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16
SMA Members should have already received this info by email (several times, in fact!), but just to let everyone know, we're having our first ever teleconference so that our entire membership has the opportunity to participate.  Members, please refer to your e-mail for info on how to call in.  And if you're attending in person, please RSVP to Cheryl by Sunday - and bring along your election ballot if you haven't already turned it in.  If you wish to participate in an amendment discussion (whether in person or via teleconference) please email Margie.

Erin
Co-Secretary, SMA
--
Dear SMA Member,

     Now is the time to RSVP for the Tuesday May 22nd Annual Meeting taking place in the AEA Council Room 165 West 46th Street, NYC, 10036 at 2:30 in the afternoon.  Light refreshments of sandwiches and soft drinks, juice and water will be served.

     Please pay attention to the RSVP instructions as they are a little different this time:

To RSVP that you will attend in person:
Contact Cheryl Mintz at cmintz AT mccarter.org by Sunday May 20th.  Put [SMA RSVP] in the subject line.  Thank you.

Please RSVP even if you think you might attend, so the proper amount of food can be ordered.

     If you wish to participate in the discussion of the amendments, regardless of whether you are calling into the meeting or attending in person, please contact Margie Price at margiepriceaea AT gmail.com to be included on the speakers list. Put [SMA SPEAKERS LIST] in the subject line and specify if you have a question or a comment about an amendment and specify which amendment.

     In addition to the speaker's list created in advance, we will pause briefly after every discussion to take new names for the speaker's list.  This way everyone will be assured of being recognized without creating chaos.

Other information for members calling in:
The Executive Board, and the tele-conference managers at Actors' Equity, strongly suggest that regional members plan to get together and call in from a speakerphone, because the more call-ins, the greater the chance of background noise.  It would also be helpful if you know how to mute your phone so that the local noise/sounds will not carry to the conference call until you wish to speak.
The Council Room is a roomy space and we have a place for all  who can make the trip to New York City.   To those who cannot attend in person, we appreciate your consideration of all the rules we have to create in order to make this tele-conference a success.  This is an exciting new chapter we are beginning. 



17
Okay, so this is going to come across fairly un-PC and probably rude, but...

I don't think anyone's mentioned another very different aspect about opera.  In general, people are not as health/weight conscious as other genres....I mean there's the general idea about "fat ladies in opera" - I've done an educational tour, where we make fun of that stereotype and all....but having worked around a lot of dancers and musical theatre types in my past...let's just say I really have to actively think about exercise and dieting right now as I do an opera gig.  True, there are nowhere near the amount of stereotypical larger people in the cast that would first come to mind...but it's definitely not an obsession with skinniness like many other companies I've worked with lately.

Am glad I packed my Pilates mat, but still finding myself slipping into "oh, I could eat/drink that, too"...and "oh, gee, did I drink ANY water today?"  (Doesn't help that water bottles are basically outlawed in the rehearsal halls, too, of this particular place.)  And of course with any stage managers' schedule, it's hard to fit time in for exercise when sleep is also important...or catching up on things like SMNetwork...

Erin (Who managed to lose quite a bit of fat about 4 years ago and have basically maintained since then, though it's creeping back right now...)

18
SMNetwork Archives / Digging Out in Denver
« on: Dec 22, 2006, 09:18 pm »
Anyone heard of the blizzard in Denver?  Well, Wednesday I was supposed to fly out to Ohio for Christmas.  I quickly realized that my 3:12 p.m. flight was probably not going to work, so booked myself a couple standby tickets.  Did not make it to the airport in time for the first one.  After spending a rapidly deteriorating drive to the airport - stopping twice to clear the ice from under my wipers - I managed to wait for a snowy shuttle, get in line, stand there forever as all possible flights started getting cancelled, and got to the counter to have them issue me a receipt.  I was one of the last lucky ones to turn around and get out of the airport.  4900 were stranded there when the road to it was closed.  As it was, I barely got my car out of the drift that had already created behind it in the parking lot, then spent another treacherous drive home, and proceeded to basically snuggle in (once my boyfriend was finally released from his show and got home through the "surreal" traffic as he described it).  Took lots of great pictures, including a progression of those out my balcony as the snow deepened, and then some gorgeous shots of the sun setting (once it finally came out yesterday) against the snow.

But 'twil definitely be a White Christmas!  Now am wondering exactly how early I need to be at the airport on the 26th for a flight for my next job!  Currently they're saying 2 to 3 hours to check in and at least another hour at security...

Erin

19
In case the news hasn't made it across the country....

The new smoking ban in Denver includes theatres, regardless of whether they use tobacco or herbal.  And 3 area theatres went to court complaining about "freedom of speech" rights and failed.  (And they used a law firm that had previously successfully gotten an exclusion for theatres in Boulder, which is just north of Denver.)

Now personally, I hate smoking in public places.  But there are some shows you simply can't do without cigarettes.  And as the theatre companies tried to show the court, the kind where you blow the puff of talc out simply doesn't cut it...

Read about it http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5106658,00.html

I gotta say my favorite "reader comment", however, is where someone asked if it would be legal to smoke marijuana instead.  Because if it also hasn't made the national news, about a year ago they passed a law making it legal in the city of Denver to possess an ounce of marijuana if you're 21.  However, earlier this month an attempt to make it a state law, too, did not pass (and of course not federal), so police basically still say it's illegal.

Anyway, I'm strongly against smoking personally, and yet, I do think there should be an exception for theatre.  Just look at the few plays listed in the article as examples.  I think you can also do it in moderation for the show, and give the illusion you're smoking much more...Perhaps if you put wild disclaimers on every publicity notice, too, not just outside the theatre door you could adequately warn those who would be offended.

Erin

20
Hello All!
 
The new 2007 guidelines are now posted for this year's KC Mehl Scholarship.  In addition to reading below, make sure you take a chance to read how this year's scholarship winners have used their SMA memberships at http://www.stagemanagers.org/#kcmehl (you may need to click again on the KC Mehl title to get the details). 
 
--
The KC Mehl Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established in memory of Stage Manager KC Mehl who died on March 19, 2005 at the age of 21.  Before her death, KC had begun a promising career as a Stage Manager in Philadelphia’s theatrical community. She had fostered mentor relationships with several experienced Stage Managers in order to learn the delicate art of Stage Management.  Although she was not yet an official member of the Stage Managers’ Association, she was active with Philadelphia’s SMA events and showed a commitment to the ideals of the SMA. This Scholarship is meant to encourage such attributes in others.
 
This fund would provide a one-time gift to young Stage Managers to cover the fee of a one year Associate Membership in the SMA. Any person who demonstrates an intent to pursue a career as a professional Stage Manager is eligible for Associate Membership. An Associate Member may attend all meetings and gatherings, and serve on committees, but has no voting privileges. 

Stage Managers who are 19 – 22 years of age should send their Stage Management resume, one letter of recommendation from a professional Stage Manager* and a letter of commitment to a career in Stage Management to Megan Allen at kcmehl19@stagemanagers.org
Documents should be sent in a format that is PC compatible.
Please put [SMA] KC Scholarship Fund in the subject line. 
Application deadline for 2007 is Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 11:59pm
*Individuals who have not worked with a professional stage manager may submit a letter from an established theatre professional with whom they have worked, be it a professor, director, actor, or designer.
 
Stage Managers who are 23 – 26 years of age should send their Stage Management resume, one letter of recommendation from a current Member of SMA and a letter of commitment to a career in Stage Management to Alfredo Macias at kcmehl23@stagemanagers.org
Documents should be sent in a format that is PC compatible.
Please put [SMA] KC Scholarship Fund in the subject line. 
Application deadline for 2006 is Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 11:59pm
 
There will be three Scholarship Recipients each year: one from the Eastern Region, one from the Central Region and one from the Western Region of the United States.
2007 Scholarship Recipients will be named in January 2007.
 
 
The Application process for 2008 will be in November 2007 and Recipients will be named in January 2008.

21
Stage Management: Other / Education Department Websites?
« on: Oct 22, 2006, 06:21 pm »
Okay, I really don't know which forum I should post this in, so since I'm doing it for an opera company I stuck it here.  Moderators, feel free to move it if you've got somewhere better...

So, I've recently been "promoted" (at least in title and number of hours I can work at my part-time hourly job) to Production Manager/Stage Manager for the Educational Department where I've already been stage managing.  One of my new duties is to try to figure out how to jazz up our area of the website.  (And, no, not necessarily a typical Prod Mgr duty either, but hey, I'm the most computer literate of us and most flexible schedule.)  So I've been asked to poke around other companies' sites and get a feel for what "works" and what doesn't.  I'm not asking you guys to DO all my work for me, but if anyone has suggestions of really good example websites let me know.  Then again, I guess bad ones, too, so I know what to steer away from doing for ourselves.

I'm wondering what would be good for content.  We plan on putting of course descriptions of each of the shows we tour, and making their study guides available for download.  (I've been working on those today, and converting to pdf.)

Thanks for any help/advice/direction,
Erin

22
Uploaded Forms / Music Breakdown
« on: Oct 13, 2006, 07:31 pm »
Here's a form I use when doing a musical, so that when someone needs to know where to pick up for a certain song, I can give the song number (used by orchestra), song title, script page (director), score page (music director), vocal book page (actor/performer), and who is in it (me!).  This particular show had 5 people, so I was able to give them each a column.  For a full-size musical, I would simply have one column for actors involved and then list, for example "Laurey and Ensemble Girls" (and if needed, the last names of said ensemble girls).

Erin

23
Stage Management: Other / Just SMed my first fashion show
« on: Sep 29, 2006, 07:30 pm »
Oh my!

What made this more difficult - other than being my first fashion show - was that it was also the producers' first fashion show.  And since one was the partner of a very good friend of mine (and why I was asked to do it), at least I didn't have as much need to make sure the client got exactly what they wanted....they simply didn't really know, and I was able to have a few "no, you can't have that" or "I need you to make a decision - NOW!" moments, as well as just make some artistic decisions on my own.

It was the first time I have called a show completely off a computer...things were changing so much right up to the last moment, there really was no other way.  I had some rough cues typed into an Excel document before I got to the venue that day, based on a very rough rundown list I'd received (trust me, I'd tried to get more info)...but quite a bit changed throughout the day, even the number of looks the models would be wearing, and what exactly would go on onstage after the fashion show.  I also now know a lot better (and so do the new producers) of what things we need to know better ahead of time.  Our biggest issue during the event (which we tried to fix at rehearsal but didn't really have time) was timing the models both with music and how long it would take to change to the next look.  And though my friend from the very beginning had told me I'd have one person on headset each side of the stage, I still was trying to locate a 2nd person up until about 15 minutes before the rehearsal.  And then they wanted to switch volunteers on me for the actual show, and I put my foot down and said I was keeping the same one.  (It was a benefit fashion show, hence the volunteers.)

One nice thing is that everyone seemed to think I did a good job.  I relied on the "team spirit" thing and when I could without sounding too stupid asked the A/V crew who'd done these kind of things before for help/advice, especially on ways to combine music and voiceover ideas the client had, but really didn't have good ideas of how to make happen.  And I tried to keep the crew as up-to-date as I could.  Both the woman who ran the venue and the A/V staff asked me for my business cards, and this looks like it could add to more freelance in the future.  A few hours craziness, but might be a nice addition to my workload every so often.  Keep me on my toes!  And said friend who got me the job...when I saw him at the afterparty immediately started to get on his knees and said "don't make me grovel!".  Hee.  ;D

I'd shadowed on an industrial before, so at least I had that experience going in...and of course the joy of live theatre where "anything can happen"!  And luckily I've worked on quite a few "big shows"...for this venue I was calling powerpoint, lights, sound (music/voiceover/live mic), strobes, and every single model entrance...

Erin

24
Are you a 19-26 year old who has thought of joining the SMA but hadn't quite done it?  Well, there's a new scholarship that might be just for you!

The KC Mehl Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established in memory of Stage Manager KC Mehl who died on March 19, 2005 at the age of 21.  Before her death, KC had begun a promising career as a Stage Manager in Philadelphia’s theatrical community. She had fostered mentor relationships with several experienced Stage Managers in order to learn the delicate art of Stage Management.  Although she was not yet an official member of the Stage Managers’ Association, she was active with Philadelphia’s SMA events and showed a commitment to the ideals of the SMA. This Scholarship is meant to encourage such attributes in others.

This fund would provide a one-time gift to young Stage Managers to cover the fee of a one year Associate Membership in the SMA. Any person who demonstrates an intent to pursue a career as a professional Stage Manager is eligible for Associate Membership. An Associate Member may attend all meetings and gatherings, and serve on committees, but has no voting privileges.  
 
Stage Managers who are 19 – 22 years of age should send their Stage Management resume, one letter of recommendation from a professional Stage Manager and a letter of commitment to a career in Stage Management to Sandra Giasulla at kcmehl19@stagemanagers.org
Documents should be sent in a format that is PC compatible.
Please put [SMA] KC Scholarship Fund in the subject line.  
Application deadline for 2006 is Wednesday March 8, 2006 at 11:59pm (Eastern)
 
Stage Managers who are 23 – 26 years of age should send their Stage Management resume, one letter of recommendation from a current Member of SMA and a letter of commitment to a career in Stage Management to Elana Wolff at kcmehl23@stagemanagers.org
Documents should be sent in a format that is PC compatible.
Please put [SMA] KC Scholarship Fund in the subject line.  
Application deadline for 2006 is Wednesday March 8, 2006 at 11:59pm (Eastern)

There will be three Scholarship Recipients each year: one from the Eastern Region, one from the Central Region and one from the Western Region of the United States.
2006 Scholarship Recipients will be named in March 2006.


The Application process for 2007 will be in November 2006 and Recipients will be named in January 2007.

25
SMNetwork Archives / Denver-bound
« on: Feb 01, 2006, 12:56 am »
Hey all!

I'm moving in a few weeks to Denver for personal reasons..and I freelance anyway, so seems like a better place than based out of Nashville for now.  (Very much a music town, Nashville, not so much theatre that can sustain a living.)  Anyone there in Denver, or passing through, let me know!  After I'm settled in a bit, I figure I'll search around the local colleges and theatres and drum up a Drink Night or two.

Erin

26
So the current show I'm working on has a director who REALLY needs it quiet in the room.  Sometimes he seems to get thrown off just by the scratch of a pencil as my assistant and I write notes (as we've been very much chastised about ANY whispering - and trust me, this is not my first time in a rehearsal hall).  Anyway, the ASM fidgets.  Big time.  For a while I can keep her occupied with a squishy stress ball thing I have...and sometimes even just try to get her to bounce the OTHER leg (the one farthest away from anyone else).  

Anyone have any suggestions?  I think this is something you learn to control over time...

Erin

27
The Hardline / Anyone here AGVA?
« on: Apr 11, 2005, 12:22 am »
Is anyone here a member of AGVA (I believe it stands for American Guild of Variety Artists)?  I work on a show that requires AGVA performers, but not stage managers...I've heard that if we ever went union we'd be paid less, but I'm wondering just how true that would be and what the going rates are...I am Equity, but was told (years ago, and admit I never checked) that it was okay for me to take the job since not under Equity jurisdiction.

If anyone is AGVA, please private message me so I can fire a few questions at you!

Erin

28
SMNetwork Archives / Coping with the unemployment duldrums...
« on: Feb 02, 2005, 01:12 pm »
So I dont' know about any of you....but I tend to work "so hard" when I actually have a show, that when I don't, I tend to totally veg out and then wonder where the day went.

My current way to cope with this is to type (to a very patient friend who says he actually enjoys them) my own rehearsal or performance report for the day.....the topics include "Entertainment" (what cds, dvds, I've enjoyed etc), and "Accomplished"...for things I've done...I've found that it keeps me more on task, wanting to actually have something to type in the accomplished section, whether it be things like reconciling bank statements, reorganizing a cabinet, or trying new recipes.  Or applying for jobs...right!

I dunno...silly, but kinda fun and I definitely have accomplished more in the last few days that I've started this.  

Erin

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