How to Embrace The Courage Of Risk: Transforming Vulnerability Into Triumph
Effective stage management relies not only on technical prowess but also on strong leadership skills. In my own awareness journey and research into developing my own unique stage management style (the way I want to lead and work with others), vulnerability played a central role in shaping my approach and communication style and, ultimately, the […]
A Former Seafarer’s Journey to Mental Health: Stage Managing Myself to Sanity
Pammy writes about how she makes space for mental health breaks and ways to prioritize your mental health while working on a cruise ship. She has been working on cruise ships for over five years in a variety of positions, but most recently on Virgin Voyages for the past three years as a Production Stage […]
How to Build a Career as a Freelancer
MAKING A FREELANCE LIFE WORK FOR YOU When you were a kid, did you ever think, “I want to grow up to be a freelancer and work on a contract basis”? Probably not – does anyone? I know that was not what I thought about as a child, even though I always knew I wanted […]
Understanding and Caring for Relationships between Stage Managers and Performers
Whether you’ve been in the business for years or you’re just starting out, we can all benefit from looking at the places where conflicts may arise between stage management and performers. Generally, the relationship between the two is one of mutual support and respect. The stage manager acts as advocate, overseer and support for the […]
Phenomenology and its Relevance to Leadership
Leadership hinges upon the intricate interplay of human interactions, perceptions, and experiences. In exploring the landscape of effective leadership, the framework of phenomenology resonates with me. Phenomenology unveils the essence of consciousness and the intricate layers of how individuals perceive and engage with their realities. Within the context of leadership, phenomenology serves as a compelling […]
Working At and Leaving a Toxic Work Environment
I asked my friend Helen Moreau, who has written for Half-Hour before, to write another article, and when we were discussing what to write about, how to be true to yourself and prioritize our own well-being as a Stage Manager, came to the front of our conversations. Many times as Stage Managers, we prioritize other […]
How to Read A Stage Plot
How to read a stage plot is something one learns from almost their first day on the job in the industry. A stage plot is a day-to-day occurrence for anyone who works within music venues. These documents often depict bands and performers of various types on the stage and what they will need to make the show happen on that stage. For some bands, it is as simple as a basic drum kit set up, a D.I. (direct input) box for their keyboard, another D.I. for the guitar play, and enough microphones to cover anyone doing vocals. When you start getting into the major leagues however, stage plots can often require more. The opposite can sometimes be said for performers just starting out in the industry.
Self-Made: How I Became a Stage Manager Without a Degree
In this week’s article, I asked my good friend Pamela Villanueva Gijon (or Pammy) to share her story about how she became a successful stage manager working for one of the most cutting-edge cruise lines in the world. Pammy is from Mexico and took an alternative route to get to stage management using the skills […]
The Stage Manager Tag: Sophie Mackay
We are asking stage managers around the world, in a stage manager tag, some key questions about their job. Starting off with Sophie Mackay from Australia.
Advice For Stage Managers From Dr. Seuss
Today would be his 115th Birthday. We all are familiar with his incredible stories, characters, art, intelligence and wit. And today, I’m going to explore how Dr. Seuss applies to stage managers.