (i.e. community/school theatre). The book I'm currently going through is Stage Management by Lawrence Stern.

Ok. Anyone going to add to my list? Would love to read how others get started.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out for you.

2

The Green Room / Re: Things You'll Never Hear a Stage Manager Say

« on: Dec 12, 2006, 01:48 pm »

I'm being paid way too much to do this job

I am in complete agreement with Canuk.

3

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Running Tech, etc.

« on: Nov 10, 2006, 01:03 pm »

Boast away!! That's awesome! 
It's always great when a director gives you credit.  Not many will do that. 

4

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Website for the show

« on: Nov 04, 2006, 04:24 pm »

I think it's great that you're using all the resources available to get the shows info out there to the cast, and even to the public. 
There's a community theatre that's doing a production of A Christmas Story and I'll be working with them - yeah for me!! They have a website setup that has the schedule online that you can print. They used to have it in .pdf format too, but it seems they took that part off the website. Here's the link if you want to check it out http://www.caryplayers.org/acs06info.htm[.

IMHO you should have the option of printing the schedule (whether from online or in pdf format) so the other peeps in the show can have a copy at their disposal, that might be too efficient for some but it's nice to have the option.  You may want to include the last date for conflicts, the show dates highlighted in one color and the tech week in another. Or just highlighted in general for those important dates.

Not sure what else to add to the website, itself. Anything pertaining to the show minus the contact sheet (esp if it's an unprotected/non-password site).

Good luck with creating the website.

5

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: The Ultimate Decision

« on: Nov 01, 2006, 12:39 pm »

The best stage managers I have worked with were not good because they had a desire to be organized.  They were good because they had a desire to know everything.

Thanks for that diagnosis.  No matter what I'm working on I 'have to know everything/the whole picture'. Good to know others are like that too. Although, I'm also of the organized variety. Hmmmm.

I've read this whole post and most of you began in theatre/SM'ng either in HS or college. Well, I FELL into it. I have no 'schooling' in SM, just learned it all from being on the job, innate ability and checking out sites like this one.
 
My background is architectural drafting. I work with AutoCAD all day long, in various fields (civil/architectural/cabinet company/facilities renovation). I've been doing this for 11 years and am looking to change careers (knowing full well it's not going to happen overnight). So I started to take acting classes at a local community theatre. I auditioned for a show (The Man Who Came To Dinner, community theatre) and was "cast" as the ASM. That turned into the SM/prop master/light & sound op due to the SM being in the show and not doing a darn thing pertaining to the SM'ng. Mind you this was my FIRST ever foray into theatre, and had no clue what I was doing. Not one cast memeber knew this and by the end of the run they were all impressed with my organization and take charge attitude that a few told me I should stick with it. And boy did I! In a my first year and a half I SM'd 6 out of the 12 shows I worked on (3- I acted in). I took a little time off after that for a trip and to re-asses what I was going to do with my life. I wasn't sure WHAT I had gotten myself into.  Then The Lion King came to town and after working (ushering) 38 shows I knew I wanted to get back into theatre.

A few of the directors that I've worked with were enthusiastic about being references for me -that gave me a little boost that my decision to persue SM was the right one.

So, here I am getting that resume out there and if all goes well my next show will be at the beginning of next year. Have to meet with the director first that's later today (wed). I'll post back with the results. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!