Stage Directions

I am now officially an old SM.  Not because I have been doing this job for a quarter century.  But because today I found myself on the losing side of history.  All because of a phone call.

One of the sessions I was most excited about at USITT was the very last Saturday session, the Stage Management Round Table. It was facilitated by Michele Kay and boasted a panel of awesome stage managers. They led us in a discussion about Vulnerability, Trust, Communication, Cooperation, Creativity, and Collaboration. We shared thoughts and stories about how each of these things are important and how they build upon one another like the layers of a cake to create a great process.

It has been over a week since USITT and I am still processing the experience! I met some incredible people, saw some inspiring technology, and attended some stellar sessions. It was a wonderfully overwhelming experience and I can’t wait for next year! (St. Louis March 8-11)  

If the stage manager is the communication hub of a production, do we need our own switchboard operator?

As I prepare to attend my first ever USITT Conference I am overwhelmed by all of the sessions available - fortunately there is a session for that.

This blog has focused on software and tools to help stage managers do their jobs.  We are also starting to explore workshops and other training resources.  If you know of a program that should be in the spotlight, post it in the comments below.  Our first SM training feature is Broadway Basics.

If you were hoping this was a blog about the Lion King you will be sorely disappointed.

While in rehearsal recently, the ever-dreaded emergency tone came over the loud speakers and a voice calmly told us to evacuate the building being sure to use the stairs and not the elevator.

I’ve noticed a trend lately that has made me think; recently the “spotlight” has begun to shine backstage.

Having recently embarked on my own MFA journey I find myself asking this question, a lot. When I was applying and even after I was accepted in to my program I constantly had to answer the similar question, “Why grad school?” I made the decision to go back to school for myriad reasons, some personal and some generic; after helping facilitate the National Stage Manager Survey (http://www.smsurvey.info) I started to wonder if there were trends in the benefits of going back to school.

A video quickly going viral (more than 850,000 views and 10,000 shares on Facebook as of Wednesday Feb. 3) is the Associate Director of Grease: Live! calling the camera shots for the song “Greased Lightning.” Carrie Havel does an amazing job calling the shots and I can’t wait to see a side-by-side view of the show and her call.  But let’s break down the call…