Messages

226

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: When to give an actor a note...

« on: Aug 08, 2008, 10:32 am »

Smoke on the Mountain, Homecoming is long enough without too many ad-libs!!!  Have you tried explaining that the timing of the show needs to be within reason each performance?  Did you and the director establish your authority during rehearsals and that the director backs your authority for the run?  How about having the artistic director watch the show if it's getting out of hand? This person is very influential in whether an actor is invited back to perform in future productions.
Good luck!!

227

Stage Management: Other / Re: Opera tips

« on: Aug 05, 2008, 10:27 am »

Not only do I get a recording of the opera, but after we paper-tech and a few days before tech rehearsals begin, I'll use the recording to practice my cue calls outside of rehearsals.  Since opera is dictated by the music, I feel: unlike a play where an actor can change the timing of dialogue, opera--to me--remains very consistant in timing.  In practicing my calls to the recording, this helps me be very prepared so that I'm not wasting valuable time (try working with union musicians and union stage hands at the same time!).  The marked entrances of all principals, chorus and supers is paramount!!--others mentioned this and I can't emphasise it enough (the cast has to be on time for entrances--which means you make sure they're "waiting in the wings" or where ever else they enter from) or it's an "opera meltdown".  I agree with others: there is nothing quite like SMing opera.

228

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Do you call from house or backstage?

« on: Aug 05, 2008, 08:59 am »

For me it depends on the show and on how good my ASM is.  I'll opt to call a large cast, complicated and multi-cue show from the deck.(This includes opera as one SM pointed out--making sure the singers are ready to go on 'cause in opera--it's a meltdown if they miss an entrance.) For a less complicated show with a few actors, I prefer the booth.  Some times (as in community theatre) the SM also runs lights, audio or both which are usually in the booth. In that case, your choice is made for you! On one show--done in arena staging--the set designer built me an "outhouse" which was located off to one side of the stage as that was the only place I could see the show from and be hidden from the audience!  I have learned in community and professional theatre to be flexible on calling positions.