Messages

1

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: How many times have you Stage Managed the same play/musical?

« on: Jul 18, 2011, 08:08 am »

In about a month, I'll start my 4th production of The 39 Steps (all in one year.)  It has almost been a tour of Florida (did it in Orlando, Fort Myers, and Miami) with a random production in Rhode Island.    It's fun.

2

Employment / temporary jobs between gigs

« on: Oct 18, 2010, 10:02 pm »

Hey all,

So, I have a NYC showcase about to go into rehearsals and I'm trying to find another job to cover bills and what not.  Only problem is, I have an SPT contracted gig in FL. in Jan, so the temp job can only be for two months.  and I have no idea where i can work during that time.

Where have other people gotten temp jobs between gigs or during gigs with night rehearsals?

3

Tools of the Trade / Re: What gloves do you use when you're pulling ropes?

« on: Jun 12, 2010, 10:28 am »

I recently had to operate a rope on pulleys that opened an accordion-like wall.  This happened about 16 times in one performance.  I tried fingerless weight lifter gloves that the theater had but I didn't feel like I had enough protection for my pads below my fingers.  And my fingers started getting sore.  I went to Sports Authority and other sports stores and didn't find anything I liked.  I finally went to Home Depot and found Firm Grip brand. 

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg3/R-100372745/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

(this is the heavy duty kind.  search for "gloves" to find other types of Firm Grip.)

you can get lightweight, heavy duty, even waterproof.  Very comfortable, soft material and padding for all the right areas.  and all for around $20.  Very good investment.

4

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: AEA Membership Candidate Program

« on: Jun 04, 2010, 09:26 pm »

Funny you should say that Matthew, because I just received my notice from Equity that I've completed 50 weeks.    So, rgkelle, it's possible.  I started collecting points summer after my sophomore year and just finished getting them this past May.  So, it took about 3 years (2 summers during college, 1 summer after, and year after graduation.)  But I'm probably going to wait a year to join (that or get offered a contract before the year's up.)

Best of luck rgkelle!

5

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Broadway theaters

« on: Jun 03, 2010, 11:36 am »

Thanks!  I went into the city yesterday and sent out resumes to a good number of PSMs on Broadway.  Hopefully that will help. 

I think I have a good amount of experience.  I've worked at 4 different regional theaters (will be 5 in July), and 1 theater in Brooklyn.  There has been a range of different shows I've worked on and different positions from intern to ASM to SM to PSM to replacement SM.  (I've been building up my resume for 5 years now.)  And I believe i have all my EMC points (have to call Equity to make sure.)  So, I believe I'm ready for Equity work, but I guess I'll know for sure when Equity theaters are willing to hire me.

6

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How do you get into a national tour?

« on: May 23, 2010, 08:13 pm »

I'm interested in sending my resume to Columbia Artists Theatricals/Music Theatre Assoc.   Whose the best person to email it to?  The associate contact manager?  The production associate?  The vice-president or the president?  or should I just send my resume in by snail mail?

Thanks.

7

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Broadway theaters

« on: Jan 12, 2009, 12:30 am »

Got a question.

I'm interested in applying for assistant stage management positions at Broadway theaters.  Who do I have to send cover letters and my resume to?  and can only Equity SMs apply?

thanks.

8

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Production stage managing

« on: Dec 09, 2007, 11:39 pm »

So, I've stage managed 2 main stage shows and many lab shows at my college.  And for next semester, I have been given the job of production stage manager for The Tempest.  Now, I have always thought that the production stage manager is in for tech week and calls the show.  But it seems like the director wants me to oversee the stage manager and help her out since I'm a junior and she's a freshman. 

I did something like this before last year for a lab show but we were co-stage managers and when he called the show, I was backstage basically as assistant stage manager.

but there already is an assistant stage manager for The Tempest.  I really feel I have no job for this production.  Is this normal?

9

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Apprenticeships

« on: Aug 18, 2007, 10:57 pm »

I'm looking into applying for an internship at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.  Does anyone know if it's worth it?  I mean, I know Jack O'Brien is the Artisitc Director there and he is a brilliant director, and it looks really good.  But as anyone actually worked there and can tell me more about it?  Thanks!

10

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Apprenticeships

« on: Mar 21, 2007, 02:05 pm »

It is a good place but they do rely on (read: overwork) the interns when they should have more Equity ASMs.

I'm not sure how much the SM interns work at STNJ (but I'll find out this summer!), and though they could hire Equity ASMs, an intern can learn a lot there and also get points towards EMC.  And as an intern, you should expect to do a lot of work.

11

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Graduate School Question

« on: Feb 22, 2007, 08:37 am »

Yeah, i have the same question.  Is it really worth it to get a masters in stage management?  and how long should you wait after graduating to get it?  or should you go straight from undergrad to grad school?

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Microphone list

« on: Feb 19, 2007, 08:06 pm »

Thanks guys!

13

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Microphone list

« on: Feb 19, 2007, 04:53 pm »

Hey guys,

I got a question.  I have been asked by the director and producer of a high school do come up with a list of who gets what microphone when (since we have tons of soloists and only 12 microphones).  Does anyone have or know of a proper format that I should put the info into?  I really want it to look professional.  Thanks all!

PS the show is Les Miserables.

14

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Production, or no Production. That is the question.

« on: Feb 13, 2007, 02:45 pm »

ok, so in the US, the stage manager calls the show.  That's good.  That's what I want to do. 

15

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Pre-show Blues

« on: Feb 13, 2007, 01:07 pm »

nope.  Shakespeare in Love.  Brilliant movie.

weird thing is, we never had stage managers in high school.  We had assistant directors, and they really don't do much.  My first real experience was when i got to college.  My first show SMing was Urinetown, the musical, which included light cues, moving light cues, and turntable cues.  I made a ton of mistakes during tech, but the show went brilliantly and after that, my director/professor now calls me an experienced SM and this past show, he paired me up with a freshman (I'm a sophmore) to co-SM a senior project and help him along and answer any of his questions. 

I always get stressed or depressed during tech, but what gets me through it and makes me want to go through the whole process again, is the wonderful production that comes out of it.  All the hard work you put into it; into controllng the actors and explaining a billion times to the stage crew what to do, makes the whole thing totally worth it.  Also, I love all the inside jokes during rehearsal that you can share with the actors later on and have eveyone look at you weirdly.