Fw: Encyclopedia and Debate

[Karen Fleury]

I can think of several arguements to suggest that the stage manager is
asmuch an artist as the rest of a company; since I am pressed for time, I
willn keep my response short. (and blunt)

On average, when one thinks of the many duties of a stage manager, they
think of their people skills first; the holding of hands, the calming of
nerves, etc.  What people tend to forget, in general, is the artistic form
that stage management expresses themselves in best:  calling the show.  When
this is done well, it goes unnoticed.  The timing of a show often hinges on
the flow of cues in addition to the action on stage.  When the calling is
done poorly, it is disastorous.  Everyone is aware of mistakes; not just the
seasoned professional that had "comps" that night. Bad calling can ruin what
would otherwise be a really good production.

The other point I would like to make is that the show is handed over to the
stage manager once the show opens.  The rehearsal period is not just spent
taking blocking and making coffee.  Stage managers pay attention to what the
director and the company are creating.  It is their responsibility to take
over once the director completes his or her contract on opening night.  The
stage manager then takes on the task of giving notes to the company and
keeping the integrity of the show as close to the director's vision as
possible.  They therefore have to be aware of what that vision is and how to
go about keeping performers and technicians on par. (tactfully)

Thanks for asking for input.

Karen Fleury
Equity Stage Manager
Calgary

>
>
>>Hello Everyone
>>
>>I want to launch a debate, here. I am being asked to include stage
managers
>>in the encyclopedia. I, for one, would never underestimate the stage
>>manager in the creation of a production (I have cried on the shoulder of
>>many a one). I wonder, though, if they should be represented,
individually,
>>on the site. Though some are legitimate artists (and know considerably
more
>>about theatre than the directors they work with), I wonder if they are
not,
>>as a group, something else. Do I open this door wide? And will I then
>>include technicians? Front of house managers (who, not to be silly, are
>>often responsible for a house's success)? I'm at a loss...what do you all
>>think.
>>
>>I'm also trying to track down the Deagon family (as I lost an e-mail
>>address) for further information on Arthur Deagon.
>>
>>Good news, I have been allowed to invade and use liberally (and free of
>>charge) a huge archive of historical photos which should be up on the site
>>within the next month or so.
>>
>>And we wait for news of a Canada Council Millienium Grant this week or
>next.
>>
>>The site has now grown to over 1030 profiles with some 450 illustrations
>>and photos.
>>
>>Now on to the additions for the week (November 2):
>>
>>Profiles Added:
>>New West Theatre (Company)
>>Guinand, Louise (Designer)
>>Fisk, Michelle (Actor)
>>David Young (Playwright)
>>Robitaille, Pierrette (Actor)
>>
>>Profiles Updated:
>>Sources; Phillips, R.; Citadel Theatre; "Broue"; Dorval, A.; LaHaye, D.;
>>Picard, L.; Messier, M.; Meunier, C.; Dumont, M.; National Arts Centre;
>>Mykytiuk, L.; Belfry Theatre; Baker, B.; Ledoux, P.; "Fire"; Richmond,
>>Brian; Lebeau, S.; Yaroshevkaya, K.; Cyr, R.; "A toi, pour toujours, ta
>>Marie-Lou"; Palomino, M.; British Columbia; "Les Belles-soeurs"; de la
>>Sablonniere, B.; "Les fees ont soif/The Fairies Are Thirsty"; Boucher, D.;
>>Grimaldi, J.; Guimond, O.; Legault, E.; "Tit-Coq"; joual; Leblanc, N.;
>>Mercure, M.; Tremblay, C.; Clement, S.; Feminist Theatre; Bastien, J.;
>>Magny, M.
>>
>>Cheers all.
>>
>>Gaetan Charlebois (editor, Encyclopedia of Canadian Theatre on the WWW)
>>http://www.canadiantheatre.com
>>
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