Author Topic: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?  (Read 219799 times)

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BLee

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #60 on: Feb 12, 2008, 09:11 pm »
I have always found need for the following basics:

8" wrench (for lighting; a special skill I love to work with)
scale ruler (necessary if you still tape floors)
glow tape (multiple rules b/c they always seems to "mysteriously" disappear)

Those are my tri-fecta. I have a scrapbook kit my aunt gave to me as a gift. It is a miracle organizer that can be set up (by folding back a couple flaps) to be a little organized desk place (minus the hard surface). And it hold multiple binders and legal pads and everything else I've managed to come up with. It also has a separate roller box to put it in for easy moving.

As for the tape debate: Duck tape is only acceptable for quick fixes that have to hold up for a long run and nothing that shows (like that damn hanging cord). As for masking tape, I agree, it is EVIL. I know some who use it on props tables, but the only time I do that is if butcher's paper is laid down first. Many an hour has been wasted on someone having to pull up that crap. I guess in high school that would acceptable, but in the real and/or college world the theatre is in constant use and has no time to be peeled.

"Peel your sunburn, not your table."  ;D
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Amie

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Re: What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #61 on: Feb 13, 2008, 10:26 am »
Iknow..it's a pain to take up.....but when I have no money..and when I have to order any other sort of tape (we live in po dunk town..we don't even have an official "building store".)...... I use masking tape...

Isha - when I run out of spike tape, I personally use colored electrical tape, which does come up easier from floor surfaces (when spiking) and still pretty durable.  Spike is always best, but I find electrical tape works well. I learned that from an equity scenic designer and it's saved me in many situations.

As for kits, I also find that I have one with items I use quite often, but don't always use the kit in every theater situation, based on what the theater already provides.  It's used "as needed" to get "the job done", as Matthew stated earlier.

Best to you,
Amie
~ Amie ~

“This whole creation is essentially subjective, and the dream is the theater where the dreamer is at once: scene, actor, prompter, stage manager, author, audience, and critic.”

camogirl

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #62 on: Mar 01, 2008, 05:36 am »
I don't really have a kit. I have a camo jacket with lots of pockets that I swiped from brother years ago.

In all of thos pockets I carry pens, pencils, post-its, safety pins, paperclips, band aids, a pieces of tie line and whatever else I pick up along the way. I also have my leatherman and maglite on my belt. This way everything is on my person and I don't have to worry about actors getting into my kit if i'm not watching them closely. It works for me.

jemason

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #63 on: Mar 30, 2008, 01:48 pm »
At the previous college I worked at, they had a big toolbox full of things,  specifically for stage manager use, called the "godbox."    When I first started, I didn't know why it had such a funny name - now I do!  ("Stage managers ARE God.")
I stage manage, therefore I am.

KMC

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #64 on: Nov 25, 2008, 09:34 am »
For my kit I use a Plano tacklebox.  Inside I've got:

- Yellow #2 Pencils
- Eraser
- Battery powered pencil sharpener
- Manual pencil sharpener
- Pens (black, blue, red)
- Sharpies (approx 20 colors)
- Digital clock for rehearsal table
- Rubber bands (various sizes)
- Paperclips (various sizes)
- Stapler
- Scissors
- Exacto knife
- Drafting triangle
- Scale rule
- First aid kit
- Condoms
- Tampons
- Spare wallet cards
- Batteries (AA, AAA, 9v)
- Post-its
- Spike tape (several colors)
- Glow tape
- Gaff tape
- 3 hole punch
- Binder clips
- 2x 25' tape measure
- 1x 50' tape measure
- Playing cards
- Multi-tool
- Pushpins
- Two sided tape
- Scotch tape
- AA Maglite
- Spare lamps for maglite



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sourc3

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #65 on: Dec 06, 2008, 09:34 pm »
-Condoms

For mic packs? Or do your actors get frisky backstage... :-P Had a hysterically funny incident the other day in which our lead and I were talking and a non-theatre friend of ours walked in just as she was saying "...so I had to go into the mens dressing room to look for a used condom..." since she was the only mic'd person on stage.

Also, as a male SM, do any of your female actors find it awkward coming to you for tampons if the need arises? I'm still working in a collegiate setting and am friends with most of the actors - male or female - and that seems to be somewhat of a personal thing. It really doesn't bother me, I just didn't know if there was another use for them.

I have a AA Maglite that has become my best friend. I got a nifty little LED conversion kit for it that means the light will basically a) never burn out  b) included red and blue gels, and c) came with a new endcap that has a nifty dimmable switch on it. (bright, med, dim). www.thinkgeek.com  <-- Has the LED kit as well as TONS of nifty little cubicle toys that work well for SM toys.
-David

mnsalz91

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #66 on: May 01, 2009, 05:37 pm »
at the risk sounding incredibly naive and oblivious what is an SM kit?

cprted

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #67 on: May 01, 2009, 11:43 pm »
at the risk sounding incredibly naive and oblivious what is an SM kit?
Stage Managers typically carry a kit with them that contains useful items are any combination of,  A) necessary for rehearsal; B) help things run smoother; C) problem solving supplies; D) just plain handy to have.

BlantonRK

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #68 on: Jul 06, 2009, 08:05 pm »
Don't you always need the one thing that's not in the kit!!!
For years I kept an old-fashion bicycle bell on a 6" piece of broom handle which served as telephone rings, doorbells, and on one occasion a bike bell. I gave it to my nephew last Halloween as part of his mini-Lance Armstrong costume and I didn't get it back. Now I need one in hurry and have to pay as much in overnight shipping as I do for the bell itself.

jbode0781

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #69 on: Jun 04, 2010, 06:56 pm »
About a year ago when I first really got into stage management, my parents gave me money and I went on a shopping spree before my internship.  I've attached my list of my dream SM kit (PDF since we can't upload excel).  Some things I'm not quite sure I will ever buy, because I'm not quite sure I will ever need it, but it's nice to know I thought of it.    ::)




Deuteronomy75

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #70 on: Jun 06, 2010, 03:31 am »
[...] I've attached my list of my dream SM kit (PDF since we can't upload excel).  [...]

OT: I see the paperclip symbol for the attachment, but how to open it? No reaction when clicking on it. (May be a silly question...)

--Mod Note: attachment required approval - has been approved, so click to download. -Mac
« Last Edit: Jun 06, 2010, 09:27 am by Mac Calder »

late_stranger

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #71 on: Jul 18, 2010, 11:01 pm »
This is such an amazing thread; it's helped me so much. I've already stage managed two shows, but I was rather inexpert and constantly had to go find things. As soon as school (I'm in high school) starts, I'm going to bring in a purse and leave it in the theatre (I can't carry purses; I will leave them anywhere and everywhere).

This is what I plan to have in it:
- spike tape
-gaffe tape
-pre-cut glow tape
-sewing needle/thread
-emergency granola bars
-breath mints
-pencils out the wazoo
-Colorful band-aids
-tie line
-sharpies

My school has all the necessary tools, and I'll carry a binder with all my papers in it. This thread has been *so* useful; thank you all.
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Tempest

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #72 on: Jul 19, 2010, 01:39 pm »
late_stranger, I, too am a fan of the colorful band-aid (my own personal stock has Amy Brown faeries in it.  Thanks, Mom!), but be sure to stock plenty of good old flesh toned, as well.  The last thing an actor wants is a big neon green band-aid on their hand when they've got to go on stage and be serious!
Jessica: "Of course I have a metric size 4 dinglehopper in my kit!  Who do you think I am?"

Stage Rose

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #73 on: Aug 16, 2010, 06:30 pm »
I must confess...reading this thread was quite humorous.  However, as amazingly awesome colorful band-aids are, when performing, it can be rather distracting, but again, this depends on the type of show you are doing.  If you are doing a show where the performers are mostly covered, then by all means, pull out the nifty colored band-aids. But if you do shows that have dancers who wear scanty clothing, nude and darker colored band-aids are the preference.  Again, it depends.  I wish I could use brightly colored band-aids!!!

Here are a few things I keep in my SMK. :)
-Needles
-Threads of many colors (White, black, bright colors, etc)
-Safety pins
-Mini scissors
-Tweezers
-Band-aids
-Gauze-wrap
-Knee and ankle braces
-Gauze
-Paper bags (for asthma attacks)
-Inhalers
-Tape
-Batteries
-Nail clippers
-Clear nail polish, (excellent for repairing torn dance tights)
-Pens and pencils
-and depending on the production, other small accessories.
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Catherine Johnson

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Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« Reply #74 on: Aug 24, 2010, 09:50 pm »
While I was ASM for Come Blow Your Horn this previous spring I had a set of plastic boxes separated into office supplies and first aid stuff in my cubby in the technical directors office. I had several types of Band-Aids including Hello Kitty, Spider Man, and several types of flesh tone one. Apparently at some point during Act I the actor playing Alan cut his finger on an exposed nail, or something (I really don't know any of the specifics because once tech week started I took off my ASM hat and put on my Lighting Designer/Board Op hat). During Intermission the SM was running around like a chicken with her head cut off because she was unable to find any Band-Aids in the theatres first aid kit. The actor reminded her of my stock pile of first aid and she started franticly rummaging through my box, which I am still a little resentful about because it was all out of order after that. All she was able to find was the spiderman ones that were in a mini first aid kit. Some one passing by and noticed the insanity in the office pointed out the several boxes of the fleshy ones. She handed the actor one of those and he started pouting. He wanted the spiderman ones and was certain it wouldn't be a problem because Stan Lee was alive in 1961.

Goodness that was a long winded anecdote. I guess the point of it was that the absurdly bright and colorful Band-Aids are a huge pick me up for the inner 3 year old of any injured actor.

As for my SM kit, it is currently made up of the 2 previously mentioned boxes over flowing with medical supplies and office supplies. As well as a travel toiletry bag (the kind that roll up and have a hook at the top) that I fill with this things I am most likely to need during a rehearsal, things like post its, pencils (for actors), white out, bobby pins, hair ties, erasers, dry erase and wet erase markers, sharpies in various shades, mini first aid kit, and a mini sewing kit. I hang it on the back of my chair for easy access during rehearsal. There is also an other smaller make up bag of sorts that I carry along with me everywhere (mostly because I hate to feel like I'm not ready for anything, and I'm a little OCD) that has post its, pencils (for me), highlighters, pens, sharpies, tissues, and hand sanitizer