Messages

1

Job Postings / Re: PM needed for NextStop Theatre in Herndon, VA

« on: Aug 05, 2014, 03:16 pm »

NextStop is a fairly new professional company in Herndon, Virginia (Fairfax County). They grew out of a very well thought of community theater group, the Elden Street Players. Their work is top-notch, they have their own performing space and workshop. I'm not sure where they rehearse. They will be (I think) a part of DC's Helen Hayes Awards in the 2015-2016 season.

2

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Newspaper interview for the SM? What?

« on: Sep 17, 2013, 10:47 pm »

They may ask things like:

• What does a stage manager do?
• Being so young, do you find it difficult to manage the cast of experienced actors?
• How do you balance schoolwork and the demands of theatre?
• How did you get the job?
• What other shows have your worked on?
• Your favorite show?
• Your dream show?
• Do you want to perform?
• Is stage managing just temporary until you get cast in a show?
• Who is your favorite actor in the cast?
• What do you think of the director?

Good luck! It will be fun! Mike

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Dealing with Panic Situations

« on: Sep 05, 2013, 08:33 pm »

Stop. Breathe. Repeat.

It's a learned skill for most of us. Experience and past history all add up to help make you the SM (or ASM) you are. I'm sure in those situations you described you learned something, and will hopefully handle the situation differently when it happens again. Also, talk with your SM afterwards and find out how they would have preferred you to handle the situation.

I started a thread on this topic a few years ago. https://smnetwork.org/forum/stage-management-plays-musicals/costumes-wardrobe-malfunction-hold-the-show/msg32320/ I did learn a lot from that experience, although at the time it was very stressful.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PRE-PRODUCTION: Noises Off! How to be Prepared?

« on: Aug 21, 2013, 08:19 am »

Not to get too deeply into specifics, after all Dani is learning here, but when I worked on Noises Off, we used fishing lures with the hooks removed. And we found our "sardines" everywhere at final strike. In the furniture, under the set, crushed into the gaps on the stage floor, in costumes.

Maybe the Noises Off video is ok, but it may be the exception rather than the rule (guideline). Unless you're looking at a film of a stage performance, most movies "based on the play" have significant differences. And that's a different thread from Dani's original question.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PRE-PRODUCTION: Noises Off! How to be Prepared?

« on: Aug 20, 2013, 11:55 pm »

Hi, and welcome to SMNetwork,

Don't watch the movie adaptation of a stage production. It is very likely different in script, execution, effects, etc…..

Read the script. Make tons of notes on the script. Each time through the script look at a different technical area. First time through, just read it to see what happens in the show. For example, Noises Off has a huge set change issue that happens twice; and another set issue that happens multiple times in each act. Read through it again, and look at props. List out each prop that is mentioned, where does it appear on stage, where does it come from, where does it end up? Are any props used multiple times? Read it again, and make note of costume issues. Read it again, and make note of actors' entrances/exits. Read it again, look for any odd blocking (for example, maybe a character will make an entrance or perform from somewhere not on stage). Read it again, look for and note any lighting or sound effects. Read it again, and look for ...

Now, you're not going to be actually doing anything directly with most of those lists. But each reading of the script and list you create will teach you the show. And then when Designer X comes to you and asks a question, or when you're sitting in a design meeting, you'll have a sense of how their concern/idea fits into the show.

Best wishes on Noises Off. It is a bear of a show, and done well it is a great show. Rehearsal can be tough, as props require a ton of attention to detail.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Manager gone Actor? Bad idea?

« on: Jul 24, 2013, 11:36 pm »

A few years ago when I was still fairly new to the theater world (I was (and still am) a writer about theatre) I decide to audition for a show so I could write about the experience. I was actually cast as one of the leading roles. Looking back at it, I was horrible, but it was a tremendous learning experience. Go ahead and audition, but maybe touch base with the director in advance so the director won't be taken by surprise at seeing you on stage.

7

Employment / Re: Leaving a difficult situation just before Opening...

« on: Jun 24, 2013, 07:43 pm »

They (the cast and production staff) are already high and dry. Leave. Flee. I learned the hard way in a show I worked a long time ago that the stress you are describing here just is not worth it. Especially if your initial payment hasn't been made. I'd guess you can probably write it off, you'll never get it.

I've also learned to avoid working with a director/producer. The jobs are so different that they shouldn't be done by the same person. Or a married couple (one directs, one produces. In a battle, they'll side with each other, not you.).

Leave. Flee. Good luck, it's not a fun situation to be in.

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

« on: Jun 11, 2013, 05:01 pm »

"Guess what, everyone? Everything's finished, so we're going home an hour early! See you all bright and early for opening tomorrow!"

I've said this one before! We even cancelled the final night of tech because everything came together so well that week! I guess that  show may be the exception that proves the rule.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: Personal reasons NOT to do a show?

« on: May 08, 2013, 06:18 pm »

Old joke: Guy goes up to a woman at a bar and asks "Will you sleep with me for a million dollars?" She looks at him, thinks it over, and says "Sure!" He says "Would you sleep with me for five bucks?" She exclaims "No way, what kind of woman do you think I am?" He replies "We already settled that, now we're just haggling over price."

There are several shows I would not want to work (or even see again) because I simply do not think they can be done well. This is almost always the script's fault. One of those shows after I saw it the first time, I said to myself if it ever is done again, I need to see it so I can see if it is possible to be enjoyable. And sure enough, it wasn't. And oddly enough, the shows on that short list of mine aren't particularly "adult" or "controversial."

10

Tools of the Trade / Re: Online Callboards

« on: May 06, 2013, 05:37 pm »

I use a customized WordPress installation for my shows as well, with a blanket password for the entire site.

You might want to be careful about using third party solutions where the actor/child has to create an account. If they are under 13 years old, they might not be allowed to create an account because of child privacy laws in the US.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Rehearsals: Be quiet!

« on: May 03, 2013, 05:08 pm »

I reviewed a show once where I had to mention in the review itself that I could hear the cast whispering/talking backstage, and that it was distracting to the audience. I wish I could have seen the show again later to see if it made any difference at all.

12

Job Postings / Re: SeaWorld, San Antonio - Seasonal Stage Manager

« on: Apr 04, 2013, 09:59 pm »

How often do you have to swim in the job?

Must be able to swim

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Slapstick scenes involving water gags on stage

« on: Mar 13, 2013, 11:12 am »

If I remember correctly, The Cripple of Inishmaan has a food fight scene involving eggs (only eggs?).

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Employment / Re: Salary Requirements

« on: Jan 06, 2013, 06:15 pm »

Keep in mind taxes when (if) you list a figure. You'll lose out on something like 7% right off the top for Social Security. Then another 15% at least for federal taxes. If you've only been contracts in the past, the tax calculations will be handled differently with a salary.

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The Green Room / Re: New Years Resolutions

« on: Jan 06, 2013, 06:10 pm »

I have two goals for the year:

1) Continue to get healthier. I lost 24 pounds in 2012, mostly by eating smaller portions and exercising regularly. Now I need to start eating better foods (more fruit and veggies), in addition to start doing strength/core work. I did my first strength class on Saturday morning, and I *am* feeling it today.

2) Stay on top of my email inboxes. I get so much email, I need to be more consistent with dealing with the messages, as well as getting of of many of the lists I'm on.