Messages

16

Employment / Re: How to give a recommendation?

« on: Feb 23, 2015, 03:57 pm »

As a potential employer, my question was "would you hire X again?"  That told me most of what I needed to know.  I guess you could re-phrase it , "We're (I'm) not hiring X back for the next show (rest of the season)". No more details if asked why.  Do you have an HR department that you could run that phrasing by? 
It's very tricky what you can say and not say.

17

The Hardline / Re: Stage Manager's relationship with IATSE or union stagehands/crew?

« on: Dec 25, 2014, 09:24 am »

In addition to what BayAreaSM has said, you should have a Steward assigned to the show.  This is your on-site "go to" person for calls/changes/etc.  This person is the on-site  Business Agents' liaison.

18

The Hardline / Re: Play nice with other unions, or don't get involved?

« on: Sep 09, 2014, 10:16 am »

You have to keep your crew informed of schedules.
 Your producer wouldn't appreciate unnecessary overtime because you aren't communicating with the IATSE Steward.  In my experience, the Steward is the go to person.

19

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Learning how to read music

« on: Jul 28, 2014, 09:01 am »

system/measure/note.  Measures are also numbered per song (in musicals).  In this way, when we're stopped in rehearsal, I can call out, "Let's pick it up with measure 28.  (Conductor/Music Director can find this in the score.) "Cast, that's the beginning of the chorus section (and I'll call out what the first few lyrics are)".

20

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Call Times

« on: Jul 28, 2014, 08:43 am »

In addition to printed/emailed schedules, I'll announce at that night's rehearsal or tech what time the next day's call is.  I get the cast (and later crew) in the habit of not leaving until they've checked in/out with the stage manager and thereby get the latest call information.  Those that aren't present get email/text reminders.

21

The Green Room / Re: SM Over The Head

« on: Jul 12, 2014, 04:51 pm »

I would have the Production Manager handle the calling of the show (presuming the PM has expertise in this area) and the original PSM handle deck.  At some point, an ASM learns the deck and the PSM sits with the PM and learns the calling of the show--watches and trains in bit by bit.

22

Employment / Re: Dear Abby: Problems with an Overloaded, Slacker PM

« on: Jun 17, 2014, 11:16 am »

Regardless of previous concerns voiced by a prior SM, I would take my concerns up the hierarchy chain until someone takes action, allowing a reasonable amount of time for the situation to be dealt with. Sounds like the design team and Director are on board: Are they willing to also voice concerns up the ladder? 

23

Employment / Re: Summer Stock

« on: May 18, 2014, 10:13 am »

I worked with a summer musical theatre company (non-stock) that consistently hired stage managers in their 30's and 40's.  There's no harm in applying.

24

Self-Promotion / Re: The Reluctant Dragon at Children's Theatre of Charlotte

« on: Apr 16, 2014, 07:18 pm »

Dallas 10086,

Did CTC build him in-house?

25

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REHEARSAL: Tension in Rehearsals

« on: Apr 12, 2014, 04:51 pm »

I've worked with a few directors who, when actors lose focus and/or tensions build in an unproductive way will stop rehearsal and call the cast to a group warm up/relaxation/vocal warm up (any or all of those warm ups).  This helps everyone focus and let external things go.  Once regrouped in a positive way, rehearsal resumes.

26

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Learning how to read music

« on: Mar 25, 2014, 09:04 am »

After years of calling musicals and operas with no musical training, I began taking piano lessons early last year.  It's just once a week and I find learning from someone who teaches music very beneficial. A teacher will give you insight that you can't get trying to learn on your own. The correlation between the notes on the page and the linear layout of the piano keys makes note recognition easier for me. Is there a community college in your area that has a beginning piano course or music classes?  Do you have a friend who reads music that you can meet with on a regular basis and learn from?

27

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: SM Authority: Designers & Production Team refusing to acknowledge reports.

« on: Mar 13, 2014, 01:00 pm »

Are the Designers responsible for "fix its" during the run? I ask because it sounds like this is the case from your post (a speaker falling and you're sending performance run reports).

28

Employment / Re: Still no word about payment

« on: Jan 06, 2014, 10:19 am »

 (I've never done this before, but do people ever ask for some or all of their stipend to be paid before work begins? Is there a way to classily do this?)

Yes.  I often get a percentage of my payment upfront on independent contract work especially with companies that I have not worked with before (not in a rental situation through another party).  The classy way is to state that you get paid a percentage up front and get a written signed contract with the stipulations that loebtmc has advised.

I find it interesting that the company can't tell you what the fee is with 5 days to go.

29

Employment / Re: Gradschool auditions at SETC

« on: Dec 27, 2013, 01:11 pm »

Doesn't  SETC list what schools will be at the auditions?  From that list, you can go directly to the grad school's website and look at which ones specifically offer graduate degrees in stage management. 

Hope this is helpful

30

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice

« on: Dec 02, 2013, 08:27 am »

SMeustace: I did something similar to what Maribeth suggested. Years ago, I SMed  Ain't Misbehavin' (mostly sung with some dialogue).  I called off the upper case printed lyrics in the libretto with cut and paste music as needed for intro's, music bridges, etc. where I had to call cues off of music instead of a lyric.  The libretto included all spoken dialogue and if it hadn't, I would have cut and pasted it in.

I'm doing Ragtime in February and will probably call off the score.  PM me if you'd like.