Messages

1

Introductions / Oh heeeeyyyy

« on: Dec 18, 2014, 12:40 am »

Hey hey fellow SMs. My name is Liz. I currently live in lovely LA, originally from Texas. I have my BFA in theatre production and I've been working as a stage manager since I graduated in 2011. I am a freelancer these days and I've been hoping around between theaters since I moved to LA in 2012.

By day I work in an adult beverage store selling wine, beer, and spirits. I have found this is the perfect job since theatre folk love booze and everytime I'm asked what I do during the day in an interview, the person is delighted.

Beyond that, I like good wine and beer, running, blogging, and cooking. Hoping to meet some great folks here and learn a few things.

2

Employment / Re: Sending cold resumes

« on: Dec 18, 2014, 12:25 am »

I am near the completion of my apprenticeship and am beginning to search for work in the city I am moving to, which happens to be a place where I have very few connections. I was wondering if any of you have any advice on sending cold resumes to theatres?

I would echo what others said and specify that you should send hard copies. Your resume is pretty easy to lose in someone's inbox. I once sent a resume to a company's TD via snail mail. He called me and told me that he didn't hire the stage managers, but was so impressed I sent a hard copy he was passing it on to the person who did!

On a somewhat related not, find the theatre alliance/group in your city and see if they have events. I went to one and gave a resume to anyone who would talk to me, and almost every job I've gotten since has some connection to that conference.

3

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Headset Etiquette

« on: Apr 07, 2009, 08:37 pm »

The thing about head set is you never know who is on... I've heard many stories about someone talking about someone else on head set, only to later find out that they were listening the whole time.

I think, in general, you should always be polite and respectful to you crew, even if they miss a cue or mess something up. Never forget they are actually the ones implementing what you're doing, and they can make you look bad! Plus, everyone is much happier when there's less tension!

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

« on: Apr 07, 2009, 08:27 pm »

I personally put my text on the left and my blocking on the right. It doesn't really bother me when I'm calling, since that's how I've been looking at that book for so long. I do know some stage managers will use a completely different calling script though.

5

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Managing Schools?

« on: Apr 07, 2009, 08:17 pm »

I'm a BFA Theatre Design and Production with an emphasis in Stage Management at Oklahoma City University. Lots of great opportunities.