In the News - June 2018

Happy July!

And yes, I can’t believe it’s July either…

Here’s the June “In the News” Round-Up!

The touring Hamilton stage managers spoke at (my undergrad Alma mater) UC Irvine in a panel called “In Conversation with the Hamilton Stage Management Team” - they discussed what drew them to theatre, the pros and cons of touring, and much more!

In case you need even more Hamilton, the Broadway production stage manager, Amber White, explained the countless duties required to run such a giant production in Playbill.

Stage Manager Gareth Hulance outlined the difference between stage managing theatre and ceremonies (ex. the Olympics!) on TheatreArtLife.

Tyler Mount, stage manager turned producer, discussed his career trajectory and successes in an interview with Out Magazine.

The BBC wrote a brief piece on a stage manager that is suing a production company for negligence after his feet were crushed by a counterweight.

In the News June 2017

This edition of "In the News" is a bit late - but here's a recap of Stage Management related news from June 2017!

This was a busy month for the theatre world! In early June, NYC hosted the Broadway Stage Management Symposium, and shortly thereafter, the 2017 Tony Awards!! In honor of the Tony Awards, NPR wrote an amazing piece on Broadway stage managers called "Stage Managers: You Can't See Them, But Couldn't See a Show Without Them," featuring Cats SM Ira Mont, Sweat SM Donald Fried, and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 SM Karyn Meek.

Controversy arose in mid-June, again in New York City, towards the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of Julius Caesar. Amidst protesters repeatedly storming the stage, the stage manager "handled it beautifully" according to Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, by calling for security then prompting the actors to continue their performance. 

Near the end of the month, Actor's Equity and the League of Resident Theatres reached an agreement & ratified the new LORT contract - stay tuned on how those changes will affect stage managers across the country!

Regional stage managers were applauded in Broadway World's "Thank You, Places" series, honoring SMs from Nashville, Tennessee, Deborah Rodus Arvin and Alexis Lavon, and in Lancaster Online's piece called "What does a Stage Manger Do? Everything!"
 

In the News May 2017

Here's a round-up of some stage management news for May 2017!

Actor’s Equity members vote to make non-performers more “visible and valued.”

Broadway World has been showcasing PSMs (whilst generally explaining stage management) with their “Thank You, Places” series. Read about Tennessee stage managers Cecilia Lighthall and Shannon Spencer

Blogger and stage manager Jess Gow, of the UK theatrical website “The Stage,” writes about giving people second chances.

At an award ceremony in the Philippines, actor and director Baby Borredo recognizes the passion required to work in theatre, saying,

“Theater and passion walk together hand in hand so whether you’re on stage, whether you’re (at the) back stage, whether you’re a stage manager, lighting, there has to be that passion because it is passion that keeps theater alive.”

— Baby Borredo

SM Hack 2: Turn the Page

A quick SM Hack for today -

When working on a script that is still receiving updates/changes from the creative team, print new pages on a different color of pastel printer paper. Monday's new pages can be on pink paper, Tuesday's on green, and so on. This allows for a quick, visual way to ensure everyone is working off the same, updated script. Keep a log of what colors went with what days and, as always, remember to add the date to the bottom of the script!