Topics

16

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / RUNNING: Notes from director after opening??

« on: Oct 28, 2007, 01:13 pm »

So I am having an issue with my current show that I am not quite sure how to deal with.  I apologize in advance if this is a bit of a rant...
We are well into our run, and I am still getting notes after every performance from the director, who goes to every show.  This is a professional (but non-union) company.  It not the "what happened with..." kind of notes that I have a problem with, but the "this set piece didn't move at the exact second I think it should, and that's dangerous, and you need to talk to the crew and fix it" kind of notes or notes about what I need to tell the crew.  I am trying to not be over sensitive about it, but I am used to working in an environment where the show is the SM's after opening, not the director's.  By the time that I get his notes, I have already resolved whatever the issues are and given the appropriate notes to the crew.   I will also say that this is a director that I work with frequently, and he does this to all of the staff, not just me.
Has anyone else had to deal with this?  Did you address it with the director?  If so, how?  Or is it just that I need to suck it up and ignore him, knowing that he is not trying to be malicious?  I appreciate any advice anyone can give.

Thanks!
SSM

17

Employment / References from the same organization??

« on: Sep 07, 2007, 04:45 pm »

Thank you in advance for any insight that anyone can give to this.

I have been lucky enough to have done resident work for most of my career, meaning that I have been at theatres for 3-7 years.  I frequently work with the same directors/designers/production staff. 

My question is when listing references, is it ok to list 3 people from the same organization?  I feel like the longer I have worked, the more I have learned, and therefore have become a better SM, and someone that I worked with 3 years ago has a different idea of my skills than someone I worked with 3 weeks ago.  I am concerned with listing people from the same place (especially for any of the work I have done as a staff member of a University), because I feel like it doesn't show enough variety and makes me look less professional.

Would anyone be able to offer some advice on this?  It is not an urgent issue, but as I do occasionally send out resumes, it would be very helpful.

Thank you!!

SSM

18

Stage Management: Other / Cosi fan Tutte score w/ no measure numbers??

« on: Jul 26, 2007, 02:19 am »

One of the shows in my upcoming show is Cosi, and I just got the score for review.  There are absolutely zero measure numbers.  Has anyone else had this problem?  I don't know if it is just the version that I have (Schirmer) or if it is true of all versions.  How have you dealt with this, particularly in tech/dress rehearsals?  I am wondering specifically about being able to tell the maestro/accompanist where to pick up after we have stopped, as they are working from the conductor score, which has different page numbers.

Ideas???

Thanks!!
SSM

19

Tools of the Trade / Painting on marley floor

« on: Jul 16, 2007, 03:27 pm »

I am trying to figure out if there is a way to paint spikes/groundplans on a marley floor, and then be able to remove it without damaging the floor. 
I realize that this is not the best idea in the world, but I have a multi-use space that is used both for theatre rehearsals and for pointe' classes, and the usual gaff type spike tape isn't safe for the dancers and doesn't really stay all that well with people dancing on it.  I am trying to find something that will be a happy medium, both safe for the dancers and longer lasting so I don't have to retape the entire set before every rehearsal.
Has anyone had to do something like this before?  What have you used and how well did it remove from the floor?  It would need to last for approx 4 weeks, and would be used for 4-5 shows per season.

Thanks!!!

20

SMNetwork Archives / Is part of being a Stage Manager being an artist?

« on: May 21, 2007, 10:39 pm »

So here is a question that has come up for me several times recently, and I am not really sure what the answer is.

Do you think that there is an artistic part of being a stage manager?  I have always felt like there is a part of the job that requires some artistic sense, particularly in calling a show.  Not in anything that affects design or acting, but something.  Someone explained it to me once as 45% manager, 45% technician, and 10% artist.

What do you think?

Thanks!

SSM

21

Stage Management: Other / Listing Choreographers vs Reconstructors on a resume??

« on: Nov 16, 2006, 06:17 pm »

Hi-

I did a search for this, but didn't find anything, so I thought someone might be able to help...

When listing dance performances on a resume, do you list the original choreographer (ie Martha Graham), or do you list the reconstuctor that worked on the piece?

The way I have it listed now is:

Show:                     Reconstructor/Choreographer:
Night Journey           Bob Boberson/Martha Graham

This seems to work, but if I have a concert that has several pieces, it takes up quite a bit of space.  Does anyone have any other ways that have worked?

Thanks!

SSM