The Global Media Site for Entertainment.
Menu
We are asking stage managers around the world, in a stage manager tag, some key questions about their job. Here is David J McGraw, based out in the USA.
1. Are you a minimalist or a hoarder Stage Manager?
Minimalist when traveling, but absolutely a hoarder when stage managing.
2. What do you always have with you on stage?
Tie line in my pocket.
3. What’s in your kit?
Anything I don’t expect the producer will provide. Current favorite: a mirror angled on a rod from a dental supply company.
4. Mac or PC?
Mac. Don’t hate PCs, but I have lived in a Mac ecosystem for decades.
5. What’s in your pencil case?
Personalized pencils and sharpies. Better than business cards.
6. Favourite colour highlighter
Blue, but I use it as an anti-highlighter. I use blue on all stage directions. Once we finish the table read, it is easy for me to skip over the blued out words and only see the actual lines.
7. Favourite pencil
Pentel mechanical drafting pencil, 0.5mm, 2B lead.
8. What may be surprising that you don’t use
SM timer apps. I buy them but I inevitably just use a stopwatch out of habit.
9. Coffee or Tea
Neither? Tea if I need to be social.
10. Favourite Genre to work in
Non-musical theatre. I love starting from scratch with only the playwright’s words.
BONUS QUESTION
11. Advice for new Stage Managers
Trust your instincts. You have been hired for your judgment, not your willingness to go along.
David J. McGraw
Facebook: davidjmcgraw and SM-Sim-LLC
Twitter: @davidjmcgraw and @stagemanagersim
YouTube: SM-Sim, LLC
The Stage Manager Tag: Sophie Mackay
Want to be part of the SM Tag? Fill the form HERE.
Guest Posts are written by featured authors who are not frequent contributors to TheatreArtLife. Details of the contributor can be found within each article unless the author wishes to remain anonymous. If you would like to submit a guest article to TheatreArtLife, please visit TheatreArtLife.com/Contribute or select CONTRIBUTE in the menu.
Read Full Profile
© 2021 TheatreArtLife. All rights reserved.
Thank you so much for reading, but you have now reached your free article limit for this month.
Our contributors are currently writing more articles for you to enjoy.
To keep reading, all you have to do is become a subscriber and then you can read unlimited articles anytime.
Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals.
