I'm a senior in high school, considering pursuing a collegiate education in Technical Theatre/Stage Management with hopes of one day acquiring a professional career in the field. While I had a rough understanding of what such a job entails (all of which I'm amenable to..) I gathered that there was simply tons of responsiblities that I didn't know about the job. I didn't want to get get an education for something I'd find only after attaining, that it wasn't my "thing". So to cure any false conceptions about the job, I recently shadowed the PSM of the National Jersey Boys Tour for a performance during their run in Cleveland. It was a phenomenal experience to say the least, and many of my ideas about professional PSM/SMing materialized, as well as aspects of the job i wasn't familiar with. I was exceedingly greatful for the opportunity, but I now find myself again in the dark about a few things...
For one, I realized I only saw a GLIMPSE of the PSM's job while he called the show, and to truly understand all the perameters of it, one would just have to be there from the beginning. No, I don't mean the rehearsal process, because I rather think that'd be both impossible and tedious. Or vice versa. But to be there from the tour's arrival to the theatre, when nothing is set up, and you've got only a few days to set up for a 5-week run, before you pick up and leave again. I'm writing to inquire if anybody has ever heard/done of this?? I figure if you can learn so much in just watching the calling of one show, there has to be so much more that one doesn't see, until it's actually you there doing it for a living. So i guess what I'm trying to relate is -- "shadowing" days before performances even begin.. Is it possible? Unheard of? I know there may be scenarios where extra bodies around would only inhibit the setting-up process, for a tour show that opens in only a few days time. I feel as if organizing a "shadowing" session as extensive as this, would be almost impossible to happen.
So...What do you think? I need thoughts/opinions/possible outlets...
and preferably in Cleveland, as I am still in high-school, and only an hour out from the city... but i think to do this would be worth it. Cleveland's Playhouse Square is offering a full season of Broadway Tours.. so it's just something to think about...
