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Author Topic: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE  (Read 9027 times)

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MatthewShiner

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BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« on: Sep 07, 2010, 02:37 am »
I have meeting a lot of stage managers in my new New York experience, some with more experience, some with less experience.

What is the best advice can you give out . . .

I am a huge fan of "There is no one right way to stage manage, but there are a hell of a lot of wrong ways".

Your favorite one line piece of advice . . . post them here.
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Anything posted here as in my own personal opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer - whomever they be at a given moment in time.

ScooterSM

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #1 on: Sep 07, 2010, 09:07 am »
Do it because you love it.  If you are in it for the glory, or the fame, or the money, you will be sorely disappointed.
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dallas10086

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #2 on: Sep 07, 2010, 12:11 pm »
Matthew, I think I may borrow that one.

From a mentor when I was first starting out: "You have as much right to do your job as the director and the actors. Never ask permission to do your job." In the context of the moment it was the best advice he could have given to someone who needed confidence at the time.
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Tempest

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #3 on: Sep 07, 2010, 12:22 pm »
dallas10086, thanks for posting that one.  I need that reminder now and again, especially when I'm being constantly berated, by control freaks, for doing my job.
Mine is "Learn to function on the edge of chaos; it will keep coming at you so you'd better accept it.  The edge is fine; just don't fall in."
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loebtmc

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #4 on: Sep 07, 2010, 12:41 pm »
dallas - I am stealing your mentor's saying - and posting it on my callboard next time I have super-high-maintenance actors/designers!
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dallas10086

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #5 on: Sep 07, 2010, 01:04 pm »
Quote from: loebtmc on Sep 07, 2010, 12:41 pm
dallas - I am stealing your mentor's saying - and posting it on my callboard next time I have super-high-maintenance actors/designers!
Quote from: tempest_gypsy on Sep 07, 2010, 12:22 pm
dallas10086, thanks for posting that one.  I need that reminder now and again, especially when I'm being constantly berated, by control freaks, for doing my job.

You're welcome!
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babens

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #6 on: Sep 07, 2010, 05:42 pm »
My advice to many stage managers, and sometimes many other people, is "Just breathe."  Too many people never take that step back to breathe and get a grip on the situation. 
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On_Headset

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #7 on: Sep 07, 2010, 05:58 pm »
It's only a show.

Everything in theatre ultimately feeds into a given performance of a given show. If one of those shows is imperfect, oh well: it's not the end of the world. If one of those shows is cancelled, oh well: it's one of thousands, there will be other opportunities. No matter how stressful it becomes, it's still only a show, and the planet will continue revolving even if it doesn't go perfectly according to plan.

And, of course, if things become dangerous, remember: it's only a show. No performance is worth breaking your neck, or huffing asbestos, or burning the building down.
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missliz

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #8 on: Sep 07, 2010, 05:59 pm »
It's live theater- you get to redo it again tomorrow.
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NomieRae

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #9 on: Sep 07, 2010, 09:32 pm »
Very generic but I find it very useful: "Keep calm & carry on"
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RuthNY

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #10 on: Sep 08, 2010, 03:26 pm »
The Stage Manager's work is not finished when the rehearsal day is over.  Don't make plans that can't be changed!
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dee4156

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #11 on: Sep 10, 2010, 10:12 am »
From my very first gig that has stuck with me..

"Never get so caught up in paperwork that you lose touch with the show. You're number one priority is to have a feeling of absolutely everything that's going on."

I'm from the old school less-is-more paperwork rule. Do what is necessary only so your head's not in the paperwork to know/feel the show.
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Jill Woodward

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #12 on: Sep 10, 2010, 01:17 pm »
There was a really rough patch I hit last February while working on a show with multiple directors, actors forced to do crew, and designers designing outside of their forte. (Gotta LOVE senior projects.) To put it mildly, I was MISERABLE.

Best Advice Ever?  No show lasts forever.

It made the last month pass quicker.
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megf

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #13 on: Sep 10, 2010, 06:27 pm »
It's called a PLAY for a reason!
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melissa.mullen

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Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE
« Reply #14 on: Sep 28, 2010, 11:13 am »
A wise professor once told me:
                                                    "Excuses do not excuse you... they just explain your failure!"
How relevant to what we, as stage managers, go through!!!  ;D 
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