Is it a norm?

[SMeustace]

While I was a production assistant for a theater it was my job with the ASM to prep food, do presets, intermission shift and post-show clean up. During the entire tech rehearsal period and the two week run, the SM may have came down from the booth once to act as a sub house manager and came backstage at least once during intermission. All calls were given on backstage paging. The entrance to the booth was located in a hallway that's off limits to the patrons/public so technically part of the backstage area. 

As a SM I like to check-in on my ASM and departments/crews during intermission sort of like a progress report and try to check-in with the cast. I might even assist with moving props and set pieces when I notice the ASMs struggling and If i can help.

I'm not sure whether it is because of our difference in our styles or if i'm micro-mangaging a bit too much?

Is it a "norm" that SMs barely leave the booth during intermission except if some big trouble or issues comes up?

Background info: The SM wasn't the show's original SM as this show was remounted for the summer. Its original opening was early spring.

[PSMKay]

There are no norms. Aside from union rules in union houses (which as we've seen can be open to multiple interpretations) and basic human courtesy there should be no norms. The most crippling thing you can say in an artistic environment is "but this is how we've always done things."

[BayAreaSM]

As Kay said, there is no "norm" for what you are asking about. It can be dependent on the company, the venue and the SM. Depending on who I'm working with, and whether I'm in the booth or backstage, will determine whether or not I need to or even if I can physically get to my ASM to check in with them.

If you feel like you would want the SM to check in with you, or you feel as though you're not being supported, you could try to grab the SM for a few minutes after the show to talk about it. There are some SMs out there that may not be of the mind to check in on crew for one of several reasons

1) they think the ASM is experienced enough and/or they don't want someone looking over their shoulder
2) they need to stay in the booth to keep themselves focused
3) they simply haven't thought about checking in with the ASM

When I was a PA, due to the venue and my intermission track, my SMs almost never came backstage. It was an outdoor amphitheater and the SM's goal was to beat the audience to the restroom, grab something to drink then get back to the booth. We had headsets, but while I was onstage doing an intermission shift in costume, it was requested (at times) that I didn't wear it. Once my shift was complete, I always checked back in over comm.

I will say, as a SM in that same venue, I did check in with my PA to see if they ever needed help with preset or intermission shifts, and if so, I found a way to work it into my day. But not everyone thinks that way, sometimes that kind of attention is intuitive and sometimes it has to be learned.