Messages

46

The Green Room / Re: Actor fired after confronting heckler

« on: Jun 04, 2014, 12:42 pm »

This is a massive failure on the house staff. I don't know what rules are in place there, but I can't imagine any house I'm working in allowing an active heckler during a theater performance.

Stand up comedy? Ok sure. That goes with the territory, but at the same time a stand up has the freedom within their act to put a heckler down verbally. That will usually turn the audience against them.

However what I think is a large issue that needs to be addressed (again) is the concept that actors think they need to present a unified front. What's not covered in the initial article that I saw, but saw in others written, Lacy's actions and the actor who played Brick quitting resulted in the show being canceled. I personally would be livid if my paycheck went poof for no other reason than someone couldn't stay on stage and keep their cool. Good for the two actresses who spoke out against this and shame on John Lacy for lashing out at them.

He should know better. Stay on the stage. You have power there. Don't run into the crowd. Let the house staff take care of it. Stop the show. Call for house. Humiliate the drunk. Never leave the deck.

47

The Green Room / Re: Was I out of Line?

« on: Apr 22, 2014, 04:20 pm »

Out of line in my opinion. Is it true they miss their mark or timing or whatever? Yeah probably. We all screw things up which is the important thing to keep in mind.

Flip the script and think of it this way: You have a bad run and cues are all off. And then in front of everyone an actor calls you out on screwing up the cue. Probably not a great feeling and even if you're unaffected by the comment it's still unprofessional.

Tact is clutch. I am one of the most sarcastic and snarky people I know. There's a time and a place for it. You're only going to learn when it is appropriate by stepping over the line and being burned. or if you quash it from your work personality entirely.

48

The Green Room / Re: Apollo Theater in London Roof Collapse

« on: Apr 03, 2014, 09:07 am »

http://www.plsn.com/international-news/13039-failure-of-century-old-wadding-ties-implicated-in-apollo-theatre-ceiling-collapse.html

An investigation has determined that wooden ceiling frames held up by cloth and plaster ceiling ties since 1901 gave way in the Dec. 19, 2013 partial ceiling collapse at London's historic Apollo Theatre

Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy when you walk into an old theater doesn't it? Cloth and Plaster? seriously? Were they out of Spit and Vinegar?

49

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

« on: Mar 14, 2014, 03:39 pm »

Well there's your easy way out of finishing the production. Call the Fire Marshall and report unsafe conditions. Boom. Closed show!

Wet floors are no excuse to not retape. If you have blood clean up daily (by the way....your show sounds like a real pick me up!) mop at night, leave it overnight to dry and retape the cable in the evening at show call. If the director requires you to mop preshow, there are other tapes that work in wet environments that can keep the cable down like Vinyl/Dance floor tapes. The onstage issues and safety really falls under your role as stage manager and not a designer or producer. They may have made the mess, but it's up to you to make sure your cast in safe.

I don't mean to sound harsh but when it comes to safety after a certain point it's no longer a producer/designer issue and someone has to take control and do what needs to be done.

50

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

« on: Mar 13, 2014, 10:24 am »

What level are you working at?

It's not unheard of in my experience for this to happen. It's not a good thing by any stretch of the imagination, but not unheard of. Think of it this way: if the designers and producer have been working together for years but the stage manager seems to cycle every show they gain comfort speaking to a consistent person. Once again, it's not a good thing. It just is.

One of the best ways to diffuse it is to ask them to CC you to emails. Frame it that you aren't seeking the answers yourself and you're ok with them talking to the producer. You want to be CC'd to make sure the questions are being answered. In doing so, you get your answers and they're still talking directly to the person they're comfortable with, but now you're not trying to break them of habits as much as alter them.

51

The Green Room / Re: Great meme sign

« on: Mar 13, 2014, 10:12 am »

I think when I made this request, this may have been my facial expression.

52

Introductions / Re: There is no Dana, only ZUUL.

« on: Mar 13, 2014, 10:10 am »

AIM FOR THE FLAT TOP!

53

Introductions / Re: Well Hello there from snowy upstate New York.

« on: Feb 11, 2014, 09:33 pm »

Where abouts upstate?

54

Employment / Re: WHAT NOT TO PUT ON YOUR RESUME . . .

« on: Feb 10, 2014, 08:44 am »

Would you accept the completed original Angry Birds with all Golden Egg levels?

55

Employment / Re: WHAT NOT TO PUT ON YOUR RESUME . . .

« on: Feb 09, 2014, 08:55 am »

But....but it's my biggest achievement in the past year! I spent 18 hours a day every day to get there!

I had to account for my recent unemployment didn't i?

56

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: E-mail Management

« on: Feb 05, 2014, 02:51 pm »

Keep. Everything.

Organize it by show once it's over, but keep it all. It's sort of like taxes. You never know when you might be audited. In this case, you never know when an actor/producer decides to file a lawsuit and your emails may be subpoenaed. Its an extreme example of course, but if anything comes up in conflict and you get an email about it....you should keep it.

57

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: Artistic Director wants me to email actors link to a review

« on: Feb 05, 2014, 02:40 pm »

I vote Matthew's first option. I was working with a small professional theater company in NY for month long runs of shows twice a year and I would forward the reviews with a subject of "NYT Review" or "NY Post Review." Actors that want to read it do, those who don't won't.

I wouldn't editorialize on the review. So no "Good review from X and Bad review from Y." With my particular method I would ask if anyone would like to opt out of the email. Some people just don't like to be tempted.

58

Employment / Re: Is it a Tour?

« on: Jan 31, 2014, 03:36 pm »

I'd say don't list the venues individually. If you were to qualify that as a tour, put a header as Local Tours and list the production.

Think of it like this...If you were on a National Tour you wouldn't list all 50+ cities you go to. The locations aren't as important as your position and the production. By putting venues you'd just be fluffing your resume. Besides, if this position is year round, or at least a decent chunk of time, your calendar year is accounted for. Diversity is great and all, but being employed is better.

59

The Green Room / Re: Article: how to get good people to quit

« on: Jan 24, 2014, 02:25 pm »

 

60

The Green Room / Re: "The Sound of Music" Live on NBC

« on: Jan 20, 2014, 07:43 am »

Wonder if the Peter will propose to Wendy in this version....?