Stage Management information

[icewolf]

777666 recently very flatteringly bemoaned that her current stage manager is not, shall we say, up to snuff. I answered her with some information sources that I'm reposting here.

As I hope has been well and truly embedded into Ye Olde Rumor Mill, I am looking to take the next show off (and if I wasn't before, I sure as hell am now), and to audition for the one after that. So, who's stepping up?

There are so many people in and connected with the Rude Mechanicals who have fabulous organizational and problem solving skills. All they may lack is information. Where, you may ask, can they find that information? I'm so glad you asked...

1. Your friendly neighborhood SM. That's not necessarily me. I can put people in touch with any number of qualified stage managers.(Just not charlotteb_; she has come to the conclusion that she doesn't miss it. Although she'd probably be more than willing to answer questions.) There's even an LJ community.

2. The Stage Manager's Handbook, by Bert Gruver (latest edition revised by Frank Hamilton). It even goes so far as to give some advice on politicking and schmoozing. I strongly suggest you ignore those, but otherwise, it's an outstanding guide.

3. Stage Management and Theatre Administration, part of the Theatre Manuals series put out by Schirmer Books, by Pauline Menear and Terry Hawkins. Very spartan, but chock-full of information.

4. Stage Management (fourth edition) by Lawrence Stern. Stern tends to subscribe to the "SM-as-Doormat/Martyr" theory, but if you ignore that part, it's a helpful book.

5. Stage Mangement Forms and Formats: A Collection of Over 100 Forms Ready to Use by Barbara Dilker. Pretty much exactly what it sounds like: audition and character forms, prop plots, costume plots, schedules, etc. I'm not willing to loan out the book, but I'll happily make copies for anyone who asks.

Additionally, I would give this advice to would-be RM SMs: don't be afraid to do your job. The director is a very nice person with the driving artistic vision, but you do not work for him/her, and s/he is not a deity. The cast's well being and safety always come first.

Comments

[findingjuliet.livejournal.com]

i remember how worried i was that you were taking your break during midSummer. i feel soooooooooooooo lucky that you were able to stick it out one more show. ENJOY YOUR BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and thanks for all that you do, seriously.

[tazira.livejournal.com]

Indeed.

prodding S.M. instincts into place

[sabine42.livejournal.com]

Sigh...I have the desire, but I'm looking a long way down the road before I have the time...I can't do it with A&C, I don't think I want to double SM and design on Much Ado...although I may combine SM w/ AD if I still do that for Faust...? Sigh, someday I may put on that hat again. But you have set an amazingly high standard!

[chickenhat.livejournal.com]

THIS is why you're awesome. Thanks for the resources. :-)

Although now I've got 2 proverbs stuck in my head.
The one is, of course:
"Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach him to fish and he'll eat for the rest of his life."

This is always followed by:
"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a night, set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life..."

[tompurdue.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Should the Rudes have a library?

[icewolf010.livejournal.com]

Where on earth would we keep it? Who would have "custody?" Nah. More trouble than it's worth.

A database of what theater books different people own, on the other hand, could be very useful.