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 […]
In this week’s article, I am discussing ethics, values, and conflict. What does it mean to be an ethical Stage Manager, how do we lead by our values while also respecting others’ values, and what types of conflicts could be considered an ethical dilemma? Stage Managers are at the heart of every live performance production, […]
West End professionals are threatening strike action if their campaign for improvements within the industry is not addressed. The trade union Equity, which represents those in the arts and entertainment in the UK, is campaigning for a 17% pay rise among other requests. The #StandUpFor17 Campaign Equity wants to make “radical improvements, to work, rest, […]
SMA AU is a recently launched, not-for-profit organisation, working to build a supportive community for stage managers in Australia. We talk to Kate Middleton-Olliver about the launch and the future of the association.
As stage managers, the most difficult part of the job is not calling a complicated sequence of cues, the long hours, or even handling an emergency situation. Most of the time, we feel the most depleted, frustrated or overwhelmed because of difficult interactions with others.
A Valentine to Stage Managers: Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love. It makes me think of the love we stage managers have. What? Love and Stage Management, yes I say! Love is at the root of what we do. That is why I use the hashtag #smlove in many social media posts.
A question I am often asked is how challenging it is to work with different languages and different cultures in events and it is a great topic for conversation. I am very privileged to get to work globally in many countries. Fortunately, English does seem to be the common language when it comes to events.
There is much debate in many companies, entertainment or otherwise as to whether performance evaluations are a waste of time. For the theatrical and live entertainment environment, mostly constructed by short-term gigs and freelance work they are not a common occurrence. Most people know they have done a good job when they get hired for the next gig.
As a freelancer, which most all stage managers are, we do not have a process of performance review. We get a job, we do the job and if we did a good job, we get hired again.
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.
Say what you want about the content or commercial origin of the 2018 Tony Nominees (and I’m sure you have a lot to say!) but the technical and design prowess on display this year has delivered on excitement and innovation. Take a look at the the over-the-top in the best way exuberant display of design imagination that is Spongebob and the subtle, deliberate, and powerful world building in The Band’s Visit – and you can appreciate the awesome impact that designers make on Broadway….
In an industry that is evolving, competitive and demands so much of an individuals passion, creativity and attention, it can be near impossible to recognise that we lose sight of our personal needs, putting ourselves second, if not even in our top 5 priorities. Which industry am I talking about? Well, to be frank, all of them.
I recently saw a post from an acquaintance on Facebook which implied that he believed that the number of his friends in the application indicated how important he was.
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