Messages

1

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

« on: Apr 22, 2016, 03:45 pm »

I am with many who have already replied to this but in short: I am flexible with the needs and resources of the show.  I don't always have the opportunity to make a separate script for calling cues. 

I am right handed, so my script pages are on the left, my blocking pages are on the right.
If I am using this same script for calling, I will reverse the pages at that point (yep, hole punched on both sides!) so that my calling script pages are on the right side. I do this so I can easily reference and/or make blocking adjustments if anything changes during tech without referencing another book.

I do, however, like the clean look and feel of a separate script, but I also like having all the information in front of me at one time. (Alternatively, if I have both scripts separate - blocking and calling, I still keep them in the same binder if I need to reference both, but don't want 2 books).

Those are my 2 cents!

2

The Green Room / Re: Who are we, anyway...?

« on: Apr 12, 2015, 10:47 am »

It is just frustrating - TCG tells us to register as individual artists and offers a place to get a grant to pay for the conference with people who don't consider us artists at all, but administrators. The left hand and right hand (ironically not having a stage manager) don't know what the other is doing.

I have to respond to this. Loebtmc, we may have met at TCG, and I have to say the past couple of years I attended, I've loved it. But I never attended as a stage manager, I attend as an associate producer.  My biggest complaints was "where do stage managers fit in?"  Last year, they had an affinity group meeting for production managers I attended, and though it is not exactly the same, it was close enough.  I remember being told though, that since I registered as an associate producer, I didn't have access to the TCG forums for stage and production managers.  While I understand the need to protect those conversations, goshdarnit, I'm a stage manager through and through, despite my new title.  I am hoping that TCG can not only find a place for the valuable creative artists that I believe stage managers to be, but find a way for us to communicate cross-discipline and the conference they hold each year is a really great way to continue that conversation and effort.

On another note: THANK YOU to everyone who posted here regarding defining SMs.  Again, this thread is "dated" but definitely not obsolete!  I came here to gather a collection of responses to "defining stage managers" from the best source - us!  It is for a presentation I am doing to college students who know virtually nothing about theater.  My challenge is going to be: what do I omit? It's all so good...

3

The Green Room / Re: Things You'll Never Hear a Stage Manager Say

« on: Jun 10, 2013, 09:18 pm »

I'm bored.

4

Tools of the Trade / Re: Online Callboards

« on: Jun 10, 2013, 09:15 pm »

kmc307 makes a great point. I've used a service like EditGrid before for this very task (IT'S FREE!). You create an account and fill out the tabs you need. Then you lock all the cells and make it public or public with an access password. This way people can view but not edit. It is basically a excel or google spreadsheet online but it much easier to share/make public. You can leave certain cells unlocked so that anyone with the access password can edit those particular cells. This is great for signing up for fittings and the link. (www.editgrid.com)

Editgrid? I am definitely trying this out.  Where was this when I was stage managing large musicals?  I am intrigued...

5

Tools of the Trade / Re: Useful Android Tablet Apps

« on: Jun 10, 2013, 09:10 pm »

I have an Android HTC Sense tablet. Not the newest OR oldest Android tablet model but I am looking for useful apps for my job.  Thanks for posting this!

In addition to useful apps, do you use an external/physical keyboard for your tablet? I'm trying to a) determine if there is one good enough out there b) see what others' experiences are with one.

Amie

6

The Green Room / TCG Conference 2013

« on: Jun 10, 2013, 09:08 pm »

Hey, everyone!

I wanted to know if anyone else out there attended the TCG Conference in Dallas, Texas this year.  I had the opportunity to attend for the first time with Crossroads Theatre Company, as Associate Producer (which is my title with that company). I thought it was a wonderful experience, and highly recommend the conference to anyone who has the opportunity to attend. Next year it is in San Diego.  I came back refreshed, renewed, and bursting with inspiration.

If anyone else attended, or you have gone in past years, what did you think?


Amie

7

The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork fundraising drive 2013

« on: Mar 01, 2013, 09:27 pm »

A few bucks from each member... you could fund another year or so easily!

I donated! I love SMNetwork!

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The Green Room / Re: What was the last nice thing someone did for you?

« on: Jun 24, 2012, 01:22 am »

I work as an assistant on a production of Romeo and Juliet.  The other assistant and I were doing our post show prop storing, etc. during actor notes following our preview show last night so we were not present for notes.  We suddenly heard heart applause from backstage.  We learned later from several actors that the applause was for us on how well they were being treated backstage and how attentive and professional we had been.  It felt so wonderful to be so appreciated.

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The Green Room / Re: SM: WORST THINGS

« on: May 06, 2012, 06:29 pm »

Finding out - esp in performance - that the director gave important prop/costume/blocking/light/sound notes and never got around to telling you -

TOTALLY the worst! The drives me batty!!

10

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Graduating!

« on: May 04, 2012, 10:44 pm »

Aw, man! Any more advice or words of wisdom?!

11

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Graduating!

« on: Apr 30, 2012, 01:27 am »

Hi, everyone!

So, on May 12, I will be walking across the stage of the State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ! Very excited to receive of my MFA in stage management.

Any fun, helpful life lessons and advice as I embark on my new, post grad adventures? I am not looking for stage management advice (this site is chalk full of great advice), but everything else - I take free advice of all kinds! :-)

12

The Green Room / Re: What was the last nice thing someone did for you?

« on: Apr 23, 2012, 12:10 am »

Just recently, at Opening Night, after the show one of the cast members (my classmate) told me that she was excited to see where I would be heading after graduation. We both graduate this May. She said she looked forward to what I had in store and that I have good things in store for me and the kind of stage manager I am. She went on to say that it's not about good guy or bad guy stage managing - it's about professionalism.   

It was really refreshing to hear...it made me feel great.  Something very validating about compliments from one's peers, I think.

13

The Green Room / Re: SM: WORST THINGS

« on: Apr 23, 2012, 12:07 am »

Trying to erase notes but not being able to get it totally clean. OR when the eraser leaves a pink smudge instead!

Oh, man. How about trying to erase something in your script and in the erasing frenzy, crinkle the page! No matter how neatly I re-write whatever note it is I need,...it is just never the same...

14

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Decision: Emerson vs. Mason Gross

« on: Apr 20, 2012, 12:57 am »

Congratulations!

15

Self-Promotion / Re: The 39 Steps

« on: Apr 17, 2012, 01:17 am »

This show is part of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival this summer, where I am working.  I can't wait to be involved! I saw it off-Broadway a couple of years ago. What fun.