I am currently sitting in one of the first rehearsals for the Player's production of 'Measure for Measure', and it occurred to me that I probably haven't really talked about my involvement with the group. This isn't going to be a witty or particularly thought-provoking post, but here's a little glimpse into my life!
The Players is an amateur dramatic group run through the school I attended for my MA (how's THAT for avoiding any proper nouns?). My MA, I acted in one play and IMMEDIATELY remembered why I gave up acting. I was terrified. Luckily, that was also what my character was supposed to be, so I muddled through and then vowed never again! I assistant directed a morality play that summer which performed in the church where Shakespeare was buried, and got brought in for make-up on a show in the fall, plastering latex and eyeshadow over my friends face so as to make him deformed and hideous. It was decently successful.
The I peaced out for awhile. The problem with amateur dramatics, especially on the level on which the Players were operating at the time, is that there aren't many options besides acting and directing. Red did costumes, I didn't act, I couldn't direct everything, and so I had no place. Which is a shame, really, because I love doing this.
And then stage management came along! I forget exactly how, though I think I was approached by the director for my first SM show, and so owe him a debt, because I've really enjoyed it.
The stage manager, or stage tyrant, is basically the admin wench of any production. I come to all rehearsals, give almost no creative input, and keep track of things. ALL THE THINGS. Blocking, props, give line prompt, actors' availability, why people haven't arrived, how much time we've spent on any given thing. And then, when the show moves to performance, I run it. I give actors their call times, double check the set, welcome the audience and the run the lighting board. Basically, the buck stops with me.
It's great fun.
'Measure' is my third show as SM (I also did two shows as props mistress which was also a lot of fun) and probably my last show for the Players'. We're only on the second rehearsal, but I can tell it's going to be a great show and it has great people working on it. Sappy feelings of affection.
As I said, not a ground-breaking or particularly entertaining post, but a little sense of what I'm getting up to here in Stratford. But! Now I have to go, because the director is running over time and it's my solemn duty to use my new McDonald's toy (a buzzer in the shape of a Mario mushroom) to get him back on track.
