Messages

16

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Short Form ans Symbols

« on: Apr 10, 2012, 12:33 am »

QC for Quickchange is also one I use. But I have never used QX for Quick Cross.

Regarding using blocking notation because "I find that it feels better the way that I write"... that's exactly how I find what works for me too!

I also have recently (as of this most recent show) started to use "ntr" for Enter and "xit" for Exit.  Yes, in lower case.  I did this because I ended up having so many UPPER CASE notations and found it easier, faster and more efficient (the way that I write) to use these notations. So instead of "A XIT USR" I can write "A xit UR."

17

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Short Form ans Symbols

« on: Apr 08, 2012, 10:10 pm »

Some of the symbols I use also can't be visually illustrated here.

I use a "dot" to indicate "to"
I use "P with up or down arrow" for Pick Up or Put Down
I use a "circular arrow" for "around"
I draw a little "L with a line coming down from the bottom" as if a little figure is sitting down for "sitting"
I draw little steps for stairs.
I use the "/" to stand for "of" like A x SR/Bed (Amie crosses stage right of bed"

I am also learning Laban notation which has helped me some in notating movement or thinking in those terms.

I hope my descriptions make sense, but they work for me!  I discover which symbols work for me, as the ones that I naturally write as I am taking blocking.  These are the ones I don't have to think about anymore: they are just part of my (now daily) vocab.

18

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Decision: Emerson vs. Mason Gross

« on: Apr 01, 2012, 12:15 am »

Mason Gross student here! We are represented on the boards!

Currently, I can say about both the MFA and BFA stage management programs (as well as the MFA/BFA theater programs as a whole) are in the process of being revamped and improved upon by our department, as now we have a new artistic chair who has encouraged these changes.

PM me. I can get you more information...

19

The Green Room / Re: Practical Rant

« on: Mar 31, 2012, 02:10 pm »

Lesson learned and great forethought!

20

The Green Room / Re: Practical Rant

« on: Mar 31, 2012, 11:19 am »

Is this like the Murphy's Law of Theater? Go figure...

So aggravating.  And slightly terrifying to me... the show I am currently in rehearsals for has no less than 6 practicals on the stage that are critical to each "location." 


Yikes.

21

The Green Room / Re: Article: Six Degrees of Innovation What Broadway musicals tell us about creativi

« on: Mar 31, 2012, 11:12 am »

Wow! This really is fascinating.  I never thought of theater in this way - very mathematically or scientifically. 

Just a reminder of how truly important the arts are in sociological development, I'd say.

22

Employment / Re: Career Goals

« on: Mar 31, 2012, 11:01 am »

Great question.  I don't have a plan in terms of 3/5/10.  I just make goals and go for it.  My philosophy is that everyone's journey it different and I will land where I am supposed to land if I keep just plunging ahead.

In response:

Q: Does having goals have a positive effect on you?  If so, what are they?
Absolutely!  Goals keep me striving toward.  They are always changing too.  One of my goals was to go to graduate school and work professionally.  These are goals I am accomplishing! Each goal I strive toward (and eventually achieve) make me feel more well-rounded and satisfied with life. (That might sound cheesy, but it is true). That's just one example, of course.

Q: How does having career goals keep you focused on your personal advancement?
It always gives me something new to work for, improve upon, and gives me a foundation. The only way I can be the best I can be is to make goals and go for it!

In the past few years, goals have been the basis of how I operate.  And the more I achieve my goals (though some take time, hard work, or alter as time goes on and new experiences happen), the more willing I am to set new, higher goals.

The only word that holds us back personally is "never."  I am working hard to abolish this word from my personal-goal setting-vocabulary.

23

Employment / Re: Job Applying Words of Wisdom to College Graduates

« on: Mar 31, 2012, 10:49 am »

Great words of wisdom for college graduates and...well, everyone!

I would also add (as a reminder), that applying for stage management jobs takes TIME:

- Time to find the appropriate jobs
- Time to read each job posting carefully
- Time to carefully and appropriately write/revise/edit/proof your resume and cover letter to suit the needs of the job.
- Time to gather letters of recommendation (if needed).  (I find this always takes a little longer...)
- Time to maintain a current resume (not a lot of time, but it is something to think about)

And be mindful of deadlines.

I find pacing myself and keeping up to date on my resume, searching daily for job postings (as to not wait until the last minute and be on top of the application process) a much better way to operate.

Basically, though job postings are time sensitive, don't rush through the critical steps (as listed by EFMcMullen) and send out the resume/cover letter/etc without giving yourself the time to provide sharp, professional documents.  This is often your first impression on a prospective employer. Make it count!

I find something new to improve upon each time I apply for a job and consider the ability to apply for a job, and do so well, another skill to add to the Stage Management ToolBelt of Life.  It's an important skill to know how to do well, especially in our industry.

24

Self-Promotion / Re: Blue Man Group National Tour

« on: Mar 08, 2012, 09:57 pm »

Fantastic! Good for you!

25

Self-Promotion / Re: As You Like It

« on: Mar 08, 2012, 09:55 pm »

Awesome! Can't wait to see this!

26

College and Graduate Studies / Re: College Decisions

« on: Mar 04, 2011, 10:47 am »

Hi, there!

What schools are you looking to apply to? What program?

Best,
Amie

27

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: DCTC Internship. Thoughts?

« on: Mar 04, 2011, 10:46 am »

Scooter,

I probably will PM you soon. Thank you for your help!

Amie

28

Students and Novice Stage Managers / DCTC Internship. Thoughts?

« on: Mar 02, 2011, 06:47 pm »

Hi! I don't know if this is being posted in the right forum but I wondered, has anyone worked for Denver Center Theatre Company?  I hear wonderful things from actors who have worked there, but any SMs?  I secured my fall internship with DCTC (as a requirement in Rutgers SM Program our final academic year of study). I will be there from Aug-Jan.  In fact, I am going from working in Michigan from May-July to jumping right into going to Colorado and then back to school in New Jersey in January (which is, in and of itself, a new process for me: Changing locations consecutively!)

I chose to apply at this particular theater (among a select few others) because of the type of work the theater does, the size of the company, the opportunity (though I am experienced as a stage manager) to work in a regional LORT theater with professionals, and because it provided housing (though no stipend, which the places I looked into did not offer either. Playing the Housing vs. Stipend game for a part-season internship proved more challenging that I had thought).

So, any advice for me about the program? About Colorado?  This will be my first credit outside of Michigan and New Jersey, which is exciting for me as well.

29

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: HOUSE MANAGEMENT: Do you spill the beans about your famous audience members?

« on: Aug 21, 2010, 10:00 pm »

I prefer not to know and to not tell the cast unless they want to know.  In the academic setting I'm in now. it's a big deal if the acting/directing faculty are in the audience, just as it is for me if the stage management faculty is there.  I psychs out the company members (sometimes, but in the academic setting, it certainly does!)

So, if I learn of a particular person in the audience, pre show, I keep it to myself unless asked.  Every performance and audience should get the same show and consideration, of course. But also,  each person has his or her own way to process potentially important people viewing their work...etc.

Those are my two cents...

On a related note: I get a little nervous when the director or other SMs are in the audience. 

30

The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork's Resident expert in...

« on: Aug 21, 2010, 09:50 pm »

ooh - can I be your official assistant/taster?

^ ^ ^ HA! Yes, you can!