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Messages - NomieRae

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226
Employment / Blacklist of companies for SMs?
« on: Jan 30, 2009, 10:26 pm »
Hi All--

I was talking to a friend of mine and we were wondering if there exists out there an e-blacklist of companies/producers/etc that have continually screwed a freelancing SM/ASM...

I know I've worked for dozens of companies, out of which maybe two I would post a word of warning to future SMs, but wouldn't it be an interesting tool to know (to an extent) what you're getting into before hand?

Is there something in place for AEA members? I would think it'd be easier in a union setting to call companies out on their behavior..

Any ideas/sites/etc welcome!

227
Employment / Sending resume/cover letter to Broadway shows?
« on: Jan 26, 2009, 07:54 pm »
Hello All--

I've gotten very comfortable in my world of freelance stage managing for non-union gigs. I'm confident in my skills in these small, controlled venues where being right out of college with a small-ish resume is alright because most companies aren't looking to hire AEA SM's.

That being said--I miss a challenge! So as part of my New Year's resolution I decided I would do everything in my power to get myself on a bigger production to expand my skill set and be reminded that I have a lot left to learn...

I picked up the recent Theatrical Index, and have been toying with the idea of sending my resume/cover letter to the management departments in hopes of a PA position since I'm not Equity... Has anyone here done this to any success? I've heard it since high school that some people get jobs this way, but wanted to test the waters to see if it was tacky to some degree to fish for a job that may or may not exsist...

I've learned so much that getting jobs in NYC can be greatly dependent on who you know...and I've met and worked with a lot of great B'way and Off-B'way designers--but I have yet to work under directors or other SM's with the connections to get me where I'm looking..

Advice? Should I send resume's & cover letter and hope for the best, or is there a better way to go about it?

228
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Staged Reading?
« on: Jan 09, 2009, 05:32 pm »
Hello All---

I'm a moderately experienced SM who's worked on mostly musicals, and just did a children's theatre tour around the country.. and I just got a gig for a staged reading next week.

While I understand that a staged reading is not nearly as complicated as a full mounted production...is there any significant differences that I should know about? There are only two rehearsals then the reading.. will I be in charge of reading the stage direction? I always have the worst luck knowing which parts to read and which to skip over...

Any advice is appreciated!!

229
Hello All--

I am currently working on my Undergraduate Thesis for my Bachelor of Fine Arts, my topic being examining gender roles and stereotypes present in the career of Stage Management. In my pursuit of research I've come to realize as a career we're a very quiet sort, there only being a handful of books and even fewer interviews/autobiographies.

So I'm hoping to get as much feedback as possible from any Stage Manger here, some of my interview questions are below if you would answer one or two, I would be incredibly appreciative. Eventually I'm hoping to compile my accounts and interviews across my research into a small book of Stage Management anecdotes... so please if you do reply leave your name (last initial is fine if you wish), any affiliations (including AEA), and how long you've been stage managing.

Questions:
  • Have you encountered sexist or gendered behavior in the workplace?
  • What characteristics are most important to a successful SM? Are these primarily female or male characteristics? Why or why not?
  • What are the most common failings of SMs?
  • What are your thoughts on the idea of a SM as a Mother figure? Any pertinent stories?
  • Do you feel that there are less SM opportunities for one gender? Is there any instance where one gender makes a better SM? Why or why not?
  • If you are a female SM, do you feel you have to work harder for the same respect/pay/jobs as your male counterparts? Why or why not?
  • Do people of a specific sexuality or gender identity make better SMs? Why or why not?

Thanks for your input, I'm looking for honest answers, even if they may not be politically correct.

230
College and Graduate Studies / Re: college feedback
« on: Dec 09, 2007, 11:28 pm »
I can speak for Adelphi! :)

I'm part of the class of '08 in the design tech department and even with all the ups and downs I've faced here, I'm glad I didn't go anywhere else. In my four years here the entire department has changed (some for the better, some changes I won't see) the BIGGEST draw is that our new performing arts center will open in fall of 2008, and it's going to be gorgeous. There will be at least a half dozen new positions in the department and for the first time ever, the performing arts of tech acting and dance will all be together in the same building.

The staff and faculty here are amazing professionals who I feel blessed to have worked with the last few years of my life and know will continue to be contacts in the future. It's a program that's grown SO much since I've began here (when I started there was about 15 people in the department, we're now at nearly 30 with the largest graduating class of 9 this year :) )

The campus is gorgeous, and you're only a 45min ride from Manhattan.

As far as Stage Management goes it does leave some things to be desired, currently in the curriculum there is only one SM class that is required for all acting and tech majors, but they bring in an AEA stage manager to teach it and mentor you if you desire. I've had a lot of experience doing campus shows and through the faculty have gotten all my professional work to date.

Outside of the theater department there is plenty to keep your mind sharp, I'm part of the Honors college and it has been great and challenging.

If you have any other questions, let me know or email me at nomierae AT gmail DOT com


231
College and Graduate Studies / Re: Did/Do you attend Rutgers?
« on: Oct 10, 2007, 09:49 am »
Does Purchase offer an MFA? I'm specifically looking for that sort of course load, something as much based in liberal arts academics as production.

232
College and Graduate Studies / Did/Do you attend Rutgers?
« on: Oct 09, 2007, 07:21 pm »
Hello All--

I'm planning on applying for Rutger's MFA program in Stage Management for next fall and was just wondering if anyone has or is currently attending the program and could offer some advice, or insider info about the program/campus/college as a whole. Everything seems great online and on paper, but just wondering what students actually thought.

My reasons for choosing to apply there is that I've heard great things in the past, and their proximity to NYC is fantastic. I'll also be applying to NYU, but would almost prefer to be outside of manhattan. Any information is much appreciated!


233
The Hardline / Re: Being offered my card, good idea?
« on: Aug 10, 2007, 09:52 pm »
There is a clause with AEA about productions for completion of a degree, yes? So if I went to grad school with my card (I have only one year left of undergrad, just general eds) would I be able to SM productions there?

May be a silly question-but I can still do other theatrical work (lighting, wardrobe, makeup) on the side since they aren't part of AEA, correct?

234
The Hardline / Being offered my card, good idea?
« on: Aug 10, 2007, 08:14 pm »
Hello All--

I just posted yesterday that I may be offered a job on a LOA-NYC contract, and I believe that they may offer it to me, and it would mean that I would get my card, just wanted to run details by you all to see if you thought it was worth it, and if I know what I'm getting into.

So if I submit my application for this job, I owe AEA $1100 within 2 years of filing, and $400 of that within 6 months of filing. On top of that they'll take $118/yr and 2.25% per paycheck. Correct?

I'm possibly getting paid as much as $300/wk for a contract of 11 weeks, and financially I can swing it, although it would be nicer if they paid for transportation but alas I'm not far enough away (20miles).

Does it seem worth it? Oh and the other wrench in the works is that I'm still in school (undergrad) and while I can work my classes around the schedule, but would I be ineligible to work on shows at school, or only as a stage manager?

So eager to want this versus a mallrat job, but wanted to pick the brains of everyone and see if I'm not seeing some big hole...

Thanks!

235
The Hardline / LOA and LORT?
« on: Aug 09, 2007, 10:19 pm »
Hello All--

I apologize in advance if any of this is common knowledge, I'm just plain unsure of the language and it's a little late tonight to call Equity ;)

So I have applied for an ASM position at INTAR here in the city and have very minimal info on it as of yet, only that rehearsals begin August 14th, Closing is Sunday October 20th, and that they are working under an LOA contract.

From what I've gleamed from other posts here, an LOA contract is usually branched off a LORT, correct? I was unable to dig up any info on INTAR and their contracts, so I'm unsure as to what the pay scale may be. Odds are that it's better than I have been doing (200/wk, yay showcases!) but was just wondering about a ballpark figure, or if anyone had experience working with their LOA specifically.

Any help is appreciated, and odds are I'll have my questions answered tomorrow when I hear back from the PSM, but I'm antsy ;)

Thanks!
--Naomi

236
Employment / Is NY Fringe Work worth it?
« on: Jul 13, 2007, 12:21 am »
Hey All--

Starting to see lots of Fringe SM hiring, as it is the season here in NY. I'll just be coming off my first two AEA Showcases in August, and am wondering what the usual pay for a Fringe show is. I live on long island and weekly transportation runs about $50 so anything under $200 a week is a no-go. I know I need to pay my dues to get the experience, but I gotta pay rent too!

Any thoughts?

237
SMNetwork Archives / Re: Happy Stage Management Memories?
« on: Nov 25, 2006, 01:08 am »
The last show I worked held the worst and best memories that I've ever had in theatre thus far...

Two Lovely moment's I'd like to share:

** After nearly three months working on the show, five days of tech, faulty projections, and 21 live lav mics, a touring show, doing a musical at a non-musical school, retired union band who would wander, actors passing out backstage from the heat, hundreds of light, sound, projection, actor and spotlight cues, hundreds of hours of work and frustrations.. it was opening night, house of 400 (which is gigantic for our department) and I sat in our makeshift booth (a platform over the last 3 rows) with my book and a cliplight and what was last of my sanity... I called the cleanest show I can ever remember. EVER. The audience ate everything up, and when during curtain call they received their first standing ovation, first from me and then their audience. I cried many happy tears during that curtain call.

** As we all know, Stage managers don't do it for the glory. All that I need to keep going is the knowing that I am doing the best that I can with what I have to work with.. but one evening after a performance we were being adjudicated by our regional ACTF respondents and as we all, cast crew and designers, sat in theatre, the respondent talked to me about my process in the show and afterwards he applauded me, which was picked up by everyone else in the house and for maybe the only time I will ever see, the stage manager got a standing ovation.

Those things, ladies and gents, make it all worthwhile.

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