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Messages - zo_toast

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Pre-show Blues
« on: Nov 22, 2006, 02:27 am »

i've got the pre -show blues, a week until we open, and my lead actor has thrice broken his prop glasses, ill stop there on the list of actor issues.  im dealing with an inexperianced set crew, and explained what i could to them in the simplest way possible, ive had my asm explain further to my explaination. im exhuasted so im not functioning well...

if anyone could send some ideas about how to deal with this point, thatd be sweet

thx

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I'm pretty certain that for first time stage managers once it comes down to crunch time we get alittle nervous.  Perhaps to the point of not sleeping?!? All I can say is that I spent all night last night lying in bed with a pen and pad of paper next to me writing down all the questions about the show that came into my head, tasks that still need to be accomplished etc.  Needless to say, even after I had put down my pen I was still finding it hard to sleep.  I am wondering what others do when it gets to this point in rehearsals to keep themselves alive and functioning at the highest caliber.
Thanks for your insight!

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: I'm looking for advice
« on: Oct 30, 2006, 10:32 am »
Oso
I'm so glad to hear what you're saying.. well, not that you're having a rough time of it with your actors, but the fact that there are others out there..
Its been getting consistantly better with my cast, I am pleased (and ohso relieved) to say.. of course the odd actor occasionally has "a day" but on the whole they're getting the idea alittle more.  I've actually reached a point with them that I get hugs from most all of them before they leave, I've had most of them come up and tell me that they couldnt imagine how hard it must be to have to SM, with all that it entails.. I've even had the odd email in response to a schedualling email, thanking me for doing what I do..
It's a great feeling, and is making my job alot easier.. when i have to yell at them they dont take it personally anymore.. they realize that it is my job, and if i am yelling at them they are obviously doing something wrong.

I hope everything works out for you... maybe try explaining to them that as rough as it is yelling at them is neccisary, if they put you in that sort of position.. also, try to find something that the cast and crew can bond over... for my show it was a revolt against the administration of my school, i was lucky in that this happened relatively early into rehearsals, and my cast bonded very well very quickly.

Break a leg.. I hope your show goes well.

Zo_toast  :D

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: I'm looking for advice
« on: Oct 30, 2006, 01:10 am »
thank you for all your advice!
I love the idea of a conflict calander! sounds like a worthwhile investment if time! im really excited about that idea

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: I'm looking for advice
« on: Oct 21, 2006, 02:31 am »
Wow! I hadn't checked in in a couple of days and apparently it paid off!
Thank you all for your valuable advice.... everything each of you said is such an enormous help, the guidance and support are so much appreciated!!! Thank you thank you thank you    ;D

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: The Ultimate Decision
« on: Oct 19, 2006, 01:08 am »
It appears that Stage Managing is what causes the strongest addiction to the theatre, or atleast that's what I have been noticing.

I'm a new stage manager this year, though it is my third consecutive year doing theatre (classes and productions) in high school (though i grad this year, and am ready to tackle a theatre major in university).  I first fell in love with theatre when i (being from canada) was living in france.  I didnt understand the language at this point, and thought that theatre would be a great way to meet friends and learn the language. I was right on all accounts, but what i didnt expect was the sudden passion i would feel for it.  We were doing a piece called Une Paysage Sur la Tombe (The landscape of the grave).  It was an amazing piece, and they incoporated me, not only in french ( i was there for a year and was fluent by the end and our preformance) and in english.  It was amazing, and the community just engulfed me.

I came back to canada and was really ill (emotionally).. when i started school in septemeber, my grade 11 year, there was a new drama teacher to the school.. Mr. Hedivan.. i bonded with him quickly and as soon as i found out about the Children's Hour, i auditioned, and made it it... not a large part, but i liked it that way... I was promptly at Mr.Hedivans side, asking questions, giving suggestions... not really protocol for your average actor... i think he knew that acting wouldnt be my true calling in theatre.

once that show was over (and i had done alittle bit of everyones job.. when i really shouldnt have), Mr. Hedivan asked if i would like to stage manager this show.. Little Shop of Horrors.. I immediately said yes, and have been in love with this job ever since.. though quite often it would be more accurate to say that i love hating it...

is that normal?

No matter.. it was destiny and i absolutely love my job..

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Hey.
My name is Zoe and I am in grade 12 and Stage Managing my first show (Little Shop of Horrors). 
I really love it but am finding that I am driving myself to the point of insanity.  I am working with an incredably talented cast, and a director who is wonderful on all accounts.  My thing is that I find that no matter how much work I do, no matter how many emails I send out confirming rehearsal dates, times etc, how often im stopped in the halls and whip out my rehearsal schedual, arrive early to make sure everything is set up, there is always a conflict with something or other.  Sometimes its the musical director, who is a total pessimist and downer, never gives these guys positive reinforcement, and is totally NOT involved with the production team, infact he only just told us the day before our biggest music rehearsal in the entire course of rehearsals that he nor the accompanist will be there.  Other times it the actors, I mean I understand having a smaller part (like everyone else ive been there too) and i understand how its lame sometimes to sit around, but there is no way that i can get these guys to listen to me, "please put away your cell phone... turn it off... now please..(etc)" or "yes you are needed tonight, yes for the whole thing, yes i know you only lean up against the garbage cans in this scene but you have already missed 3 rehearsals and we open in 5 weeks so we need you there, no you cannot leave... SIT DOWN". ETC...
I'm not going to pretend that I havent lost my cool, I have, but i have managed to gain the respect of most of my cast members.. all of them actually (except one)... but i just need some advice about what i can do to be a better stage manager.  Anything that you have to offer I will take.
Thank you very much  :D

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