Stage Managment
We went to see “Hairspray” yesterday. It is one of those feel good musicals with everything resolved in the last 5 minutes then a spiffy dance number. One of the reasons we went was to see Harvey Firestein one more time before he left the show. He plays the Mother of the lead. The role in the movie was played by Divine. Through some contacts and good luck, we were able to go backstage after the show.
I been a stage manager for over 20 years. I haven’t practiced my craft on the boards in a while, but I have used the skills elsewhere much to the advantage of the companies that hired me. This past summer I spent some time stage managing for a showcase. I still am a member in good standing with the Actors Equity Association and have my framed MFA degree from the Yale School of Drama on my wall.
Going backstage for me was a form of time travel. A lot of habits kicked right back in. I pointed out the Stage Manager’s desk/podium to Ariel and her friend Danicah and told them what all the things did and the advancements that had been added since I last called a show. Wireless headsets seem to be in. Oh that is such a blessing. You learn how to cord dance as does your cast when you have a headset cord hanging off your belt, but there is the inevitable tripping by someone. At the end of every show I would have to unplug my headset and stretch out the cord to get out all the kinks and twists then roll the cord back up for the next show. They had 4 cameras for the calling of the show including a much improved infrared camera and monitor. Not in color yet, but I really don’t see the need.
Then there are the things that never change. Marks on the floor where pieces of the set go before they go on stage. Marks telling you where you can be seen by the audience. Glow Tape and glow paint to help people from crashing into set pieces/people/curtains. Pieces of the set hanging in the air to make room for the rest of the set pieces. And the odd sign or phrase that means something to the cast but no one else. My phrase that would be but somewhere on the set was “IDGANMRA” which stood for “I don’t give a naked mole rat’s ass....” I never put it on there. The crew did and I had to find it by the end of the show.
I enjoyed my time as a stage manager and, give the right circumstances, I would stage manage again.
I been a stage manager for over 20 years. I haven’t practiced my craft on the boards in a while, but I have used the skills elsewhere much to the advantage of the companies that hired me. This past summer I spent some time stage managing for a showcase. I still am a member in good standing with the Actors Equity Association and have my framed MFA degree from the Yale School of Drama on my wall.
Going backstage for me was a form of time travel. A lot of habits kicked right back in. I pointed out the Stage Manager’s desk/podium to Ariel and her friend Danicah and told them what all the things did and the advancements that had been added since I last called a show. Wireless headsets seem to be in. Oh that is such a blessing. You learn how to cord dance as does your cast when you have a headset cord hanging off your belt, but there is the inevitable tripping by someone. At the end of every show I would have to unplug my headset and stretch out the cord to get out all the kinks and twists then roll the cord back up for the next show. They had 4 cameras for the calling of the show including a much improved infrared camera and monitor. Not in color yet, but I really don’t see the need.
Then there are the things that never change. Marks on the floor where pieces of the set go before they go on stage. Marks telling you where you can be seen by the audience. Glow Tape and glow paint to help people from crashing into set pieces/people/curtains. Pieces of the set hanging in the air to make room for the rest of the set pieces. And the odd sign or phrase that means something to the cast but no one else. My phrase that would be but somewhere on the set was “IDGANMRA” which stood for “I don’t give a naked mole rat’s ass....” I never put it on there. The crew did and I had to find it by the end of the show.
I enjoyed my time as a stage manager and, give the right circumstances, I would stage manage again.