Topics

1

Self-Promotion / Warrior Class

« on: Oct 21, 2016, 10:35 am »

My first show as a freelancer!

Warrior Class-A one act play written by Kenneth Lin (House of Cards).  Details below

Playwright Kenneth Lin (TV’s House of Cards) delivers “an absorbing, incisive new play that crackles with authenticity” (NY Times), just in time for the climax of a surprising election season. Michael Tow (Chinglish) plays a New York assemblyman who's been dubbed "The Republican Obama." The son of Chinese immigrants and a decorated war veteran, he looks forward to a seemingly limitless political career. When someone from his past threatens to reveal a college transgression, he must decide how far he'll go to keep the incident out of the public eye.

Previews begin tonight! Shows run Wed-Sun until 11/13

Lyric Stage Company
Boston, MA

2

Self-Promotion / Wizard of Oz

« on: Apr 01, 2016, 12:59 pm »

My bi-annual plug for Endicott College! This Spring, they are doing "Wizard of Oz" in a "new" way. We have the Wicked Witch entering on an electronic moped. Glinda is entering on a hippity hop. We also have a real dog playing Toto, who hasn't been trained and likes to go into the audience!
It will be an interesting night!

April 6th 7:00pm
April 7th-9th 7:30pm
April 9th 2:00pm

Endicott College
Visual Performing Arts Center
Beverly MA

3

Self-Promotion / The Clean House

« on: Oct 19, 2015, 02:24 pm »

It is falling for Fall here in New England. If you have some free time when you're not apple picking or drinking pumpkin spice lattes (or working on a  show), come up to Beverly to see "The Clean House" by Sarah Ruhl.

They added a 10am Friday matinee and it is free! It's a funny show, and different from the usual norm

The Clean House
Endicott College
10/22nd-10/24 at 7:30
23rd at 10am
24th at 2pm

4

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROPS: The Clean House

« on: Sep 14, 2015, 01:51 pm »

The college I teach at is doing the play "The Clean House". There are a couple of props that I'm trying to see what we can use.

The set is an unit set with all white furniture that has to get dirty every night and clean up after the performance.

One prop is a spice that is thrown from the balcony onto the white furniture. It's supposed to be yellow. It could hit some actors.
Another prop is a plant with dirt that is spilled onto the white rug.

We do not have laundry facilities, and will have to purchase cleaning supplies. It's only for five shows.

Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

5

Self-Promotion / Once Upon A Mattress

« on: Apr 13, 2015, 01:10 pm »

Here's my twice a year plug for Endicott College, where I teach.

This weekend they are performing "Once Upon A Mattress". The tech aspect of this show is fantastic for a small college, and the girl playing Fred is an absolute joy.

Spring finally made it to Beverly, so if  you're in the area come check it out

Thursday-Saturday at 7:30
Saturday Matinee at 2pm
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

6

Tools of the Trade / TOOLS: GaffGun

« on: Nov 05, 2014, 02:29 pm »

My department chair sent me this link. Nice idea. I saw a video where it has a longer handle, thereby saving one's back while taping down.

Now, if it can fit any/all gaffee/spike tape sizes, then I would consider spending the $200 on it.

http://www.gaffgun.com/

7

Self-Promotion / The Glass Menagerie

« on: Oct 22, 2014, 10:40 am »

Endicott College, where I teach, has decided not to do a fall comedy and do a drama. Did they pick a drama or what?

I was skeptical at first, but it turned into a great production. We had such talent that we cast two Amandas and two Lauras, who take turns for each performance!
Also, this is the best looking show I've seen them do since I started here.

If you're around Beverly, MA this weekend come on by. With the trees changing colors and the ocean, everyday looks like a postcard!

The Glass Menagerie
Rose Performance Hall
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Thursday, October 23rd @ 7:30 PM-Maybe. Due to the storm the power at the School is out. Classes are canceled, but there is still hope that the show will happen tonight

Friday, October 24th @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 25th @ 2 PM
Saturday, October 25th @ 7:30 PM

8

Self-Promotion / Wonderful Town

« on: Mar 17, 2014, 12:01 pm »

I am an adjunct professor and the stage management adviser for Endicott College in Beverly MA. They are about to go into tech for their production of "Wonderful Town". It'a a very ambitious show and I think it's going to be great!

Performances are 4/3-4/5 at 7:30, and a 2:30 matinee on 4/5. If you're in the area come check it out!

9

The Hardline / Stagehand strike

« on: Oct 03, 2013, 01:31 pm »

Interested to hear other folks opinions.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/02/carnegie-hall-opening-gala-canceled/?ref=arts&_r=0

My thoughts are that I understand both sides, and I wish I was paid as well as the stage hands are paid.

10

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / SCHEDULING: How much information do you give actors?

« on: Sep 27, 2013, 09:16 am »

I'm working on a show that has the entire rehearsal process scheduled; down to the hour. Rather strange for me, but that's neither here nor there.

There is debate on how much of the schedule should we give the actors. We are sending them a calendar that is basic; just saying when rehearsal is occurring, tech, opening, performances, and closing. Just the facts.

There is talk that we give them a weekly breakdown, but the fear is that if say an actor isn't called on a Thursday and we change it and call him, he can give the reason that we changed it "last minute" on him; though I wouldn't change a Thursday schedule later than Tuesday.

And if I only give the next day, I'll get complaints from the parents (kids in show) saying that they need more notice.

Thoughts? The artistic staff is leaving it up to me, and I'm a bit indecisive. 

Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth

11

The Hardline / Mandatory meetings with no contract

« on: Sep 09, 2013, 10:23 am »

I'm the SM on a guest artist contract for a company that I haven't worked with before.  Rehearsals do not start until next month,  and I do not have a signed contract.
So far I've been to two production meetings, and I wasn't able to make the third meeting. I get an email from the director saying that I need to be at all the meetings. Then I get an email with the next meeting scheduled, and that everyone's presence is mandatory.

Normally the theaters I have worked for had understood that Equity SM's can't attend the meetings until they have a signed contract, so I'm a little lost as to how I can approach the artistic director/director regarding this. I was aware that I was going to meetings knowing I didn't have a contract, but I'm surprised by her reaction when I couldn't go to a third meeting.
Anyone had this experience and was able to keep a good working relationship?

12

Self-Promotion / Annie Get Your Gun

« on: Mar 29, 2013, 10:06 am »

Over this past school year I've been working as Stage Management adviser for Endicott College in Beverly MA. Their theatre program is small; they don't offer theatre as a major.

They are performing Annie Get Your Gun April 4th, 5th, and 6th, at 7:30, as well as a 12:30 performance on the 6th.  These kids are working their butts off, and all of them are having a blast.

If you're in the area please check it out.  Seeing these kids enjoy theatre for what it is is really inspiring.

13

Employment / Former employer at job fair-how to approach?

« on: Feb 20, 2013, 05:06 pm »

I'm planning on attending a job fair soon, and my former employer will be attending as well.

It was a summer gig that ended on what I believe was good terms.  When the new summer show was announced I emailed him saying I wasn't going to apply because I'm taking a vacation that was too good to pass up. I told him that I was available before and during tech if he needed an extra set of hands. He didn't respond.

I'm fearing that the job fair will be too small for me to avoid him. Any suggestions on how to approach him to say hi without looking/sounding awkward?

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / SHOWS: Annie Get Your Gun-help with technical effect

« on: Dec 04, 2012, 10:07 am »

A friend of mine is directing a college production of "Annie Get Your Gun" and needs help with one technical effect.

It's at the end of Act I, Scene 3 when Annie is on a trapeze and is shooting at the balloons. We have an idea of what to do with the shooting the balloons, but not sure about the trapeze. The space has no fly-rail system.

Any thoughts? The director is very flexible, and can change it to something else.

Edit to add topic tag. -Maribeth

15

Self-Promotion / Coriolanus-Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

« on: Aug 06, 2012, 03:58 pm »

If you're in Boston this week head to Boston Common to check out Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's free production of Coriolanus. I'm the PSM, and it has been the most wonderful, challenging, terrifying production I have worked on in quite some time.  The cast is wonderful and my stage management staff has been amazing!

Did I mention it's free? It closes Sunday 8/12.

Their website
http://www.commshakes.org/