Messages

16

Self-Promotion / Re: Good People

« on: May 30, 2013, 01:49 am »

I haven't, but the main admin for the company is in my graduate program! She's awesome I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun!

17

Self-Promotion / Re: Good People

« on: May 29, 2013, 11:55 pm »

Ahh! Have you met Devra yet?

18

Employment / Re: ARTICLE: How to Network like a Pro

« on: May 22, 2013, 01:19 pm »

I think KMC and the article have it exactly right. You can't network only to get work or a mentor. The way I think about it is that I want everyone I met, however briefly, to have a good impression of me. I could lead to nothing, or they could read my name again on a resume later, they could recognize me later (a not insignificant chunk of my work has come from running into someone I know right when they were looking for a stage manager). So, I don't really suck up, I only talk about my experience if it comes up naturally. I do let them know who I am, what I do; then I'm just nice. I try to be polite, have an appropriate sense of humor, and relaxed. I can't point to any specific instance and say "this is a time a got a job by being nice," but I do often walk into interviews with people who say they've heard nice things about me. Not gonna get me the gig right out, but it certainly helps to know you're starting with a positive impression.

19

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Can you earn a living? (2013 Research Data)

« on: May 16, 2013, 10:28 pm »

I want to look up this data for DC. I feel like a lot of the SMs I know here are fairly steadily employed, and I haven't had to pick up a day job yet. But: it's also a very insular market, so maybe there are struggling stage managers I don't connect with.

20

The Green Room / Re: On Reviews

« on: Apr 29, 2013, 08:43 pm »

I blog links to press on my website. Obviously not posting them without reading them. Definitely do not bring them up unless asked directly.

21

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Shadowing: General Q&A

« on: Apr 24, 2013, 06:52 pm »

Not to go too terribly off topic, but I doubt that a dance competition will let you shadow for the reasons outlined above, but a lot of them hire PAs with basic experience to do child-wrangling and to be runners. I just did the Youth America Grand Prix at Lincoln Center-- not a ton of money, but a cool experience. This particular gig seems to be a friend of a friend job, but I have seen a lot of postings on backstage jobs about it. Look closely at some of the kid-related and PAing jobs.

22

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Helping with SM Homework

« on: Apr 13, 2013, 06:04 pm »

I just wanted to add that I'm working on my MA in Arts Administration and I always give the option to talk on the phone or via email and so far no one in worlds of upper theatre management, government agencies, and consulting has wanted to answer my questions via email. They almost never even want to see the questions I'm asking. It's not going to print, so they don't want to write me a press release. I think if this is a trend for the higher ups in the biz, maybe it's fair for it to start trickling down to us. Plus, I'm going to get a lot more out of a conversation than I will typing answers and so, probably, will the student.

23

The Hardline / Non-AEA Health Insurance Options (maybe AGMA compatible)?

« on: Apr 08, 2013, 01:10 am »

So I am reaching a point where I am consistently making weeks for 6 months of insurance, but not 12. I alternate time between corporate work, eq work, and AGMA work right now, so I don't see that changing right away. I'm looking for an option, mostly with prescription coverage, that might have some experience with my AGMA Plan B coffer. Anyone have any insight, or suggestions for where to look? Thanks!

24

The Hardline / Re: LA 99 Seat 10 out of 12 break rules

« on: Mar 28, 2013, 10:36 pm »

Agreed with Nick, but I can only speak for other contracts. I didn't see anything specific in the 99 seat. You should call AEA yourself.

25

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROP FOOD: Ketchup that isn't ketchup

« on: Mar 24, 2013, 11:03 pm »

I forgot about red bean paste, but you can sweeten it with honey and that might make it an even better fit in terms of taste.

I SMed Home. Everyone that works for Rep Stage and for the Center is awesome. Maybe we'll finally actually cross paths after a performance of this one!

26

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROP FOOD: Ketchup that isn't ketchup

« on: Mar 24, 2013, 05:10 pm »

What about something like this:

http://www.getpeachy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/betty_crocker_cookie_icing.jpg

It's a little thicker, east to transfer to a squeeze bottle, and a little more manipulable that regular frosting.

(Is this at Rep Stage?)

27

Tools of the Trade / Re: Email Best Practices for Teams

« on: Mar 23, 2013, 03:35 pm »

I second BCCing.

All reports and daily calls are addressed to me, and BCC'ed the rest of the people being sent to - this also helps if you working with people who don't want their emails given out to the general public.

And it does keep the response back to the report to be sent out to the entire world.

Plus this is a great way to verify the report is sent through properly

28

Employment / Re: Being a Reference

« on: Mar 18, 2013, 01:43 pm »

This is all really helpful. Thanks! The short story: someone recently asked me for a reference that I had only worked with one one 3 month contract and I honesty wasn't impressed. But I think in a couple years, with a little more experience, they could be great. So, I don't want to totally shoot them down now, but I also don't want to vouch for them just yet. I like Matthew's 6 months or multiple show rule. I think I'm going to put that into practice.

29

Employment / Being a Reference

« on: Mar 14, 2013, 01:01 pm »

So I am interested in advice about being a reference. In particular, what do you guys do when someone asks you to refer them and you're not sure you want to?

30

The Green Room / Re: Daylight Savings Time

« on: Mar 09, 2013, 05:04 pm »

THANK YOU!