What would you do, with a grant for SMing...

[maximillionx]

As a segue off a recent thread about grants and their recipients...

Hypothetical: You've been awarded a grant for, say, $5,000. Hooray and good for you!

The grant is not detail specific in what it must be spent on like some grants, but it does require that the money must be applied to a Stage Management endeavor(s) (and not your salary...). You could spend it on your personal tools as an independent SM contractor or at your current theatre if you hold a management position.

How would you utilize this grant?

[planetmike]

I'd probably invest a hunk of it into a new computer. My current laptop turns seven this summer, and just last week started making funny noises. I'd probably need some new/upgraded software. Printer and network is fine. Why not put it towards salary/wage? Ok, fine, part goes for gas/vehicle reimbursement, paper/toner expenses, office supplies, first aid supplies, gaff and spike tape.

[hbelden]

Part of my financial aid package in grad school was an expense account (it wasn't $5K, but it seemed like a lot to me).  I used it to create and stock my SM Kit and that's lasted me about 8 years now.

I also applied, after grad school, for a grant that allowed me financially to SM a musical in a community theatre, as my grad school program didn't provide that opportunity that I determined was a necessary part of my education.

[Maribeth]

I would love to learn more about working with automation- with a grant like that, I would find a class or some other way to learn about automation. I'd also like to take an Italian language class, and possibly a music theory class. Both things I have some knowledge of, but not nearly as much as I would like.

[lsears]

I'd split it between some new equipment and training.  A new external hard drive, updating FilemakerPro, some good headphones for listening to opera scores, a flip camera to film portions of choreography and chorus blocking in rehearsal.  On the training side, I need a language course, either Italian or French for opera work.  I'd use it to pay for updating my first aid training, and maybe take that one level further.  I'd also like to take another course in stage combat.

[Jessie_K]

I'd get an ipad to use at work (strictly for work, of course ).  And I'd get several spineboards and c-collars to have on the ready, as I don't think we have enough at my current show.

[dallas10086]

iPad & iPhone
Website building and support
Take a few classes: music, Italian, French
Take a trip to the West End
Take a trip to a few regional theatres
Attend a couple of conferences
...and adding a few things to the wardrobe might be nice. All black, of course.

[megf]

This year, I'd apply the money to training and certification opportunities: First Aid, CPR, Fire Guard certification, a basic music theory class or music lessons, a language course (Spanish or French) and I'd contact a friend about doing some sort of observation or work exchange to look at the operations of a high-end scene shop, from the first day of the build through first paid public performance on a single project. I know what the timeline looks like from a SM view, from prep through opening night; seeing a project from the perspective of the shop in a commercial setting would be really cool. Like dallas10086, I would also love to visit the West End and some regional theaters. After all the experience and knowledge-building stuff, I would consider updating my office/tech tools, but really... I'll do that anyway

If I'd had a grant, say, eight years ago, I would have applied a portion to essential training, and earmarked the bulk of it for travel and related expenses. I was lucky to have opportunities in a variety of places; for a very early career SM (without the benefit of experience in negotiating reimbursements, or the backing of a union affiliation at the time) it was an expensive task to travel for great learning opportunities.