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 - April 2018

Hello and happy end of April!

Here's some news from the past month -

Broadway SM Matthew Stern writes on common stage management misconceptions in Theatre Art Life.

The Stage interviews Royal Ballet stage managers and they highlight some key differences between stage managing ballet and stage managing opera!

Stage-Directions talks about all the bells and whistles that stage managers dealt with before modern technological advances.

And, for your rehearsal room pleasure... now anyone can download sound effect samples from the BBC database!

And, as a reminder,  both the Broadway Stage Management Symposium and Broadway Basics will be held in NYC in early June.

In the News - March 2018

Hope everyone had a good March! Welcome April & SPRING!

There's a new site on the Job Search page - Mandy Theatre Professionals (formerly Stage Jobs Pro)

The Broadway Stage Management Symposium will be in NYC from June 2-3, 2018, featuring an abundance of Broadway stage management speakers.

Stage managers from Wicked on Broadway will be conducting a two-part stage management intensive on June 4-5, 2018 in NYC called Broadway Basics.

Check out the 2018-19 season announcements from across the country at American Theatre

And, finally, Q2Q Comics' "Glitter Removal"

Glitter Removal from Q@Q Comics

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 #2

A recent Leaky Cauldron article writes that Sonia Friedman, British producer of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and winner of The Stage Award’s ‘Producer of the Year’ award for the past three consecutive years, began her theatrical career as a stage manager (first hired by Sir Laurence Olivier!) She joins that ranks of seminal theatre professionals that began their careers as stage managers, including Hal Prince and David Belasco.

Broadway World published another article in their “Thank You, Places” series about Tennessee Stage Manager Suzanne Spooner-Fault.

On a more serious note, Art McConnell, stage manager of the Ariana Grande concert that was attacked by a suicide bomber in Manchester on May 22, talks about his experience after the bombing.

 

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

Always Have a Pen

Be Prepared - it's a song in The Lion King, the motto of the Girl Scouts, a popular safety mantra - and, it's one of the MOST IMPORTANT tenants of stage management!

We all know the benefits of thinking ahead - carefully planning out your routes, expertly packing for any surprise situation, and so on - but oftentimes, time gets in the way. A busy schedule can cause people to forget or forego even the most important necessities (phone, keys, wallet), putting them in a rough spot. That's where you, the awesome stage manager, comes in!

When you're stage managing a show, you'll have your entire kit, so you'll be able to supply most of the room with whatever they need (top requests are usually pencils, band-aids, and Advil).

BUT - when you don't have your kit, you should still strive to carry some basic, small items like a pen, a pencil, a Sharpie, a pack of wet wipes, hand sanitizer, a few travel Advil/Tylenol packets, a safety pin, a couple bobby pins, and phone charger. Then, when someone needs something, whether it be at an interview or during drinks at a bar, you'll be the person to save the day. You'll come across as reliable, forward-thinking, and considerate - all great qualities of someone that gets jobs!

So - go forth - and have a pen!