Author Topic: COMMUNICATION: Stuttering Stage Manager  (Read 4370 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

margaretheff

  • New to Town
  • **
  • Posts: 13
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
    • Margaret A. Heffernan Stage Manager
  • Affiliations: EMC, University of Northern Colorado, USITT
  • Current Gig: Production Assistant, New Repertory Theatre
  • Experience: Professional
COMMUNICATION: Stuttering Stage Manager
« on: Jan 29, 2015, 10:49 pm »
Hi there! I have posted about this in the past, but I wanted more feedback about it.

I have a moderate-severe stutter. It hinders a few things (being on book, very few calling mishaps), but my general performance as a stage manager has not been effected too severely by the impediment.

What would you think if you a met a stage manager with a stutter? Problem or no?


Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth
« Last Edit: Feb 17, 2015, 02:01 pm by Maribeth »
"To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time." -Leonard Bernstein

leastlikely

  • SM Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 137
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: EMC
  • Current Gig: The White Snake - Constellation Theatre Company
  • Experience: Professional
Re: Stuttering Stage Manager
« Reply #1 on: Jan 30, 2015, 02:13 am »
Well I grew up with a speech impediment of my own (medial and final R) so I wouldn't have a problem with it! :) (Mine is gone now after 3 years of speech therapy around middle school... it still happens once in a blue moon but not enough for anyone else to notice, but I still feel a sense of identity with it even though it no longer affects me)

But I feel like... when a unique speech pattern is part of your everyday life, you make subconscious 'fixes' for it. You're always compensating. So I would guess your calling has a slightly different rhythm than mine does just so you can have a little "just in case" wiggle room. I can imagine that being on book could be frustrating both for you and the actors... but I don't think it should be a huge problem? Unless you get an actor who is super impatient. But I suspect that if they've ever had an actual conversation with you before the moment when they call line... then they will probably be aware of your stutter. Like, it shouldn't be a surprise to them. So yes, it may slightly throw off the rhythm of the scene, but... eh, I feel like most people aren't going to be shocked by it so they should be able to take it in stride.

I feel like it's not that big of a deal, in the big scheme of things. Speaking clearly is part of the job, but certainly not the only or even necessarily most important. So no, I definitely do not think a stutter is inherently a problem. If, on an average day, it doesn't hurt your ability to do your job, then no I don't think it matters.

loebtmc

  • Forum Moderators
  • *****
  • Posts: 1574
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA, SAG, AFTRA, SMA
  • Current Gig: Caroling, caroling now we go — and looking for my next gig!
  • Experience: Professional
Re: Stuttering Stage Manager
« Reply #2 on: Jan 30, 2015, 02:44 am »
calling - esp complex shows - could be an issue, if your stutter gets worse under pressure, but often singing things helps, so try calling on a single tone and see if that helps!


jrcook07

  • Tourist
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Experience: College/Graduate
Re: COMMUNICATION: Stuttering Stage Manager
« Reply #3 on: Mar 09, 2015, 12:26 pm »
I have a similar problem because I like to get ahead of myself when I talk and I start tripping over my words but I haven't encountered any problems with it. Everyone is generally pretty patient and listens to all I have to say.