Messages

1

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: God of Carnage - helpful hints

« on: Jan 08, 2012, 11:43 am »

We had an elevated platform in the scenic design, so we ran a tube backstage to a pressure pump. The connection point was hidden up the leg of the sofa and the actress playing Annette actually had the rest of the tubing run up her back through her sleeve. The pressure came from backstage but she had full manipulation of the stream. For the spit ups, more vomit was just shot through the hose and she held it in her mouth.

Hope that helps! Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

Hols

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: KC/ACTF Region VII

« on: Dec 27, 2007, 11:20 pm »

I'm presenting at Region III. Have you gone before? which show are you presenting for?

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / KCACTF Region III

« on: Dec 19, 2007, 04:53 pm »

Anyone here going to the festival? presenting?

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Beginner Stage Manager experiences

« on: Dec 15, 2007, 01:42 pm »

My first experience as SM was a musical too! Kudos to you on that rehearsal!

Here's my rehearsal story. One night, the director called and said he would be late. I planned out how to start rehearsal, and then the musical director called me. He was stuck in traffic, and did not know when he would arrive.

Ultimately, I ended up warming up the entire cast, and giving new blocking to a cast member while watching two scenes onstage simultaneously and rotating people using the piano to rehearse their solos.  (I think that might have been one of my favorite rehearsals)

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student Stage Manager's Challenge #2

« on: Dec 09, 2007, 01:41 pm »

Call the fire department. Let them know the situation and find out how soon they could be there. Run down the steps, run into the MD and let them know the fire department has been called and you are on your way to reassure the cast and audience that the situation is being dealt with and please remain seated. Ushers will be around momentarily to usher you to the lobby.

After that, inform the crew/cast/ FOH what is going on. Get everyone possible a flashlight. A regional theatre may not have the biggest lobby, but it will be a more relaxing holding dock for the audience than the black of the theatre. If the actors and musicians (assuming live orchestrations and that a sound system is not needed) are able and the room in the lobby allows, inform the audience* of a rare opportunity, and start the show at an appropriate french scene in the lobby. (*Ask the Managing Director if they would like the honors of giving this "curtain speech" and thanking the audience for their patience, plugging the wonderful versatility of the production, etc.)

Of course, as the audience had been filing into the lobby, the crew and follow spot operators had been moving all practical set pieces and props into the lobby for such an event.

(would that be a good approach to take? any feedback would be great!)

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Employment / Re: From the other side of the resume (low key rant - personal advice)

« on: Nov 16, 2007, 01:35 am »

Thanks for the input!

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College and Graduate Studies / SM degree or Technical degree?

« on: Nov 13, 2007, 03:43 pm »

I am finishing an Associate of Arts degree in Technical Theatre (emphasis on SM). I have a variety of experience in theatre (design, run crew, SM team), but am a new SM.

I want to get a BFA and move on to an MA or MFA. Should I get a SM degree or a Technical degree? Are there any programs that will let me SM while working towards a Technical degree?
Thanks for the help!

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Headset Etiquette

« on: Nov 13, 2007, 03:10 pm »

I'm a student working with fellow students, thus humor in general is....crude. My rule of thumb on headset is "Verbal Blackout". Before I call Verbal Blackout, the crew knows they should get whatever they need to say out of their systems. At VB, the only communication on headset becomes the SM talking and necessary, polite, show communication.

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Employment / Re: From the other side of the resume (low key rant - personal advice)

« on: Nov 13, 2007, 02:52 pm »

In the Related Experience category, what is the industry standard for saying "reads music"? I am very new to stage management and am putting my resume together for the first time. Thanks!