Wow! It's hard to believe it's already been ten weeks of school and working on the show!
This week, I read chapter 15 in my book, which covered keeping the show in hand during a long run. While A Man for all Seasons will only be running for four performances, there are still many tips in the chapter that were helpful. The most useful section was on cast morale. I especially related to the discussion of the second-performance slump, which is the natural downturn in energy after the excitement and adrenaline of opening night.
In tech, we have hung another of the tudor half-arches, and we also now have a poster for the show, which has been placed around the campus. We are starting technical rehearsals this week, for which I am very excited. We've scheduled a photoshoot with the campus photographer. I am so excited to see this show coming together!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Week 9: Working with the House Manager
Another week, another blog entry. This week I read about how to coordinate duties with the house manager. These duties generally include ensuring the comfort of the audience members before, during, and after the show. It is important for the stage and house managers to confer about who will be responsible for what duties. The house manager is usually responsible for turning the show over to the stage manager, and would make the call to hold the start of the show for various reasons. The house manager is also in charge of things like reservations and keeping the theater (and sidewalks outside) clean and safe for things like emergency exits.
This week in tech, I did some work on a poster for A Man for All Seasons. It won't end up getting used, as someone else is designing a poster for the show, but it was interesting to play with the design elements of the poster. I also worked some more with props, and worked to coordinate more fittings with the costume designer. More work was done this week in set and lighting; those areas should come together very soon. We are a few weeks away from the show, and it's going to take a push, but I think all the elements will come together to make a great show.
This week in tech, I did some work on a poster for A Man for All Seasons. It won't end up getting used, as someone else is designing a poster for the show, but it was interesting to play with the design elements of the poster. I also worked some more with props, and worked to coordinate more fittings with the costume designer. More work was done this week in set and lighting; those areas should come together very soon. We are a few weeks away from the show, and it's going to take a push, but I think all the elements will come together to make a great show.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Week 8: Running the Technical Rehearsal and Running the Show
It's the end of fall break, and we're one week closer to opening night!
This week I read about Running Technical Rehearsal and Running the Show. These are the areas where the stage manager really takes the reins of the show. Tech Rehearsal is an important time at which the cast's hard work comes together with the hard work of the crew. Technical elements are laid in and perfected so the final show can look and sound its best. I also read about running the show, which for me will consist mostly of calling cues for lighting and sound effects. It's important for the stage manager to pay attention to the show so these cues can go as planned, making the show the best that it can be.
This week in technical work, the set crew finished constructing the ramp which is the main feature of the set. It is really great to have the ramp and stairs in practice now and the cast are making great use of it. I also designed the tickets we will use for all of our shows, and they will hopefully be printed tomorrow when school resumes.
See you next week!
This week I read about Running Technical Rehearsal and Running the Show. These are the areas where the stage manager really takes the reins of the show. Tech Rehearsal is an important time at which the cast's hard work comes together with the hard work of the crew. Technical elements are laid in and perfected so the final show can look and sound its best. I also read about running the show, which for me will consist mostly of calling cues for lighting and sound effects. It's important for the stage manager to pay attention to the show so these cues can go as planned, making the show the best that it can be.
This week in technical work, the set crew finished constructing the ramp which is the main feature of the set. It is really great to have the ramp and stairs in practice now and the cast are making great use of it. I also designed the tickets we will use for all of our shows, and they will hopefully be printed tomorrow when school resumes.
See you next week!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Week 7: Department Management and Property Management
Welcome back to my fabulous stage management blog!
This week I read chapter ten in my book, which covered Department Management and Property Management. The book's brief section on Department Management encouraged stage managers to interact with department heads, discussing progress and problems they encounter. For the Jewell Theatre Company, this translates to meetings at the beginning and end of each of our workdays, where our workers talk about tasks they have and what they have accomplished. The chapter also discussed managing props, which I am currently doing since we don't have anyone taking the practicum for it.
I spent most of this week working on props for A Man for All Seasons. I also had the chance to write an editorial for the campus paper about the theatre department and the fall show. In other departments, costumes had more fittings while the costume designer was away. We also painted the arches we had assembled so far, and hung the first one on the back of the proscenium. It looks really awesome!
We'll have a short workweek this week because of fall break, but I'm confident we'll be able to keep moving forward. I'll be back to blog again next week!
This week I read chapter ten in my book, which covered Department Management and Property Management. The book's brief section on Department Management encouraged stage managers to interact with department heads, discussing progress and problems they encounter. For the Jewell Theatre Company, this translates to meetings at the beginning and end of each of our workdays, where our workers talk about tasks they have and what they have accomplished. The chapter also discussed managing props, which I am currently doing since we don't have anyone taking the practicum for it.
I spent most of this week working on props for A Man for All Seasons. I also had the chance to write an editorial for the campus paper about the theatre department and the fall show. In other departments, costumes had more fittings while the costume designer was away. We also painted the arches we had assembled so far, and hung the first one on the back of the proscenium. It looks really awesome!
We'll have a short workweek this week because of fall break, but I'm confident we'll be able to keep moving forward. I'll be back to blog again next week!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Week 6: Keeping the Cast on Time and Supervision of Shifts
Welcome once more to the land of stages and the management thereof!
This week I read about enforcing punctuality and coordinating scene shifts. The chapter on enforcing punctuality was probably more helpful to me, as scene shifts for A Man for All Seasons will be minimal, and completed by the cast members. The chapter on keeping the cast on time was probably most helpful in explaining ways to communicate the importance of a prompt arrival to cast members. Some actors just might not get it, or might not think it's important, or might not think call rules apply to them, but it helps if I am able to say, "Being here an hour and a half early is important for these reasons..."
In tech this week, progress continues apace. Two of the four Tudor half-arches are now completed and covered in fabric, waiting to be secured in place. Our costume designer will be gone this week, but we will still have cast members coming in for fittings. A lot of work has been done in lighting regarding the hanging and focusing of the lighting instruments. I am excited to see what more we get done this week!
This week I read about enforcing punctuality and coordinating scene shifts. The chapter on enforcing punctuality was probably more helpful to me, as scene shifts for A Man for All Seasons will be minimal, and completed by the cast members. The chapter on keeping the cast on time was probably most helpful in explaining ways to communicate the importance of a prompt arrival to cast members. Some actors just might not get it, or might not think it's important, or might not think call rules apply to them, but it helps if I am able to say, "Being here an hour and a half early is important for these reasons..."
In tech this week, progress continues apace. Two of the four Tudor half-arches are now completed and covered in fabric, waiting to be secured in place. Our costume designer will be gone this week, but we will still have cast members coming in for fittings. A lot of work has been done in lighting regarding the hanging and focusing of the lighting instruments. I am excited to see what more we get done this week!
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