A Stage Manager's Notes

Little notes about the struggles of SMs and their crews. Don't be afraid to submit your own notes and I'll post them. Please don't delete my link/tag line if you reblog them, those post are my original works, thanks!

[actual-cryptid]

You’ve heard of “mom voice”

Now get ready for

Stage Manager Voice

[thatlesbianthespian]

*when people talk shit on headset*

SM: Stand by shade… SM: Shade… throw.

[thoughts-of-a-stagemanager]

“Find your light is not an inspirational quote”

-My ASM

[stage-managers-are-magic]

Aw, it’s the song of my people.

[stage-managed]

Yesterday, I was put under general anesthesia for a procedure. Apparently, after it was over I sat straight up, said “What cue are we on?” and passed out for another 30 minutes before finally coming to.

This is what happens when you are working three shows at once

[sapphicambitions]

Production Meetings

[auditionwtf-blog]

Choose the blacker one.

[prrofessionalcynic]

The SM just sent this out in the rehearsal report, and I am laughing harder than I have all week.

[disposablebicycle]

Freelancing in technical theater means you’re on a lot of different email lists. People need a crew, they send out an email, you respond with your availability. Now, most people start these with things like “hey folks” or “hi everyone”. Neal is not most people.

His openers started off innocent enough.

Then, he started to push boundaries.

And as you can see, it has spiraled out of control since then.

[disposablebicycle]

[disposablebicycle]

[disposablebicycle]

[disposablebicycle]

Tag yourselves. I’m the anteater in a suit who thinks he can pass.

[disposablebicycle]

THEY JUST KEEP COMING

He’s even witty in real time.

[thingsihearintheatre-blog]

“So everyone thinks we’re hella inclusive. Which is true. We’re also major bitches”

[sawdustbear]

I also started a couple pages on basic wood shop safety! More coming soon.

And thank you so much for being into this zine series! A lot of it is information that’s just sort of in my head now, and it’s been really valuable and useful to me to be able to write it out and be assured that it IS useful to do so, and not just incredibly redundant.

[thoughts-of-a-stagemanager]

Stranger Danger

When an unfamiliar face walks through your theatre and everyone gives them the ‘Who the hell are you and why are you in my house’ look.

But then there’s the Stage Manager:

The mother hen must protect their little ducklings.

*Swiftly walks up to stranger*

“Can I help you? This theatre is closed to the public right now. This is a private rehearsal”

*Stranger taken back*

“Uh, yeah I’m Actor’s significant other. They forgot their lunch.”

*Stage Manager looks at Actor*

*Actor nods*

Stage Manager: Welcome.

[q2qcomics-deactivated20200929]

Q2Q Comics #474: Super Subtle Cue

[q2qcomics-deactivated20200929]

[techie-problems]

true headset hell is when you’re on headset with someone who puts the mic too close to their mouth.

[stagefoot]

I like to joke that being on headset with this one guy is like being on headset with a werewolf. His mic was live during the whole show (for Reasons) and he was constantly burping and scratching his stubble…

[sweeneyandhamiltontrash]

I sure as heck HOPE they are considering I’m the stage manager

[stage-managers-are-magic]

rehearsal

someone using the speaker from the sound booth: *says literally anything*

everyone on stage, looking upwards, speaking simultaneously: god?? is that you????

[stage-managers-are-magic]

Board Op Anxiety

SM: Standby Sound 22.1.

Me: Sound.

SM: Sound 22.1-

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................GO.

[stage-managers-are-magic]

You know you do theatre if this bothers you deeply

Don’t drop the mic! It’s a precious piece of audio equipment!