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Messages - Nbayard

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1
I went to a school that was closely worked with Moscow Art Theatre - we did semesters there (well our actors did)... They don't used Stage Managers in their productions. What they do instead, I'm not sure - But I do know that part 

Should be a really awesome experience for both of you. GL!

2
Working with a Flying effects company, they introduced me into half fingerless gloves that are awesome.  the index and Thumb are still covered, but the other 3 aren't It's actually very handy and very comfortable...They are mechanix only like 15 bucks!

3
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: making trees
« on: Jul 09, 2008, 10:25 am »
We built an entire tree - but since it had to be weight-bearing and swingable, and have a hole in the top and an elf-hole we made it out of wood and concrete.. Then a finish that made it semi-glossy...  Lets just say demolishing it was a blast!

If you figure out what the product is, let me know!

4
After just graduating and about to take on my first professional gig, I am constantly hearing my teacher say - some of these things just come with age or experience. 

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Need college advice
« on: Jun 30, 2008, 09:25 am »
I suggest that look at colleges anyways.  I went to college with little experience in stage management, but in performing. and all through college I stage managed and never performed.  You can do it if that's what you really want to do.  I also suggest assisting before taking on a project of your own.  That way you can find out how that particular department works.  Thats what myself and the other SMs suggested to any newcomers.  You are so much happier when you do take on your own show.

good luck!

6
Ive never been in this position myself before but a possibility could sit down with her and explain what you need.  Include her in the process of deciding what her roles are.  Is she calling performances? or just in rehearsals?  Set a schedule with her for when you take authority and when she does.  Explain to the cast the unusual circumstances for her to be there and not just you.

Possible issues I may see is the cast dividing up onto who they go to for concerns or problems, and it not being conform throughout the process?  Or possibly something like that.  I dknwo this doesn't really answer your question but may give you something to think about. 

7
I have a community theatre in my area with the same limited space and small house and they usually can pull off anything. We did Annie Get Your Gun last summer with a  cast of 20something...  It was tight, but we made it work.  I'm sure whatever you end up doing, with some creative thinking will be splendid.

8
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Tech Questions
« on: May 03, 2008, 10:34 am »
I've always been told (at the school I attend) that Tech is for tech and the acting should be pretty well set. Especially since they dont always stick to the 6 week of rehearsal route.  But we do have a director that is notorious for not finishing blocking until tech or after tech or even Opening Night they get to the last act.  So it's a confusing cycle while working with that particular director. 
I have also been told that the actors and director shouldn't work on stuff too much because it will make the techs run less smoothly. I have actually had that happen, but the actors weren't just in a hold.  They were moving around and acting like idiots where after a break the director sat them all down and got upset at their professionalism - Its a long story as to why there wasn't as much structure in rehearsals as I was trying to put into place so once we move into the space and add all of the other elements into the show it wasn't a madhouse... But venting sorry - the point I was making is that the SMs at my school are told one thing and thats the tech is for tech. 

9
I've done both. I've had letters from the same references as I have listed.  If you have 6 references use all of them, if you have 3 double up.  I think it would be what who would give you the best reference/recommendation.  Just my thought.

10
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Alertness
« on: Apr 19, 2008, 11:02 pm »
I play with play-doh keeps my hands busy so I can concentrate, and I only need one hand to do it so I can write or turn pages with the other.

11
Yeah, and our pre-show announcement is the director going on-stage and doing it live.

Not bad...

12
So, I'm SMing A Midsummer Night's Dream at my school and we're closing tonight - but last nights events made my day!

We're about 3/4 of the way through our Part 1 which was in Act III, when my actor playing Puck comes to me and says, "There's a guy front row center who has a camera, can I play with him?"  Since the director loves the actors to have interaction with the audience, I said sure since he does stuff with the audience anyways at that point.  So, I'm sitting there waiting for what he's going to do.  He runs on to say that Helena is coming and he walks straight up to the guy, grabs the camera holds it in the air and says "Lord, what fools these mortals be" and throws it back at him and runs up into the big tree that is our set.  It was the funniest thing.  Apparently the man was an Uncle of one of the actors and was filming the show the whole time. At Intermission, the House Managers had asked him to put the camera away, but it apparently came back out and Flute/Thisby told him to put it away in Act II.  It was distracting them so much the actors were getting upset.  But that moment of Puck's made my night!

Thought I would share :P

13
I am finishing a show where my ASM and I have completely different working styles.  Similar situations -- I started the process giving him a lot of responsibility but would get paperwork incomplete and an attitude when I asked for something I needed the next day. Got things 3 weeks after I asked, and a whole lot of other stuff.

I spoke with my director, and explained that I was working on communicating with my ASM and let him know what I had given him for responsibilities - delegated to him - and when it wasn't accurate or on time he understood why.  I don't know if you are in a school situation or not as I am, cause I also mentioned to our SM mentor/advisor my concerns and asked him what I should do.

Try talking to her.  Tell her that you are concerned with what is upcoming.  Make her tell you what she thinks her responsibilities are during the tech.  Sit down with her and make her part of the planning in a way - schedule crew, etc.  I was advised this from our advisor.  Make up a responsibilities list for each of you and rules etc.  Agree to it, and each of you sign it - one copy for each of you.  And then if she doesn't do what is on there - remind her that she signed on it.

Good luck!  Not having ASMs you work well with is not fun - I've had it a couple times - and sometimes you just have to have faith that it will get done somehow even if you do it yourself.

Hope this helps

14
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: USITT in Houston
« on: Mar 06, 2008, 04:54 pm »
I wish i could go, but my show will be going on that time, I'm actually losing my board op to it, but we have a replacement for him.....

15
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Calling from a moniter
« on: Mar 03, 2008, 12:51 am »
Thanks everyone! I think it's been such a long process being my senior show for college that I'm nervous, and my OCD is kicking in since I have never called from a monitor, and the dark scene is also the most intense with a cue like almost every other word.  But thanks for the advice. I'm going to start using it tomorrow so I will see how it goes.

Natalie

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