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Messages - stageman7

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Nic-Can I comment on one thing you said about being the youngest by five years on the tech team? Well, I passed the magic age of sixty last year and I am often the oldest member of the crew; sometimes with a thirty year gap between me and the rest of the team. I often feel "left out" when the LD or sound tech are running the show on an I-Pad, or looking at me with the "OK old-timer we don't use analog in this theater" stare. Anyway, you seem to have gobne beyond your frustrations and organized the production. Congrats!

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Self-Promotion / Re: The Motherf**ker with the Hat in Hartford
« on: Dec 25, 2011, 12:04 pm »
Hey Scott-Happy Holidays from Rich at the Yale Rep! Enjoy the show, even though it has one of the weirdest titles on Broadway.

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Self-Promotion / Miracle on 34th Street-the musical
« on: Dec 25, 2011, 12:01 pm »
I just stage managed a one-night concert of Meredith Wilson's "other show". since he is known for The Music Man. It was a benefit for the Actors' Fund, and starred Tony Yazbeck and Kimberly Faye Greenberg. Big cast-singing and dancing-on the small stage of St. Luke's Theater NYC. The best-known song is
"Here's Love", but there is also a great song about the Macy's parade and one about department store Santas. It ended too soon!

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Employment / Re: First Aid/Fire Guard
« on: Jul 17, 2008, 07:21 pm »
In NYC. a fireguard is someone whom stands by when 'hot work' is being done-welding, roof tar. cutting metal that causes sparks, etc. The fireguard is responsible for on-site safety, evacuation during alarms, and anything else that connects the theater to the Fire Marshal.. Take care- Rich A.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Thoughts on ASMing
« on: Dec 16, 2007, 04:35 pm »
 Hi Jessica-A holiday show-Cool! I do the same kind of thing three times a year for the Yale Opera-I leave my hallowed regular workplace and go cross-campus to be the second, or stage left, ASM. You are so right-the stress level is minimal and the reward is working a show where you have the luxury of watching the actors and maybe even appreciating the timing, sets and music (or speech) without being glued to the headset, video monitor and script at all times. Good luck, and when you return to being the "tank commander" on your next gig as the SM, I'm sure you'll do a first-rate job. -Rich A.

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Video Assist Cameras
« on: Sep 15, 2007, 08:55 pm »
Security day/night cameras with the self-contained infrared source work well in our three theaters. You can add supplemental IR panel light if needed. You should have a good monitor that allows you to adjust brightness and contrast. -Rich A.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Does this happen alot
« on: Jun 30, 2007, 03:29 pm »
Hi Trevor-Yes, unfortunately, just like the cartoons where the store manager hires his favorite nephew, this does happen. I worked in a NYC theater where the manager tried to replace me with his son-in-law, who did not have one hour of time backstage and only wanted the job 'to party with the band dudes'. Needless to say, after he realized that he had to be the first person in the building, and often the last one out; and sometimes he was miles away from the bands or their after-show parties, he elected to take another job in the lobby selling popcorn! (true story) Hang in there-this is a great profession and I'm sure you will prove yourself to a better employer. -Rich

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Dear Kitty- What venue in Hollywood has interns? I was one of the SM's who freelanced in the late seventies at various Hollwood clubs, such as the Starwood and WhiskeyAGoGo. I also worked part-time for SIR, the backline and sound rental guys. I agree with the previous answers to your post-make yourself a valuable part of the crew-if rolling cases down the ramp and onto the truck is what's needed, that's OK. I currently PSM and ASM concerts here in Connecticut, and I find my floating stage crew to be my right hand-from getting water for the dressing room to plugging in a video camera charger. Good luck, and keep at it-you should learn all the jobs around you. -Dicky

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Hey Shoos- Sorry that you're feeling the blues! (I know, a silly rhyme) I found a solution in working on "the fringe" of theater in operations management. It allows me to keep my finger on the pulse of the Rep Theater where I work, but I also get to work 8AM-4PM with weekends and holidays off. Plus, I can do outside shows around my day job so I keep up my SM skills. Find something that makes you feel comfortable, whatever that is. By the way, I did many rock tours and other events where I wasn't especially thrilled about the star or the schedule or the way the trucks were loaded-you get the idea. But each job helped me to be more flexible, and maybe a bit mellower. Take care-Rich

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SMNetwork Archives / Re: I'm New
« on: Apr 26, 2007, 09:02 pm »
Hi Kevin. Do you miss going on board the cruise ships now that you're land based in Miami? (Could be worse-you could be land based in Newark, NJ!) Have you considered doing an article or commentary about SM'ing on cruise ships-many people in our business don't realize how many shows there are on the high seas. Take care- Rich

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Stage Management: Other / Re: Opera suggestions
« on: Nov 23, 2006, 02:55 pm »
Hi-Can I add that I just posted and helped hire an SM for the Yale Opera, and another posting has been done for their next production? (I'm the resident "tech advisor" for their shows.) In both cases, as well as last year, the SMA job posting generated the successful hiring and numerous e-mails. I also posted on the Playbill website and the Backstage Jobs website, by the way. Opera companies are often more focused in their SM job candidates, because of the additional requirements such as musical score comprehension and specific blocking notes. Thanks for supporting the SMA and opera- Rich A.

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Stage Management: Other / Re: Operations Management
« on: Sep 28, 2006, 12:56 pm »
No,I'm not Rich C although I was the co-secretary of the SMA for three years and I just worked with Rich C on a benefit show in NYC a few months ago. I'm Rich A and Kay is right-I'm a "charter member" of the SM Network from the good old days. Take care,all- Rich A.

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SMNetwork Archives / Re: Happy Stage Management Memories?
« on: Sep 16, 2006, 03:47 pm »
Hi Kay-What a great idea for a posting topic. I just completed SM'ing the Hartford (CT) Gay Pride Festival, which took place on a rented travelling stage in downtown Hartford while the police closed off the streets around the Capitol.
We had twelve acts from 4PM to 10PM, including three "disco divas" such as Bonnie Pointer. We also had two local Gay Alliance performing troupes who had never been on a real stage before, and the local touring company of Rocky Horror Picture Show! It was a mix of amateur and professional entertainers, and with the help of some dedicated volunteers and a very patient sound company the event went up and ended on schedule. (We even had a thunderstorm blow through to make life interesting.) The point of the story is that sometimes the
most unusual combination of talent and the simplest of staging can be the high point of a stage manager's year. All the best- Rich

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Stage Management: Other / Operations Management
« on: Sep 16, 2006, 03:36 pm »
Hi-It's Rich from New Haven, Ct. I'm an Operations Manager for the Yale Repertory Theater and the Yale Drama School, which is stage managing plus a zillion "duties as assigned". These include audio-visual tech, fleet manager (the theater has three vehicles), facilities management (custodial, heating & cooling, keys and locks, etc.), security, and special event production. It's a great job for a SM who is looking to expand into related employment. All the best to my fellow SM's who work in the "other" category. -Rich

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Tools of the Trade / two way radios
« on: Oct 30, 2005, 06:57 pm »
I agree-Motorola has a good product with a headset available for cues. There are also cheaper alternatives in the "FRS" radios used for hunters and sportspeople that are under fifty bucks for a pair and also use headsets, but they are not VOX-voice activated for transmit. (You need to push the button each time that you talk.) Take care- Rich

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