Messages

1

The Green Room / Re: SM: WORST THINGS

« on: Apr 24, 2012, 01:56 pm »

Looking at that is physically painful!

In case it has not already been confirmed, I think we were those kids who went missing from their parents in the store and, instead of being found in the toy aisle, were located in the paper aisle with arms full of supplies crying because they discontinued our favorite writing utensil... or maybe that was just me... 

At the age of 10, my favorite game to play was making paperwork for my imaginary business. The Office Max or whatever it was called back then was my favorite place to go.


One of my worst things is when I am erasing blocking notes in my script and I tear one of the holes on the page. The stickers used to mend said torn page are a constant reminder of what happened, I usually end up replacing the entire page.

2

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Orchestras moving out of the pit

« on: Mar 25, 2012, 02:29 pm »

I did a production of Amadeus where we put a full Orchestra, an Opera Chorus and 26 actors on the stage at the same time. When the show was in discussions, I thought (silently to myself) that this is going to make the stage so incredibly crowded, but I have to give major props to the set designer. Not only did he design an elegant set that accommodated the full orchestra and Opera but it allowed the perfect amount of playing space for the actors. Not once did the stage look crowded or in-cohesive. He put the orchestra in the middle of the stage on the stage floor. And build two sweeping ramps that swirled up from the sides of the stage towards the center of the stage. On the stage right side of the ramp there were two platforms that allowed playing space for the actors (one ramp had a baby grand piano on it as well) and the actors also had space in the very front of the stage. On the stage left side of the swirling ramp was a platform at the top where the Opera Chorus was staged. To this day this is one of my favorite productions that I have ever worked on.

3

Employment / Is there such a thing as picking the wrong show?

« on: Mar 17, 2012, 11:50 am »

Hello,

     I am an AEA stage manager with experience in LORT theaters.  I have recently (two weeks ago) moved to New York. I moved with the understanding that it would take time to network and get sm jobs, but after only a week I was offered two showcases and an asm gig which I had to turn down because of a conflict. Although they pay a very small stipend, I was excited that this all happened so fast, I'm making connections! But now that the pixie dust has settled, I question whether I should have thought a little more about my choices after having to turn down the one show. How do you know what jobs you should do for "free" and which should you pass on? My first reaction to my own question was, "a show is a show", but the reality is not all shows are equal and some will ultimately be more rewarding than others. I love stage managing, but want to make this my career and ultimately make a living doing this. I'm just not sure how to decipher the 'non-paying' shows that will help me grow as a stage manager and help advance my career and the ones that I will simply just do?