Just a reminder . . .

[MatthewShiner]

For many of stage managers, Broadway is the goal, the dream, the destination, but today, I was given just the ever so gentle reminder in not so gentle way that being a Broadway stage manager just means you have worked in a specific geographic area bounded by some specific streets.  It does not mean you are better stage manager, in fact it does not mean you are a good stage manager or even a competent stage manager. 


Again, it only means that you have worked in a specific geographic area that our union specifies pays more for certain productions. 

Just wanted to share that which I was reminded of today.

[dallas10086]

Thank you Matthew, I think especially the college grads need to keep this in mind. If you keep a geographical location as the peak indicator of success - especially when so many others have the same indicator, or are told you only really 'make it' when you work there - you're bound to experience some disappointment.

[MatthewShiner]

I am not saying all Broadway stage managers are bad, or mean, or whatever, I am just saying . . . it's just an address my friends.

[dallas10086]

No no, not saying you did. Just agreeing.

[NomieRae]

Great way to put it into perspective.

Although I would love to work on a show on Broadway, I'm not about to gauge my entire career's success on it. I

I'm also a big believer that not every stage manager would be best suited on a Broadway show. Depends on your strengths and weaknesses and the show involved.

Now back to my off-off broadway holiday show with me

[late_stranger]

Thanks, Matthew. It's a good reminder that we all need to hear every once in a while. 

[TarytheA]

My darling father, who is a genius in so many ways, has a harder time understanding theatre than almost anyone else that I've met.  I've been explaining things to him for over 10 years now, and still he occasionally asks, "Okay.  So what's the difference between the lighting designer and all the other designers again?"  I don't really know what to do with him.

Every time I see him, he asks me whether or not I've become a director yet.  When I tell him that I don't WANT to be a director, I'm a stage manager and a board programmer (lighting and projections), he is completely bewildered.  In his mind, the director is the very top of the food chain, and the ultimate goal of everyone in theatre is to become one.  I think the reason for this is twofold.  First, the movie world teaches us that the "best" people (the ones whose names everyone knows) are the actors and big-time directors.  The director is "the boss".  Second, my dad is a Lt. Col in the army, so his world is very hierarchical - he doesn't seem to comprehend the idea that in theatre, one designer isn't necessarily better than another, and the director isn't the top rung on the ladder.

Similarly, he frequently asks, "So why aren't you working on Broadway yet?"  To him, Broadway is the ultimate goal for theatre folk, and since he accepts nothing less than "the best" from his daughter, every year I spend not on Broadway is another year I've failed to really succeed. *sigh*  I may someday go to Broadway for the experience if the right opportunity pops up (and who knows?  maybe I'll love it), but I don't think that it's for me!  I love regional theatre and at the moment, see myself doing it forever.

[bex]

My darling father, who is a genius in so many ways, has a harder time understanding theatre than almost anyone else that I've met.  I've been explaining things to him for over 10 years now, and still he occasionally asks, "Okay.  So what's the difference between the lighting designer and all the other designers again?"  I don't really know what to do with him.

Every time I see him, he asks me whether or not I've become a director yet.  When I tell him that I don't WANT to be a director, I'm a stage manager and a board programmer (lighting and projections), he is completely bewildered.  In his mind, the director is the very top of the food chain, and the ultimate goal of everyone in theatre is to become one.  I think the reason for this is twofold.  First, the movie world teaches us that the "best" people (the ones whose names everyone knows) are the actors and big-time directors.  The director is "the boss".  Second, my dad is a Lt. Col in the army, so his world is very hierarchical - he doesn't seem to comprehend the idea that in theatre, one designer isn't necessarily better than another, and the director isn't the top rung on the ladder.

Similarly, he frequently asks, "So why aren't you working on Broadway yet?"  To him, Broadway is the ultimate goal for theatre folk, and since he accepts nothing less than "the best" from his daughter, every year I spend not on Broadway is another year I've failed to really succeed. *sigh*  I may someday go to Broadway for the experience if the right opportunity pops up (and who knows?  maybe I'll love it), but I don't think that it's for me!  I love regional theatre and at the moment, see myself doing it forever.

Your family sounds like my family. 2 generations of Air Force officers... Until my senior year of college, I don't think the words "stage manager" ever came out of my mother's mouth in that order- it was always either "stage director" or "theatre manager," & my aunts and uncles ask at every family gathering when I'm going to move to New York.

[BLee]

Bex, my family does the word mix up all the time. My grandma still can't get past asking "But when someone offers you a part your going to be an actress, right?" My parents then usually quip "She is just waiting to become the next Spielberg." Both of those remarks just cause me to get the stage-manager-is-a-real-job-not-a-stepping-stone scowl that reminds them I actually like my job as is (hence going to graduate school for it!).