#stagemanagers

[techies-in-black]

Happy Stage Managers Day! It is time to recognize all the hard work our Stage Managers do. We should always thank them but today it is like a production meeting.... mandatory. Thank you to all the Stage Managers out there! Have a great day!

[broadwaysymposium]

7 Ways Stage Managers Can Deal With Stress!

It’s National Stress Awareness Day (yes that’s an actual thing). We are already aware that as a stage manager, stress comes with the job.  Everyone in the creative & production process is relying on you to know and communicate everyone’s needs and notes.  You are the person responsible for everything, but have control over nothing. Read on for 7 ways we stage managers can deal with this stress and at the end there is a special pic made just for you.

Are the design deadlines met? Are the actors on time? Did the props arrive for rehearsal? Did someone forget their fitting? Does the costume not fit? Is the lighting designer not moving fast enough? Do the actors not know their lines? Did the sound person miss a pick up? Etc, etc, etc...

And what do you do with all that stress and pressure? Stay up all night typing notes and sending reminder emails, pulling your hair out, yelling at the PAs, being grumpy throughout tech, skipping meals to update paperwork?

A better you is a better stage manager for the show, so let’s remind ourselves of some simple ways we can de-stress with an eye towards how these tips can work for stage managers.

1. Sleep: Easy to say, but not so easy to do, right? After rehearsals, it’s clean up, type up reports and respond to the million emails.  You have to stop at some point.  AEA rules say that stage managers needs at least an eight hour rest period.  That is time spent NOT working.  If you need to, set an away message on your email and go to sleep! You’ll be worse off the next day or the next, if you deprive yourself of needed rest.  You can also try to take a nap on a break.  I’ve actually spent time napping under my desk in the stage management office when a few winks were needed during really long days.

2. Exercise: You don’t need to spend hours at the gym, who has time for that, but taking the stairs instead of the elevator works or a quick jog around the theatre will do wonders to elevate your mood and give you an endorphin boost. You can do a few push ups in the wings (I’ve built whole workouts into my backstage track before) or plie’s at the call desk.  Resistance bands can be used for strengthening too and a good stretch is also helpful.  Just bending down and touching your toes for a minute between calling cues is beneficial. A few minutes well spent will help you remain calm and focused.  Taking care of your body is taking care of your mind.

3. Relax: Taking a long slow breath and gently releasing it is the simplest and best thing you can sometimes do.  Oxygen is needed for your brain and this minute “pause” is a simple technique that can help you reset and be able to tackle a new or challenging task.  However, if you like meditation or yoga, those things are wonderful, but they take time.  Can you do a couple “sun salutations” first thing in the morning, great! But if not, even a few minutes of chilling on the couch listening to your favorite song, can provide a needed respite.  For me personally, I like a hot bath, so I try to take one when especially stressed.  I can even read, listen to the news or chat on the phone at the same time if needed. A stage manager knows how to multitask!

4. Be social: We are social beings, so it’s okay to go out and have a drink, grab lunch with a friend or talk on the phone with a buddy.  It has the added bonus of giving you someone to talk about your stresses and sometimes, just getting them out helps.  Caution: don’t fall down the rabbit hole of facebook for hours or letting that one drink grow into multiples. Give yourself a designated time and stick to it.  That leads us right into....

5. Time management: There are only so many hours in the day, you can’t and won’t be able to get to everything.  Therefore, it’s about prioritizing.  What is most important, do that first.  Now what is most important, do that second, etc, etc... You will get to it all, but in time.  In the end, it’s better to do all these things properly, than have to do them all again.  The trick here is to keep expectations realistic, for you and the people who need all these tasks done. Let people know that “I’ll get to it as soon as I can.” And ask “When exactly does this task have to be completed?” Those are the things that will help you manage your time and other’s expectations of them.

6. Write it down:  But you already do that... you’re a stage manager! But not just taking notes and keeping lists, which is very important. I’m talking about writing down your feelings and stresses on you.  Like talking to a good friend, this gets those feelings out in a healthy, productive way.  Just two minutes before bed writing down your personal thoughts, can clear your head for a more restful sleep and less stressed you.

7. Ask for help:  As a stage manager, learning to delegate is a huge asset.  You can’t and shouldn’t have to do it all.  Use your assistants, let them help you, they want to! Really!  I’ve been an ASM and PSM on Broadway, so from both sides of that relationship it’s important to distribute tasks effectively.  It makes you both more productive, effective and less stressed.  You are a team, so be a team!  If there is still too much to do, maybe you need another team member.  Talk to the producers about getting another temporary ASM or PA. There are plenty to stage managers who need work.  If there is no money for that, still reach out.  We are a community and a day or a few hours is not too much to ask of a colleague to help during tech or help out taping a floor, etc.... Perhaps an intern would be good or someone who wants to break into the business.  Bartering may also work... “I’ll help you put your spikes down for your show, if you help me on mine, ok?”  But don’t be afraid to reach out an sound the alarm bell when needed.

In the end, stress is a killer, literally and figuratively.  It’s affects your mind and body making you less productive and hurting you and your show.

Find the ways that help you de-stress and implement them into your rehearsal, tech and run of show process and ultimately into your lives.  A relaxed stage manager is cool, calm, clear headed, can handle any challenge and inspires the same in their company.

This pic below is a reminder you can print out or pin to help you remember these techniques as well.

Good luck to you all and have a stress free #NationalStressAwarenessDay

[stagemanagerssaygo]

For months, he helped run testing sites. In January, he transitioned to the "Star Wars"-like title of "Incident Commander" of vaccination sites.....On a vaccination site or on "Cabaret," the canceled show he was supposed to do last summer, the basics are the same: knowing the goal and helping all the collaborators reach it together.

[theatretechcore]

Happy International Stage Management Day!

[housetohalf]

#Stagemanagers don't #sweat they #glisten #preshowselfie #theateratmonmouth #awomanofnoimportance

[demandsyoucantmeet]

Nathan Lane thanking the stage managers was the best thing to happen on the Tonys.

[withloveyourstagemanager]

The before and after of a #stagemanagers #graduationcap! Congratulations Seton Hill Graduates! #AndGoCue3000

[globetoglobehamlet]

Round up from Stage Managers

What a crazy journey it’s already turning out to be. We started in London in Middle Temple Hall. Then did a couple of shows at The Globe. Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Bremen, Germany. Wittenberg, Germany. Tromso, Norway. Ystad, Sweden. Turku, Finland. Moscow, Russia. And now we are here in Tallinn, Estonia, which is beautiful. And our hosts are lovely. It's our first outdoor venue also. No rain so far!

During this first 3 weeks we’ve travelled by boat, taxi, van, plane, train, coach, tram and bicycle. All with a load of trunks, ski bags, a drum case, and some musical instruments over our shoulders. See the photo below...this is all of our props, costumes, set and instruments. The trunks are bearing up well with baggage handlers, although a pang of guilt hits us every time we hear the dull thud of the trunks going into the plane's hold, complete with ‘heavy item’ tag. We are off to our second venue in Estonia tomorrow, Tartu, which is a couple of hours' drive away from Tallinn. Back in a theatre. Got to go! It’s nearly the end of the show...

[broadwaysymposium]

The word is out! Stage Managers Unite!

This Spring the Broadway Stage Management Symposium is back.

Check out the Broadway.com article:

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway-Stage-Management-Symposium-Sets-2016-Return-20160202

If you are interested in stage management on any level (studying it, practicing it, teaching it, pursuing it as a career or already working in it) this is the place to be. There is no other gathering of so many of Broadway’s best stage managers joining together to share their wealth of experience, knowledge and insights.  

Meet them, as well as your fellow stage managers from around the country. Make connections, build your network and gain valuable insights. Our business is so personal and nothing beats being in the same place with the people who share your love of theatre and stage management and have achieved the highest measure of success.

Don’t miss out on the Early Bird Special... good until the end of February. There are also group rates, student rates and even an easy payment plan. Go to the website and register today to secure you place.  Take the next giant step forward.

Don’t miss out on the Early Bird Special... good until the end of February. There are also group rates, student rates and even an easy payment plan.

Go to the website and register today to secure you place.  Take the next giant step forward.

www.broadwaysymposium.com

[demandsyoucantmeet]

i squealed every time stage management got thanked tonight

[freezecrowd]

Happy Stage Management Day to all the stage managers, plus theatre majors in the crowd and on FreezeCrowd.com today! We appreciate you! What is a cool fact about stage management? ❤️🎭❄️

[broadwaysymposium]

Ok, I"ll play...Introducing @BernieSanders the #stagemanager! Go ahead and caption this photo!

[watching-crazy-science-fiction]

Such a fun day working @thewing Gala this evening. Loved this flower display!! #smlife #smlove #broadway #stagemanagers (at Cipriani) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoInCmXhL7Y/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=k5m8065v1ruv

[l8rhader]

Two very different statements but both valid nonetheless. #cah #cardsagainsthumanity #broadway #theatre #theater #stagemanagers

[shmoolix]

Back in #ottawa staying with the lovley Donna Williams who gave me my own little office. Working japanese style on the floor with coffee table. #stagemanagers #dinnertheatre (at Ottawa, Ontario)