Messages

1

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?

« on: May 19, 2008, 02:11 pm »

Thats a choice best made by you.

Sometimes I have 40-80 kids in a cast, I don't want to write that many thank you's nor do i have the time or money to do this.   I say bake cookies, or give them some community candy.  That is the best most inexpensive way to do something nice with items you can probably find at home. 

Another choice is the www.orientaltrading.com has everything dirt cheap from mini umbrellas to any kind of key chain you can imagine. 

Let's not forget Hugs are Free!

2

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Tech Questions

« on: May 19, 2008, 02:01 pm »

I've had directors call out notes mid tech,and the night before opening.  You can do your best to politely address the director and settle the overcontrollingness of him/her.  But in the long run, it's outta your hands.  Take a deep breath and be glad when it's over.  I am willing to bet that they won't be asked back to direct again and your future worries will be solved. 

Next time, try to address this earlier in the rehearsal process or speak with the artistic director so that a "bad tech" can be avoided.  This sounds to be like you waited too long and now the problem is out of your hands.

3

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dressing For The Part?

« on: May 19, 2008, 01:57 pm »

Dress to impress.  If you are the stage manager you need to make a statement with your outfit.  YOu are in charge of the entire production, so don't be sloppy and take the time to make extra efforts to look good.  I avoid t-shirts and tanks, that will make you look young and childish.  Button shirts, polos, and dressier shirts are best to wear with jeans or any pants really.  For shows I will wear dress shoes but for rehearsals, let's face it you have to be practical, wear sneakers or casual shoes. 

Some people like to dress how they feel, but you should dress how you'd like to be treated.  Respectfully.  You can't always earn respect from actors, patrons, parents, co-workers if you aren't making an effort.

4

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Your Prompt Book - Left or Right?

« on: May 19, 2008, 01:51 pm »

 I have found that if you are Right handed it's best to put the script on the "left" sometimes I will make blocking sheets and copy it onto the back of my script, so that i have templates to use.  I denote the blocking with letters or numbers within my script on the left page.  I have found this system to be the most useful and efficient.  I can follow with my left hand and write with my right.  The only issue is copying.  If you need to copy your script it can be a hassle because you have to put the pages in backwards for this system to work.  I suggest that you keep a back up to copy or use the asm's script for copying.

Once you get the knack of everything on the left it is amazing.  I use stencils on the left margin for my Cues and that works the best with this system as well.