Messages

61

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Packing for a Summerstock

« on: Apr 25, 2012, 07:12 pm »

Yeah, but the issue can be with getting the money into your account if there isn't a local branch nearby.

62

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Packing for a Summerstock

« on: Apr 25, 2012, 01:44 am »

I agree with everything above.  Couple of things I would add: a few hangers, if you have prescriptions make sure you have enough for the time you are there.  Something my sister and I have both done if we are driving to the summer stock, is to take a few meals/snacks packed in a small cooler and some basic cooking ingredients (salt, pepper, small amounts of flour and sugar in tupperware).  The meals/snacks are nice to have on hand while you get the lay of the land and if you like to cook it's nice to not have to rush out and spend a lot of money on the basics.  The cooler is useful anytime.  We also frequently have a small tote with non-perishables (cereal, cans of soup, etc).  I know it may seem like a bit much but not having to worry about grocery shopping for the first week is really nice.  Also, prices for things can really go up in different parts of the country and in small towns.  Last summer my sister went somewhere that had a shared kitchen but her room was a distance from it and there where about 60-70 people using the same kitchen.  She bought a small mini fridge for her room so she could have things like milk and fruit on hand.  Some places might not allow that though or you might not want to haul one around.

Something else to consider is your banking situation, particularly if you have bills and such that you have to pay.  Check to see if your bank has a branch near where you will be staying.  If there isn't one see if the company can do direct deposit.  The other options are to cash your paycheck at the theatre's bank and live off cash/money orders for the summer or to open an account at another bank.  There may be other options as well.  Don't forget about anything you pay with automatic bill pay! 

Have fun this summer!

63

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Invisible spikes

« on: Apr 25, 2012, 01:11 am »

Could you use glow paint instead of glow tape?  Less expensive and you could make a fairly thin line.  Also has the advantage of not coming up as easily as tape.

64

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Being friends with the SM

« on: Apr 25, 2012, 12:13 am »

It's a very fine line.  It's difficult for me to not be social with the folks that I'm working with.  After all, we spend a lot of time together in relatively small spaces.  You also tend to develop relationships with actors that you frequently work with.  Being social and friendly also means that an actor may feel more comfortable coming to you with a problem that is of a personal nature.  However, they also have to know that you are a professional and that they need to take you seriously (and you will take them seriously).  For anything show related you are the stage manager first and their friend second.  I feel that this is one of the first and most important lessons that many SMs coming out of college and high school need to learn.

I once was the 1st ASM for a show with a very large cast and the 2nd ASM hadn't learned that lesson yet.  If an actor wasn't doing something they needed to be doing (or vice versa) she wouldn't want to talk to them because she was afraid they would think she was a "witch".  So the task would fall to me.  After awhile I became very tired of always being the bad guy while she was "friends" with everyone.

On a different note, an actor who I've been friends with since college once told me he could always tell when I shifted into "stage manager mode" because my facial/body language became more focused and serious. 

But as I said, it's a fine line and how you straddle it can be different for every person.

65

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Facebook Comments (How to deal with a very unpleasant pit orchestra?)

« on: Apr 24, 2012, 11:50 pm »

I would like to add that it's not just Facebook that people need to be careful about.  I once had a PSM who was writing a blog for some of her students about the show we were working.  In the blog she often misrepresented what people had said or done and was frequently negative about people's experience levels.  Unfortunately it was open to the public and a number of people in the company read what she was saying about them.  I even had someone approach me to ask if I had seen what she'd written about me.  Although she did not name names it would have been fairly easy for anyone to get them by looking up the company information.  Eventually there was a confrontation between her and the TD and she changed the blog to a private one.

It is terrifyingly easy to access anything that is on the internet.  Even a poorly thought out email can come back to bite you!  It's best to exercise caution and to tell others to do the same.

66

The Hardline / Re: Theatres That Have Closed--Can You Say "Emergency?"

« on: Apr 24, 2012, 11:14 pm »

To clarify, my previous post wasn't intended to be a dig at for-profit theatres.  I was merely pointing out one of the main differences between the old NSMT (not-for-profit and run by a board of directors) and the new (for-profit and run by a single owner).  An open theatre that is hiring is always a good thing and the re-opening of this one has been heartening for the community.  I can only hope that this can become a trend.

67

Tools of the Trade / Re: How to best use Dropbox?

« on: Apr 23, 2012, 10:35 pm »

I have recently come to love Dropbox.  I had used it before at one theatre where they posted sound links, some of the set renderings, and some misc. other info.  It hadn't impressed me much at the time because the Production Manager didn't keep track of who had been invited and who hadn't and assumed that everyone had access to the info.  It seemed to be more trouble than it was worth.

However, a couple months ago I started a show with another company where the PSM uses Dropbox quite a bit.  We have a stage management one for each show that only the PSM, myself (ASM), and the PA have access to.  It has been very convenient to have all of the current info on hand and has really cut down on the amount of emailing back and forth and printing I've had to do.  The PSM can also hand off a task to myself or the PA without having to hand over her computer as well.  For instance, she frequently will do a preliminary schedule but then ask me to look it over and format it.  We often have had split rehearsals as well so it's useful to have when you're in another room.  I think it does work best if everyone involved sets up some guidelines for using it (ie. who can alter a document and when).  It would be more difficult to use with a larger number of people but, again, some guidelines in place can probably help with that.  If I'm creating a new document (usually the run sheet) I will work on it on my computer first and then save it to the Dropbox.  After that I keep the Dropbox version updated and usually delete the one on my laptop. 

We also use GoogleDocs a lot with the paperwork that is updated frequently throughout the day, such as the Entrance/Exit Sheet.  It also has an IM feature that we use a lot so that we can discuss things without disrupting rehearsal and it's really useful for communicating while in different rooms.  Between the two I always feel up to date.

68

The Hardline / Re: Theatres That Have Closed--Can You Say "Emergency?"

« on: Apr 23, 2012, 06:10 pm »

Thought it was worth mentioning that North Shore Music Theatre re-opened in 2010.  It was purchased from the bank by Bill Hanney and is now running as a for-profit theatre.  It's not quite the same that it was but at least it's open again.

69

Employment / Re: What to wear/bring to a SM interview or other tips

« on: Feb 12, 2012, 02:26 pm »

I have occasionally been asked if I had a sample of my paperwork with me so I usually bring a run sheet and/or prop list from a previous show.  I believe this is so they can see my organizational style and once I felt like it was a test to see how prepared I was.  Sensible shoes are a definite.  I've been given a tour a number of times.  I also ALWAYS arrive a few minutes early. I often spend those few minutes looking around the office or space (nothing invasive but many theatres have posters and photos up that can give you further insight into the company adn can be a conversation starter).  It's also an opportunity to introduce yourself to the receptionist, if there is one, and others who pass through.  I don't force my presence on anyone but I like to show that I am friendly, confident,  and can interact easily with members of the company.  Something that may seem funny is that I plan a bathroom break into the time before my arrival.  It's a moment to double check my appearance and to make sure I'm not squirming in my seat at the wrong moment.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PEOPLE: How to keep kids *quietly* busy at rehearsal?

« on: Feb 10, 2012, 07:02 pm »

I have frequently worked as a child wrangler and have found a few things that work.  It does work really well to have someone, whether a parent or ASM, assigned to be with the kids.  I've always liked having a separate space where the kids can hang out and be loud.  For one show I even took the kids outside to run some energy off.  The thing to remember is that most kids are probably coming from being cooped up at school and have been having to stay still and quiet most of the day.  Providing a space where they can just be kids for a while really helps.  During long techs if the kids aren't used for chunks of time I often set up a movie.  I always have quiet games, like chess and cards, available and even ask the kids to bring their own in as well.  Electronics are okay as long as they keep them quiet and don't fight over them.  One thing that is popular with all ages is coloring.  Hit the dollar store for a bunch of coloring books and crayons or colored pencils.  Each group of kids is different.  Just lay down the rules early, enforce them, and provide some distractions.

71

Employment / Re: Staying competetive in multiple markets

« on: Feb 02, 2012, 07:49 pm »

My sister recently recommended this site to me.  I haven't tried it yet but it certainly looks like a possible short term solution if you don't have any friends in the area of a potential job. 

www.couchsurfing.org