Messages

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Dear Abby: Torn between two majors

« on: Apr 29, 2009, 11:10 pm »

If you want to know more info on UM, let me know, I can give you all the info you want. I'm a BFA there.


It's like a lot of them are saying, who's paying? My parents don't support my major and don't support the fact that it's in theatre, they rather see me in Medicine (which btw I was premed) but they are not paying my schooling and that's what really made me pick my major. I was planning to do something they wanted to please them, and in the end they're not living my life, not paying my bills, etc. I wanted to do something I enjoyed.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student SM Challenge #6: Design your Department

« on: Apr 20, 2009, 07:42 pm »

Courses: Freshmen year 18 credits to start off with. then move up to max amount which is 21.  (Because of course you have to get the general requirements that the school asks for) besides doing the reg classes I would put:

SM 1- intro (all the basic stuff/info)
Unions class (we have a class that  is not a requirement for SMs but Im taking that is all about the Unions)
Theatre Mngt and producing -Intro
Intro to theatre with a lab (2 classes) split in half talk set, design, lighting, costume, etc.
Acting class
Theatre History
Directing class
Drafting class, possibly also an art class (incase they want to go into costumes, etc)
Senior Studio (help the actors with their senior showcase)

I would either make them take or suggest:
child psychology (or any psychology)
West civ class (history....I have my double major in it and it has come in handy quite a lot)
Music class
basic computer class (although this is something that you can create a forum for)
first aid and CPR (same as above)
speech

I would also try to schedule forums, where we could have guest speakers, possibly talk about job searching, interviewing, etc.

They would also work on a production a semester. Which would require weekly production meetings until we at least go into tech. 

Who I would hire: Ppl in their specialized craft area with experience and of course teaching ability.

And then I completely agree with Tomorrow on the rest.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student SM Challenge #5: Critical Paperwork

« on: Apr 20, 2009, 06:50 pm »

Ok I've been in this situation... make a contact sheet (Small BFA program is lovely to have--means I can get all the info I need thru other SMs, facebook, my other projects, etc.) I have the Emergency contact sheet just have to change play title, calendar, we do class schedule for fitting purposes, I would read the script and as I read do my props list, sound sheet, and every other paperwork is on my pc so all I have to do is change the title. Basically pull an all nighter and then hope to the higher beings that all goes well.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Cruise Ships questions...for thesis...

« on: Apr 20, 2009, 02:18 pm »

Thanks for everyone who has answered these questions. Seems that a lot of ppl who I've talked to has or is currently working for RCCL. Which I know quite a lot about, my dad has worked for them for over 16 years. So I guess you all could say I know a bit more than the usual person about cruise ships and the industry, and I spoke to various ppl (more like ppl in corp) from these companies but I wanted to see what a SM who has worked for any of these companies has to say. I would love to continue getting more responses as my thesis isn't due just yet. Thanks again!!

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Cruise Ships questions...for thesis...

« on: Apr 18, 2009, 04:48 pm »

Hello everyone, I'm new here, I will be graduating this year with a BFA in Stage Management...and well I was hoping I could get some help for a thesis I'm writing. If anyone who has worked for Disney, RCCL, NCL or Carnival Cruise Ships, could answer a few questions I would be so grateful. I have researched through the site and found some answers but every company is different. So if you feel like you answered one of the questions somewhere, you did and I have the info but Im just putting it up for others. The questions are below. Thank you for your time!!

A: What is the background of most cruise ship SMs?
B: What are the requirements to be a SM onboard the ship?
C: Lifestyle?
D: Must you work your way up or can you be freshly hired as an SM?
E: How long is the contract for? (I know disney and RCCL from reading here)
F: How many months on land do you rehearse?
What is it like once you are onboard?
G: What are the responsibilities of the SM?
What sort of paper work do they do?
H: Any other interesting facts, you can tell me about?
I: How many productions does the SM prep for? Or work on?
J: How long does a production last on board a ship?
K: If the show is a show that will run longer than your contract, could you A) possibly get another contract to continue working on it? B) You end up training someone to run the show?
L: What’s the guarantee that…let’s say you have a contract it ends you take off a few months and decide to return, that you will end on the same ship?
M: what are the benefits or advantages and disadvantages of working on a cruise ship?


Edit: this post has been approved.  --PSMK