JOB DESCRIPTION: How to explain what we do...

[chrrl]

I'm the Company Stage Manager at a small Equity Theatre company and I was asked by the Artistic Director to give a presentation to our board of directors at their next meeting.  I'm supposed to explain what a Stage Manager does, and then talk about why I'm excited for our upcoming production.  I always have difficulty explaining what I do - and this is a tough audience (a mix of people who know nothing about theatre, people who think they know a lot, and my bosses who do - and they're also the group of people that keep me employed).  I need to keep it interesting and fairly brief.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

[MatthewShiner]

I forwarded you a ppt presentation I used for my board presentation in Dallas.  (Sorry, it was too large to post here.)

If anyone else would like to see it, let me know, I can e-mail to you.

[PSMKay]

You may want to refer to this thread which, while taken from a more laid-back standpoint, gives a lot of different takes on "what we do."

[chrrl]

I forwarded you a ppt presentation I used for my board presentation in Dallas.  (Sorry, it was too large to post here.)

Thanks!  That's a great presentation - and a great way to demonstrate the skills and strangeness involved - the sense of humor is great, as well.  This is a big help!

[centaura]

I had to do a brief intro of myself and what I do at one of our theatre board meetings - the Executive Director pretty much just wanted a few minutes of entertainment to liven the meeting up and me being the newbie, as well as an ex-roadie, got to be it.  I just did a few sentences describing what I did, accompanied by a couple of stories of unusual situations that I've had to handle that crop up in theatres.  I'm not sure what Matt's presentation held - but humor, plus an amusing short story or two, is probably your best bet.

My presentation was interesting - I am an ex-roadie, but I do not at all look like what you'd assume a roadie to look like, so there was a lot of reaction to that.  It just goes to show that if you grab their attention with something interesting - its becomes less about what you're doing, but more about you're an interesting person doing it.

-Centaura

[chrrl]

I did my presentation last night and it went really well.  I opted not to do a power point because I was told it should be more casual than that, but I came with my prompt script for our current show and the set model - which they really enjoyed.   I kept it fairly brief and talked about what I do (with specifics from the show I'm currently rehearsing) and why I love my job - everyone was interested and asked some good questions.  Most people were surprised the things I described weren't all done by the director...  At least I set them straight

[madiobrien]

I forwarded you a ppt presentation I used for my board presentation in Dallas.  (Sorry, it was too large to post here.)

If anyone else would like to see it, let me know, I can e-mail to you.

i would like the presentation i too am always having trouble describing my job obrien.madi@gmail.com

[Bwoodbury]

I would be really interested to see the power point as well!

[BenTheStageMan]

As would I.

Thanks so much!

[MatthewShiner]

I am sorry that I haven't be able to respond to everyone that has requested the PPT, but after some thought, I would prefer that it not be openly posted on the web for everyone to download.  I would like some control over who I distribute it to.

I thank you for damjamkato for taking the time to post it, but I have edited his post to remove the link, and would prefer that my work not be just posted for anyone to have.  I would like to have some control over my work.

And on that note . . . I have posted it as a web presentation at http://www.stagemanager.net/10minutes.htm.  I will keep it for a while, and then take down eventually.  Please do not steal my work.

[GalFriday]

Matthew -

Thank you very much for posting your presentation. I thought you did a wonderful job of summing up what we do. I also thought you highlighted a "can not do without" part of a good stage manager's kit...a sense of humor  .

[crazylady]

I loved your presentation! I think the next time my Uncle asks me for the 20th time, "can you please explain to me what you do again" I might draw the bubble diagram about who I am responsible to/work with. Oh, and I loved the bit about, and then everyone leaves me. that made me laugh.

Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. 

[RuthNY]

Matt,

How kind of you to post your presentation on your website for everyone to refer to!  The humor in it is completely and utterly Irreverent You.  If anyone else tries to use it, they will be unsuccessful, as it will immediately out them as having "borrowed" it, for no one else in this Stage Management world has YOUR sense of humor.

 Have a great vacation, and don't bother sending that postcard that I know you already have addressed and stamped.  Just have a good time!

<snip>
And on that note . . . I have posted it as a web presentation at http://www.stagemanager.net/10minutes.htm.  I will keep it for a while, and then take down eventually.  Please do not steal my work.

[MatthewShiner]

That's me . . . the Irreverent Stage Manager.

[damjamkato]

Matthew, sorry for posting it without your consent.  You're right, I would want control over who gets my work as well.

By the way, great presentation.