Wow it seems like I post a ton of questions on this forum, but here's another one that I can't find. Last minute meetings/little to no information or communication from the department heads.
Situation: I'm the PSM for a Disney show at our local professional theatre, 28 person cast, 2 ASM's and 1 PA. We are currently beginning the rehearsal process of the biggest show that our second stage has ever seen, and it's only my second time as a PSM. I'm receiving little to no information from the director or department heads about what is going on with the designs, which are now in the finalization process and for one of the first production meetings I received a meeting notice less than 12 hours from the start of the meeting, and I have school in the morning. Classes can be worked around but I need at least 24 hours notice to let my teachers know. From what I hear the technical elements are going to be huge. The director says that he wants all the onstage pieces to leave the stage, but the set designer has designed them to big to leave through the entrance. Costumes are coming to our rehearsal on Saturday to measure people and I have no earthly idea what's happening with the design aspect. I don't know a budget, or the size, or even a blueprint of the edge of the stage to tape out the floor. I have e-mailed several of the department heads asking if they needed anything and have sent things out in the report, but they currently have a huge show running on the second stage and tech is going on, on the mainstage. I need information now! I'm a little concerned, because I'm not yet out of high school and am only 16 that the designers whom I haven't worked with before and have several years of experience are not going to take me seriously, but I at least need a little respect. Is 24 hours notice before a production meetings/stage blueprints for the floor (no set) and at least some sort of idea about what we're dealing with set/costume wise to much to ask? I know that everyone is in tech, and I can pick up slack but I need people to communicate with me! Thoughts?
Question What is the best way for me to be as professional as possible with the designers and department heads so that I can get the things that I need? The last thing that I want to do is to push people while they are in tech, and this show is literally the last thing on everyone's mind right now. I want to be friends, and don't want people to get irritated with me. However, I need to do my job and need people to read the reports, find the things needed or at least tell me that they will not have time and give me the means to find them. (Space blueprint/rehearsal props) I've contacted an SM friend of mine who currently works at the theatre. She's been really awesome and is going to give me the notes from the meeting, but I still feel very unprofessional right now with not attending and really need to gain the respect of the TD and the designers as we move forward which I believe is the root of the problem. Any thoughts on ways to inspire confidence?
