Messages

541

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Injured during tech?

« on: Mar 05, 2007, 03:36 pm »

Really embarrassing story...

We had put plywood covers on top of our VOMS to use as entrances to the stage and sort of extensions of the stage (in-the-round). And during strike I thought I would start there and work my way in. I assumed (silly me) that there was a support underneath since the actors were traipsing up and down this thing for a month. I'm kneeling on the plywood and I take a screwgun to the floor. Take out three screws, no problem. Begin taking out the fourth and I hear this high-pitched screech followed by the floor tilting slightly. In that split second I realized what was happening but it was still too late. I leaned forward just enough that when the floor beneath me dropped, the floor panel in front of me hit me on my chest and I fell maybe four feet to the VOM floor. The SM was in the booth at the time and said, "One second I saw you working and the next second I saw your head disappear beneath the floor."

To add embarrassment to injury--

I had to fill out an accident report and write specifically which body part I hurt.

There's no tactful way to say 'bruised left boob.'

542

The Green Room / Re: Things You'll Never Hear a Stage Manager Say

« on: Mar 05, 2007, 07:30 am »

My current production:

"We're casting two directors as the lead actors for the next production? There is no way that will come back to bite us in the butt."

Or...

"No no, I LOVE managing THREE directors."

OR....

"No that's fine. You three debate what color the woman's dress should be. I'll just sit here and write down everything everyone says instead of, say, catching up on my sleep."

Getting the picture everyone???

543

Employment / PSM work

« on: Feb 23, 2007, 12:28 pm »

I've been offered the position of resident PSM for the company I'm doing Mr. Marmalade for. I wanted to rush in and say yes but I asked to have a sit-down with them and go over the details of their expectations: do they want me to SM every show, including summer programs, or will I have a chance to do outside work once in a while? But I'm not sure what other questions I should ask...

I'd like to hear from other PSM's what other questions you feel I should approach them with. I want to make sure I can meet all their expectations and there are no surprises down the road. What is your experience as a PSM?

544

Employment / Re: College Name

« on: Feb 23, 2007, 10:12 am »

And I agree with you ljh007. I should have continued on...that post of mine did make me sound like a name-dropping snob, didn't it? 
I absolutely agree that experience should come first and foremost when being interviewed. The productions you've done, the amount of times a company asks you back and the number of shows you've done are all incredibly important.
On the other hand, the SM I replaced had worked several productions for my current company and I was told she never sent rehearsal reports. So references have to play a huge part in checking up on just how competent the SM is and you hope interviewers do just that.
But you have to admit...some interviewers are going to quickly assess your basic knowledge by the program you graduated from, usually because they're familiar with the program and have worked with prior graduates and have had excellent experiences with them. That can be good, that can be bad: I've worked with some brilliant people who never went to college; and I've worked with some real idiots who graduated from top programs...who I'm sure daddy paid off professors because that's the ONLY way they graduated!

545

Employment / How many pages?

« on: Feb 22, 2007, 05:25 pm »

Just a general question for some ideas...

I've gotten to the point where I have two pages to my resume (guess that could also be a good thing). Was wondering how many people out there send their resumes, either by email fax or snail mail, with either one or two pages?

Signed, Curious in Charlotte 

546

Employment / Re: College Name

« on: Feb 22, 2007, 05:18 pm »

That depends on where you're interviewing. I've named dropped my school here in Charlotte and everyone looks at me funny. But if I name drop in, say, Boston or NYC, they know exactly who my teachers were, what kind of shows they do and what kind of talent they churn out.

547

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Apprenticeships

« on: Feb 21, 2007, 03:58 pm »

It all depends: do you want housing included, assisted housing, a minimum pay per week...and what area of the country? There's a lot of factors to consider.

Right after high school I decided on North Shore Music Theatre near Boston. It was a gutsy move since I was in Phoenix at the time...I'm glad I was too naive to realize how crazy I was being. It paid $200 a week (I think, it's been a long time) but they assisted in setting me up with housing that was $75/week for a room and common area. They also rely heavily on interns--other than the staff everyone else was an intern. But you work with great directors, make excellent contacts and their shows are superb! And experience working in the round is almost a rarity.

548

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Oliver! Tips and set suggestions. Please.

« on: Feb 17, 2007, 05:06 pm »

I did Oliver! in the round at NSMT, so while there was a set there were no huge set changes aside from one lift change. Light changes and a few key pieces assisted with the changes in location.

One thing you will absolutely positively need is a kiddie wrangler. I can't emphasis this enough! I don't think it should be a parent--they tend to favor their own and I don't necessarily like having the parents with the kids backstage during performances. They tend to be distracting and, well, stage moms. It should be a PA who gets along with kids well and doesn't mind taking them from backstage to their next cue. It also helps to get someone who can tutor them and/or keep them occupied while staying in one place, like the greenroom, without wandering off. I've personally done it twice as a PA and they were good experiences, believe it or not.