Author Topic: Dress blacks and what is or is not acceptable  (Read 10265 times)

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Patlienemann

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Dress blacks and what is or is not acceptable
« on: Nov 19, 2014, 10:13 am »
Good morning!

So as a novice SM (on my way out of college, done a few gigs outside of school too) I have a question for the community.

When it comes to show time I LOVE to wear dress blacks - button up long sleeves, slacks, etc... not just your average polo.  When I wear button up shirts I do enjoy wearing a tie with them because it looks... nicer.  I have black long ties and black bow ties, but I also have dark colored ties as well (I.E. maroon/black, dark blue or green with black patterns, etc...).  I was curious what the general thoughts are on colored ties versus black ties.  Obviously I'm not going to go into a show wearing a bright yellow or white tie - especially if I am working backstage, but if I am hidden in a booth would you be alright if your PSM or ASM wore a tie that wasn't black?  I've also been in situations where I take the tie off before the show begins as I'm getting comfy in my seat - could this be an ok alternative?

Thoughts?

LizzG

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Re: Dress blacks and what is or is not acceptable
« Reply #1 on: Nov 19, 2014, 12:21 pm »
If you're calling the show, I would say go for it!  When I call a show, I don't bother with blacks at all.

If you're doing a backstage track, I'd stick to the plain black or taking the colored tie off when you start the show.

BenTheStageMan

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Re: Dress blacks and what is or is not acceptable
« Reply #2 on: Nov 19, 2014, 06:07 pm »
I'd recommend not wearing a tie at all if you're running a backstage track.  Even with a tie clip, you're still risking getting it caught somewhere, and do you really want to be wearing something that flaps around?  It makes me think of the "No capes!" scene from The Incredibles.  I had a dresser once who wore vests and bow ties, but dressers can get away with that.

I also wouldn't personally risk slacks or button-downs either--I'd be afraid to rip them or spill something on them, or wear them out, or lose a button, or get them dusty, or, or, etc. But if you're you're not moving set pieces or working with food or a fly rail I guess it's up to you.  I just wouldn't wear something "nice" to run a show unless I was in a booth.

If you're in a booth, though, dress up to the nines if you want!  Color-wise, as LizzG said, you could consider not sticking to wearing blacks.  My personal rule is if I'm going to be onstage, say helping with an intermission shift, or if I'm in an open booth, I wear blacks.  If not, something presentable at least--there is always the possibility of a Stage Manager having to interact with a patron, so they should always be dressed in presentable blacks or business casual.
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loebtmc

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Re: Dress blacks and what is or is not acceptable
« Reply #3 on: Nov 20, 2014, 12:31 pm »
I know it's not as common any more for SMs and those in the booth - but wearing blacks also gives you a bit of a pass with touring and other places where folks may not know you. I have found that wearing stage blacks is like a ticket in, a universally recognized secret password to maneuvering without being blocked.

BayAreaSM

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Re: Dress blacks and what is or is not acceptable
« Reply #4 on: Nov 21, 2014, 02:07 am »
I think it depends on the venue, company, and your relationship with both. I call from backstage, but I work in a union house where I shouldn't be doing anything but calling the show (and I always have 2 ASMs watching the deck).

I tend to dress nicely, but not necessarily black. I stand behind a console and am never in sight lines. My predecessors ranged from wearing tails (I'm not kidding) to wearing holy jeans and the local hockey team's light gray sweatshirt. I think I may have worn a white shirt backstage in the past, but I always had a black long sleeve cover up if I needed to walk away from my console during the show.

It also depends on the show - there have been times that I've found during tech that I can't see the show properly in the monitor and I need to call standing in the wings, or sometimes even laying on the floor in the wings. For those shows, I make sure I'm in all blacks or at least with a black long sleeve cover up, without anything that is going to make noise or get me caught on any scenery or hard leg bungees.

When I'm in the booth - which is incredibly rare, color doesn't matter. Though I think it's nice to dress up, as it shows the company that you care, and if you need to walk through the house or the lobby, it helps to look like a professional. The booth is definitely a place to enjoy your splash of color.

VilleSM

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Re: Dress blacks and what is or is not acceptable
« Reply #5 on: Dec 09, 2014, 07:31 pm »
My thought is that you always have the potential to be seen by someone "important." At one theatre I worked at, I had to walk through the audience to get to the Dressing Rooms (and we didn't have a god-mic system to give call times). I always wore my dress blacks (button-down black shirt, nice pants, non-slip dress shoes) but would also wear a colorful tie.

When I moved to being an ASM, I was always in stage blacks, but my SM wore whatever she felt like because she was never seen by the audience.

For me, my appearance is key. I want to make sure I'm presenting myself (and my theatre) in the best way I can, which includes my outfit. Plus, I think it sets a good example for the cast that YOU have some pride in the show, too.

Now, that's not saying I don't throw on my hoodie once I'm in my booth and out of sight...
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SMMeade

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Re: Dress blacks and what is or is not acceptable
« Reply #6 on: Dec 11, 2014, 01:03 am »
I know it's not as common any more for SMs and those in the booth - but wearing blacks also gives you a bit of a pass with touring and other places where folks may not know you. I have found that wearing stage blacks is like a ticket in, a universally recognized secret password to maneuvering without being blocked.

A few years ago, a crew guy at Lincoln Center held open a backstage door for me on his way back in while I was walking by- even though I was 19, and not anywhere near associated with LC. However, I was wearing a black t-shirt, black jeans, and black sneakers. Blacks will get you far. I've gotten into dressing very nicely for my shows- but only because 3 out of the last 4 I've been in costume. Period pieces ya'll!