Messages

1

The Green Room / Re: Search error on website

« on: Jan 27, 2020, 05:14 pm »

I just tried it and it gave me an error message as well. 

2

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROMPT SCRIPT: Creating a Digital Calling Script

« on: Oct 23, 2019, 06:48 pm »

My last few shows I've been using an iPad and Notability App during rehearsals.  I talk all my line notes, blocking, etc in Notability because it is easy to move a notation, drawing, text etc.  At the end of blocking, I take some time to then go back in and clean up my notes in Notability.  I color code all my cues, type them out, move them to the left or right side (depending on how I like to use it), and then go from there.  Before the show opens, I always print out my notes just in case, but I do use the iPad during the run because of my eyesight it is easier to see than a printed page (color blindness and being old!).  I can also share my notes very easily with my ASM or other people as needed. 

Bil

3

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dinner Theater

« on: Jul 26, 2019, 02:56 pm »

I don't work in dinner theatre but had an idea for you. Have you been into a reception area where they have a flashing light when they are on the phone so people know to not interrupt while it is flashing.  Get the same kind of light, just rig it to flash all the time and a note that says "When Flashing, Not Available", and have your headphones on. 

Good luck, that would be annoying!

Best,
Bil

4

The Green Room / Re: Do you attend award ceremonies?

« on: Sep 23, 2018, 10:56 pm »

I only work in community theatre, and I only work in one.  They have an awards show, "The Spotlight Awards", every other year.  There are awards for design (lighting, set, costumes, etc.), acting, singing, & directing awards.  These are voted on by other actors & the community after being nominated by the Artistic Committee.

I've gone to everyone for the last 8 years.  I enjoyed going to them even knowing I wasn't going to get an award.  Two award shows ago they started giving awards for Technical Theatre (SM, construction, lighting, sound, etc.).  It was a surprise, these awards were not voted on by the community, but the artistic committee polled a number of actors & directors.    I've been honored to have been recognized during the last two for Top Stage Manager.  I enjoyed the award shows before they started giving tech awards.  It was great to see friends I had made from previous shows.  I do have to say it's even better now that they are giving awards. 

Good luck!

2018ctaward by Bil Morrill, on Flickr

5

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Manager Duties

« on: Oct 27, 2017, 12:44 pm »

The real question here is: do you give yourself notes after each show? 

Every time I'm on stage I give myself notes.  "Stop fidgeting", "Don't forget your line!", "What is my next line?", "Did you set the brakes on the revolve?", "Focus!", etc.   

6

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Manager Duties

« on: Oct 26, 2017, 01:54 pm »

Stage Management student asking a question here: what is the purpose of having an ASM perform? Wouldn't they be better off supporting the Stage Manager?

To add to what BayAreaSM said, I work at a Community Theatre and it's almost 100% volunteer.  We are currently running Jekyll & Hyde.  We had an actor drop-out and couldn't find any older males to come in with just a few weeks of rehearsals left.  The director is already working as the Music Director as well, so I am now "Sir Archibald Proops" and "Minister" as well as SM in the show.  We make it work the best way we can.  (oh, I also don't have an ASM).  I have really good Light & Sound people that I trust while I am on stage (only about 10 minutes total). 

Bil

7

Tools of the Trade / Re: Rehearsal Reports

« on: Jun 19, 2017, 02:28 pm »

I agree with what Maribeth has said.  Just one small thing to add is if you email it to them (not just share it) they can't come back and say, "You never told me!"

I do my rehearsal reports on Google Docs but I then save it as a PDF and email it to everyone.  It takes me an extra couple of minutes but then I know everyone has it and it is now their choice if they read it or not.  If they say they didn't know, I tell them the exact date I sent it and then resend it to them. 

Best,
Bil

8

The Green Room / Re: Production Haikus

« on: Apr 25, 2017, 06:07 pm »

House is way too hot
Not allowed to change the temp
actors not happy!

9

Self-Promotion / 2017 Schedule

« on: Oct 21, 2016, 06:47 pm »

I've got my 2017 plays set.  SM for all. 

Peter & the Starcatcher - February 3-19 (rehearsals start early December)
Curtains - April 7-30 (rehearsals start early February)
Jekyll & Hyde the Musical - October 6-29 (rehearsals start August)
Seussical - December 1-23 (Rehearsals start early October)

All at Cottage Theatre in Oregon. 

10

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ANIMALS: Birds onstage?

« on: Jun 13, 2016, 02:12 pm »

Just read this today, thought I would share. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/11/theater/harry-potter-play-says-live-owls-will-no-longer-be-used-in-show.html?_r=0

11

Tools of the Trade / Re: Scooped Ice Cream on stage

« on: Jun 03, 2016, 05:09 pm »

Thank you all! 

We've tried cool whip and ice cream so far.  The cool whip looks really good but made one of the actors gag. (sorry but it made me  )

With the ice cream, we pre-scooped it and then deep froze it.  It was easy to "scoop" and since it is on stage for a relatively short amount of time, it didn't melt. 

I brought up potatoes but that got voted down fairly quickly.  I told them if we have one problem with the ice cream, we're going to potatoes right away. 

Bil

12

Tools of the Trade / Re: Scooped Ice Cream on stage

« on: May 26, 2016, 02:19 pm »

Does the ice cream have to be eaten?  Sort of.  The cast will carry the ice cream cones around stage and appear to be eating them.  They exit after about 4 pages of script still "eating" the ice cream. 

I'll give the frozen cool whip a try.  I could even color it before it is frozen for different flavors. 

Bil

13

Tools of the Trade / Scooped Ice Cream on stage

« on: May 26, 2016, 12:21 am »

We are doing Scapino! and at the opening of Act II we would like to have scooped ice cream.  I don't really want to use real ice cream, but will if that's the best.  Any suggestions on how to best do ice cream scooped to cones on stage? 

Colored mashed potatoes?  Pre scooped hard frozen ice cream bars?  Softer ice cream so it's easy to scoop?  Any suggestions would be helpful! 

Thanks
Bil

14

The Green Room / I'm not a SM, but I play one on stage

« on: Feb 28, 2016, 08:53 pm »

I am between shows where I am SM'ing so I thought I would audition for "Annie Get Your Gun". 

I was cast as Charlie Davinport, the Stage Manager for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. 

I call type casting!   

Bil

15

The Green Room / First week night off since October

« on: Jan 22, 2016, 07:11 pm »

Tonight is the first week night I've had off from rehearsals or shows since October (not counting the week I took off for Christmas and went to Disneyland!)  Started 5 night a week rehearsals on October 12th.  That show opened December 4th and we started rehearsals for this show on December 7th.  We open next week and this director (bless his heart!) decided that we all needed a night off!  Back for sitzprobe on Sunday, but I get a Friday night off!  What I am going to do? 

Spend it at home with my wife watching movies!    Man, I know how to live the wild life!

Bil