Topics

1

Introductions / Re-introduction

« on: Nov 15, 2017, 03:31 pm »

Hello all. I've been absent from this site for a couple of years as I had hit "pause" on stage management while focusing on developing an emerging interest in production management. I've returned my primary focus to stage management and thought I would take this opportunity to rejoin this community and re-introduce myself. My former username on the site was "dramachic5191;" I've updated to the username I have for social media, which comes from a nickname given to me by a dear friend and collaborator. I've moved from DC to Boston and am navigating the New England theatre community. Happy to be back as part of the SMNetwork community again.

2

The Green Room / Article: Oscars SM Braces for His Final Cues to the Stars

« on: Feb 25, 2013, 09:26 am »

Didn't get to catch much of the Oscars (though we did have a live feed in the Green Room; happy to report no missed entrances, though a few stragglers at places...).  Here's an interesting article on the Oscars' stage manager:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-oscar-stage-manager-20130224,0,68707.story

3

Self-Promotion / Spring Awakening - Olney Theatre Center (MD/DC area shadowing opportunity)

« on: Feb 15, 2013, 11:39 am »

I'm currently stage managing Spring Awakening at Olney Theatre Center.  This has been a very rewarding process for me and has challenged me in a really good way.  We run through March 10, so if you'll be in the DC area (we're about a 30ish minute drive north of DC) this show is not to be missed.  I'm also open to shadowing; PM me for details.  The lighting, by Robert Wierzel, is INSANE.  A slideshow of production photos can be found on BroadwayWorld and you can also check out our review in the Washington Post. 

4

Self-Promotion / Cinderella - Olney Theatre

« on: Nov 15, 2012, 12:41 am »

We had our first preview tonight for Olney Theatre Center's production of Cinderella. We have been through a challenging tech process, but the cast is amazing and the show is truly magical. 

Shadowing opportunities are available if you are in the DC area (or will be during the run).  Please send me a PM for details.  Fun side note: I met my current ASM/SM intern when he came to shadow after he saw an opportunity I posted on this forum for a show a couple of years ago. 

5

The Hardline / Deputy Elections - Chorus and Principal

« on: Oct 24, 2012, 09:52 am »

When working on a show where a chorus and principal deputy is required, do you usually hold that election as part of your AEA business meeting and say something along the lines of "we need to elect a principal deputy among actors A, B, and C and a chorus deputy among actors X, Y, and Z" or do you try to find a time to meet privately with the principals and chorus at separate times so as not to announce who is on a principal contract and who is on a chorus contract? I've always done the former with no complaint but was recently questioned on that practice.  Having enough time for the AEA business meeting is often challenging enough, especially on musicals/large cast shows, I'm having a hard time imagining a scenario when I could hold two.  Just curious as to what the practice is for other SMs. 

6

The Green Room / Article: Finding PHAMALy

« on: Oct 15, 2012, 08:13 am »

Stage Directions Article: Finding PHAMALy

An interview with Denver's Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League which includes the stage manager's perspective of working with a cast made up entirely of disable actors. 

7

Self-Promotion / The 39 Steps

« on: Apr 16, 2012, 08:39 am »

I am currently working on a production of The 39 Steps at Olney Theatre Center in Olney, MD (DC metro area).  It is one of the most technically challenging shows I've done, but in an amazing kind of way.  It's being performed in our Lab space, which is a 150 seat black box with no fly space.  The artistic team has come up with some really creative and inventive ways of transforming the space to fit the show.  We haven't even opened yet and we've already extended one week.  Previews start this Wednesday and we currently run through May 20.  Please visit The 39 Steps page on our website for more details.

If you are in the DC metro area and are interested in shadowing, please PM me. 

8

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / SHOWS: Little Shop of Horrors - Puppeteers/Training

« on: Jan 06, 2012, 03:05 pm »

I will be working on a production of Little Shop of Horrors this coming season.  If you have worked on a production of Little Shop, I am interested in learning about your experience with the following:

How many puppeteers did your production use for the manipulation of the Audrey II puppet?
Were they actors (AEA or non-AEA) or technicians?
If they were actors, did you also use them as ensemble?
How much training time was needed for the puppeteer(s) to learn how to manipulate the puppets?
How much of that training time was part of the rehearsal hours?
Did you hire an outside company to train the puppeteer(s)?  If so, who? 
 
Any other helpful hints or information that you can provide is appreciated.  Thank you in advance for your responses. 

9

The Green Room / Ryan Gosling meme

« on: Dec 28, 2011, 07:40 am »

I think the one on December 26th is my favorite: http://ryangoslingartsadmin.tumblr.com/

10

Self-Promotion / VelocityDC

« on: Oct 20, 2011, 07:45 am »

I'm currently stage managing my first dance showcase: VelocityDC.  It's a collaboration of several dance companies in the DC area representing a variety of different dance styles.  The companies developed the pieces independently and will be presented gala style.  We started tech yesterday and performances start tonight.  It's been a very interesting experience so far and the pieces I saw yesterday are quite beautiful.  Tickets are only $18, so if you're in the DC area it's definitely worth checking out.

Velocity DC
Four Days of World-class Dance
Sidney Harman Hall
October 20-23
http://velocitydc.org/
http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/velocitydc/

11

The Green Room / The Onion - White House to Hold Second Auditions This Week For "Guys and Dolls"

« on: Apr 06, 2011, 07:03 pm »

Gotta love The Onion!!

http://www.theonion.com/articles/white-house-to-hold-second-auditions-this-week-for,19900/

12

The Green Room / Do you add a personal touch to your booth?

« on: Feb 25, 2011, 01:45 pm »

An actor came up to the booth to visit me before a show and was surprised that I hadn't added some sort of personal touch to the booth, much like the actors decorate their dressing room mirrors.  I had never really thought about it before.  Do you decorate your booth in anyway?  Hang/post a picture?  Have a special item that you must have with you in the booth when you call a show? 

13

The Green Room / "An Actor Postpones"

« on: Dec 25, 2010, 11:42 am »

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/an-actor-postpones/Content?oid=5960482

Fun article about how actors spend their time offstage during a show. 

14

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / COMMUNICATION: Giving notes to young actors

« on: Dec 21, 2010, 11:31 pm »

I'm currently working on a production of Annie and am working with 13 young girls.  We're about 6 weeks into the run and some of the girls are getting to the point where they are bored and coming up with new things to do onstage.  I give them notes like I give notes to the adults in the company when what they are doing exceeds the world of the show that the director created.  However, they'll take one note and come up with something new in a different place the next show.  I have reiterated to them and have spoken with their parents about the importance of doing the show that the director created and to stay focused when they are onstage.  A member of the adult company has suggested that I figure out a way to punish/scare the girls into behaving onstage.  While I understand the actor's frustrations, in watching the show it is not as bad as they are making it out to be and it is really not my style (nor do I particularly feel it's my place) to punish the girls if they do something wrong. 

For those of you who have worked with young actors before, what have you found to be the best method of giving notes to them?  At what point do you involve the parents, if you involve them at all? 

15

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / SCHEDULING: Do you include crew calls on your daily rehearsal calls?

« on: Apr 16, 2010, 10:27 am »

I just got what I thought was an unusual request from the producer to add a crew call time to the daily rehearsal schedule.  I'm in preview week on my current show, and my assistant or I give the crew their call at the end of the production meeting based on the next day's rehearsal schedule and I include it in the performance report, which the crew receives.  I've never seen a rehearsal schedule that included a crew call.  Have you ever had this request?  If you do include crew calls on your daily calls, where do you put it?  My schedule is really designed to be a call sheet for the actors and I'm just not quite sure where to add it in without reformatting/adopting a new type of schedule.  It is a moot point for this show as we are no longer in rehearsal, but I have 3 other shows with the company this season and am thinking ahead.