34
« on: Feb 06, 2014, 01:14 pm »
Live theater is a tightrope act. Like airport traffic controllers, 90% percent of our job is routine, but what we really get paid for is the *other* 10% of the time. So it's great that things are going along swimmingly, and I relish those shows when they come along, but my mantra during them is "Be ready for the hairpin turn to hell." When things get bad, I feel that it's my response within those situations that really makes my reputation. When I get it right, those are the moments I'm most proud of in my career. When I get it wrong, learning why is what lifts me to the next level of my profession, and accepting responsibility for my failings deepens my trustworthiness with the company.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, when things are going smoothly and you're getting compliments for that, bank those compliments up for the confidence you're going to need when you're neck deep and sinking. If people are complimenting you, that means you're creating space for experimentation and no single failure will be a catastrophe.
Try to keep looking ahead for the next hurdle, and do what you can ahead of time to lower that hurdle. As stage manager, you want the entire process, from first meetings to closing night, to be a satisfactory and rewarding experience for all your colleagues, and you are uniquely situated to make that possible.
Finally, accept that the tools that you bring to the table, even though they're easy for you (for whatever reason) are rare, in-demand qualities in the general population. Don't confuse effort with productivity; accept the compliments as a benchmark of productivity without feeling guilty that you haven't (yet) "worked" hard enough.
Sorry about the rambling, hope this helps.