Let's Go Back Stage

[letsgobackstage]

I miss the theatre.

[thestagehand]

A bunch of quotes that remind me to keep moving, that technical theatre is what I want, and that I can do this:

“Allow yourself to be a beginner. No one starts off being excellent.”

“I am better than I was, and I will be better than I am.”

“Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn. My god, do you learn.”

“If they don’t know you personally, don’t take it personal.”

“Make it happen. Shock everyone.”

“So please ask yourself: What would I do if I weren’t afraid? Then go do it.”

“I am thankful for the difficult people in my life. They have shown me exactly who I don’t want to be.”

“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.”

“Be willing to move forward imperfectly.”

“If you care about something enough, it’s going to make you cry. But you have to use it. Use your tears. Use your pain. Use your fear. Get mad.”

“Don’t miss out on something that could be great just because it could also be difficult.”

“Learn from everyone. Follow no one. Watch for patterns. Work like hell.”

“Ignoring your passion is slow suicide. Never ignore what your heart pumps for. Mould your career around your lifestyle, not your lifestyle around your career.”

“You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.”

[letsgobackstage]

Loving that actor with good handwriting. (:

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Getting Exited to Create a New Prompt Book...

Stage Manager joy

[letsgobackstage]

Conquer Tech!

So tech week starts tomorrow and I realize a lot of people probably stressing before it all even starts. I just want to tell you that you can do this! Not just get through it but actually be amazing! My advice to you is…

1. Eat Healthily.  (I am well aware that there isn’t much time to eat, but when you do, eat right. The better you eat the more energy you have and the more energy the better the show!) 

2. Don’t stress. (Easier said than done right? Whenever your feeling stressed stop thinking about the big problems and focused on the small things. Close your eyes pay attention the how the lights hum for a while. Or look closely at the patter in the carpet. Or how all the voices in the room blend together in a gentle hum. Just give your brain a break.)

3. Smile as much as you can. (I'm not saying BE happy because I know that's hard sometimes. But If you can manage, don’t glare at people. You don’t have to make anyone happy (That takes a lot of energy) just try not to make their mood worse. It will ultimately benefit you as well.)

Thats all(:

[letsgobackstage]

Feel Free to add on!

[letsgobackstage]

Closing night for a Stage Manager...

As a stage manager closing night feels different. It's not like the actors where you just cry about everything and your fine. You still work and manage strike and do your job. But during it all, a sadness starts to grow from deep down inside you. You remember the first auditions, teaching the dances and working them over and over again. You remember being on book constantly and knowing everyone's lines, you remember when you figured out exactly when to call the music cues. You remember how hard you worked to mark everyone blocking at all times. But mostly you remember the people. In any show, but especially ones with kids, you become the parent they, your children. Just like a parent, you got frustrated when they messed up or showed up late but you also celebrated their success. You can remember that one line an actor always screwed up or forgot, and the glorious moment they got it right. That one kid who could never keep his schedule straight but was always cheerful. You remember all the inside jokes with the staff and that special bond you had with your ASM. You just feel sad knowing that that's in the past now. Yes, there are more shows but nothing with ever be exactly like this one. That hurts a bit.

[letsgobackstage]

Every good stage manager knows:That wonderful zone you get into when you feel no emotion and can get things done.

Even comfort emotional actors without getting drained.

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I feel like a chihuahua, I'm shaking and I have to pee.

My ASM after being forced to give a one-minute speech on stage before the show.

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ASM: Can you come to the lobby, please?

Stage Manager: (Stressed) I'm kinda busy right now.... 

ASM: There's pizza.

Stage Manager: Well you didn’t tell me it was THAT important! Runs faster than the speed of light* 

[letsgobackstage]

Doing a fast change on stage. Me over headset: Shoot! I don’t have the nightgown!  Can somebody please grab it?!! Headset: ........ Me: Panics* Headset: ...... Me: SOMEONE GO GET THE NIGHTGOWN! Stagehand who could be getting the nightgown: It doesn't look like anyone's moving you might want to go grab it now. Me: Bangs head on table* Curses the world for being stupid* Questions life career choices.* Gets nightgown.* 

 #Stage manager # Costumer # Stagehand #Techie #Theatre

[letsgobackstage]

Every stage manager knows... That moment after the show, when you go into the lobby with the rest of the cast and nobody says good job because your not in a costume and they assume your an audience member.

#stagemanager #Theatre #Techie

[letsgobackstage]

Conquer Tech!

So tech week starts tomorrow and I realize a lot of people probably stressing before it all even starts. I just want to tell you that you can do this! Not just get through it but actually be amazing! My advice to you is...

1. Eat Healthily.  (I am well aware that there isn’t much time to eat, but when you do, eat right. The better you eat the more energy you have and the more energy the better the show!) 

2. Don’t stress. (Easier said than done right? Whenever your feeling stressed stop thinking about the big problems and focused on the small things. Close your eyes pay attention the how the lights hum for a while. Or look closely at the patter in the carpet. Or how all the voices in the room blend together in a gentle hum. Just give your brain a break.)

3. Smile as much as you can. (I'm not saying BE happy because I know that's hard sometimes. But If you can manage, don’t glare at people. You don’t have to make anyone happy (That takes a lot of energy) just try not to make their mood worse. It will ultimately be for your own good.

Please add on(:

[letsgobackstage]

Being a stage manager is the best.

Being a stage manager is the best because you get to be the calm in the middle of chaos. Whenever there is a problem you're the first person people go to. Then people are just so grateful. Because everyone is stressed out during tech then you get to come along and fix all the little problems that make life difficult, and it's just great.