61
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Running Tech, etc.
« on: Nov 01, 2006, 08:59 pm »
I've never heard of a "bump in"...can someone explain that term?
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62
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Rehearsals: Rehearsal Suggestions
« on: Nov 01, 2006, 08:53 pm »
Recently a new SM asked me to provide him with some good rules for rehearsal-what he should/shouldn't say, etc. After giving that to him, I thought some folks might find it useful. (Just so you know, I'm a professional SM currently pursuing my MFA so I've been doing this for awhile. 
)
1. Most directors want stage managers to be seen and not heard. Unless you're asked, you should never offer your advice or an opinion. You never want to tell a director how to do their job-you can offer the problem, but don't offer the solution unless you're asked.
2. Try to anticipate the director's needs and requests-it's super helpful if you can be one step ahead. I always love it when a director asks me to take a note for a rehearsal report and I've already noted it.
3. Never answer a question with "I don't know". If you honestly don't know the answer, say "I don't have that information right now, but I will get you an answer as soon as possible."
4. Try not to fidget immensely or create lots of excess noise during rehearsal. Un pack everything you'll need, unwrap any snacks, etc. Lots of directors are noise sensitive.
5. Make sure you know where all the lights are as well as temperature controls-as much as possible you want your rehearsal space to be well lit and comfortable. If you don't have control over the temperature, find out who does so you know who to talk to.
6. NEVER bash a director in front of your cast, or a cast member to an actor. If it's happening and you're present, simply don't take part of the conversation. If someone asks your opinion, change the subject or just say you'd prefer not to comment.
This list could go on forever, but these are some of the immediate things I thought of. I hope this is helpful to others!
)1. Most directors want stage managers to be seen and not heard. Unless you're asked, you should never offer your advice or an opinion. You never want to tell a director how to do their job-you can offer the problem, but don't offer the solution unless you're asked.
2. Try to anticipate the director's needs and requests-it's super helpful if you can be one step ahead. I always love it when a director asks me to take a note for a rehearsal report and I've already noted it.
3. Never answer a question with "I don't know". If you honestly don't know the answer, say "I don't have that information right now, but I will get you an answer as soon as possible."
4. Try not to fidget immensely or create lots of excess noise during rehearsal. Un pack everything you'll need, unwrap any snacks, etc. Lots of directors are noise sensitive.
5. Make sure you know where all the lights are as well as temperature controls-as much as possible you want your rehearsal space to be well lit and comfortable. If you don't have control over the temperature, find out who does so you know who to talk to.
6. NEVER bash a director in front of your cast, or a cast member to an actor. If it's happening and you're present, simply don't take part of the conversation. If someone asks your opinion, change the subject or just say you'd prefer not to comment.
This list could go on forever, but these are some of the immediate things I thought of. I hope this is helpful to others!
63
College and Graduate Studies / Re: Little help please...
« on: Nov 01, 2006, 08:30 pm »
Hi there! I'm at the University of Missouri Kansas City which offers and MFA in Stage Management, and eager undegrads are given plenty of opportunity. Check us out!
64
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / REHEARSALS: Dialect Rehearsals
« on: Oct 24, 2006, 12:52 am »
I'm currently working on a production in grad school w/ a three member cast. They're doing individual dialect rehearsals tomorrow night, and the director and dialect coach have said I'm not needed, but I would almost feel guilty skipping rehearsal (though I could use the night off to work on school work). What are people's opinions?
65
College and Graduate Studies / U/RTA's
« on: Apr 25, 2006, 06:43 pm »
I just did them in Chicago this past February, and was indeed made an offer by UMKC that I have accepted. I think it helps because you get to talk to multiple schools at once, and the advice I got from them was not to apply to their university until the recruiter had said I should to really seriously be considered. I took a recent prompt book w/ me as well as copies of my resume. That's all I needed. Mostly they asked me what I was looking for in a program after the description they gave me of what their school had to offer-basically just 15 minutes of chatting and talking about SM'ing-very low key.