Stage Managers.
There are bad ones.
There are adequate ones.
And then ther are the . . .

GREAT ONES.

For those of you who don't know or maybe don't fully appreciate the duties and function of a Stage manager, I'm going to expound- in brief- upon the subject.

A Stage Manager in theatre has all the responsibilites and typically none of the glory. They are at once Mother and Father, Firend and Mentor, Task Master and Crusader- They go to bat for their actor and crew- standing between tham and harm. They are the reason anything gets accomplished. ever. The good ones, that is. Maybe some people haven't had the experience of working with a really fine stage manager- but the positon is a masterful art and a rare skill, and not just anybody can or could do it with effectiveness.

Maybe I have this view, despite the fact that most actors have only an inkling of an idea what their stage managers go through for them and their show, because i have worked behind the scenes so much and in so very many capacities. But I am grateful to have seen- to have witnessed and learned from some truly incredible stage managers, and I have held all other stage managers to their standard.

The finest stage manager- and someone I'd like to consider a friend as well as a mentor, the finest stage manager I had ever worked with was the incomparable, unflappable Kent LeVan who I had the privelege of working with at AMDA. I got to know him and witness him in action for a few semesters while working production as work study- then I was blessed enough to have him as my SM for the drama showcase. He is efficient, he is incredibly brilliant, funny, warm, caring, intuitive and he knows how to make the trains run on time as-it-were. His advice, his support, his well chosen jokes and encouragements made all the difference in the world to me during that whole show-process, and I believe all involved could feel the effects of his skill-- even if they didn't realize or fully appreciate it for what it was.
I vowed from practically the moment I met him that I would hold all other stage managers to that impeccable standard.


They say we are shaped by those we have known- we learn what we like, and what we don't and then mold ourselves accordingly. Sorry future SMs, you have some incredibly big and stylish shoes to fill- not to mention some funky Tees.

All My Love,
BETH

Long and winding road.

So I've been in rehearsal for over a week now and things are progressing quite nicely. I must say how blessed I am to be working with such incredible people; Meagan, Katie,Steven, Scot, Zack, Nicole and most especially our incomparable stage manager Lanny -- I'm so fortunate that these people, who will in essence form my family, friends, and collegues for the next four months, are so giving, funny, intelligent and loving.

I count myself doubly blessed since this is my first professional theatre job and I couldn't have asked for a better 'cast of characters'!

Driving into Dorchester everyday has been delightful (insert groan of frustration here). I'm glad i'm saving money by living at home though, and more importantly I get to enjoy my family a little bit longer, which is a great reward after being away at AMDA so long.

The Uphams Corner rehearsal space is incredible. I mean, it's a fourth floor walk-up and is deteriorating rapidly with paint peeling, water damage, un-drinkable lead pipes, and no AC, but the bones are stunning. It is a one time masonic hall, with a huge old ballroom that had been converted to a basketball court somewhere along the way and is now a dusty, well used theatrical space. I especially love the incredibly large, gracefully arched windows and the soaring ceilings. Those masons certainly had a good thing going.









Let me say now that it is my goal to blog about this wonderful and exciting era in my life at weekly intervals throughout. I'm not making PROMISES per se, but that is my aim. You all got cjheated out of sharing the Acting School experience with me, and I don't want to let this go undocumented. Most everybody is taking their Lappies with them on the tour, so I'm seriously reconsidering that idea myself. Of course, Dad has the final say on the subject, I suppose. :)

More soon I hope-

By the way I'm right near ladder company 21 Uncle Tommy, If that helps you place my locale.

Oh, and, I felt like I was seeing a spoof about boston the other day when we all got to witness a one-of-a-kind collision outside the rehearsal hall the other day: a T bus collided with a Duck Boat! They were going about 2 miles perhour collectively, but nonetheless no fewer than 5 boston P.D. cruisers responded to the scene. I think they just didn't want to miss out seeing something so priceless.

( All photos courtesy of Katie until I get my own camera!!)








Love Always, BETH

Well well well............... . . . . . . ....

Hullo Friends and enemies! My, but it HAS been a long time hasn't it? Let us see. Since we last spoke I have managed to make it through the AMDA musical theatre boot-camp intensive conservatory training program, get myself engaged to the love of my life, and get hired for a touring theatre job. In point of fact, this is my first week- I started wednesday, and I have never been so at home so quickly!

Friday was a red letter day. It marked a pretty important first: I recieved my very first PAYCHECK as a professional actor. Of course, I'm an understudy- and also mainly a techie (sound board operator and house manager)- but it counts! I'm getting paid to participate in the greatest profession I could wish to be a part of - - and I am euphoric.

** DISCLAIMER: Some of the Euphoria may be caused by the wonderful evening I spent last night having a birthday dinner with friends and seeing SNAKES ON A PLANE with Mr. Samuel L. Jackson. **

Abouth the tour. . .


So far I am very delighted and impressed by the high level of efficiency and professionalism with which this company is run. Of course, the Chamber Theatre Production Tours are older than me, I think, (or nigh so), and thus mainly run like clockwork with shiny replacement cogs, but nevertheless I stand in awe of the process.

There certainly seems to be a great deal to learn. I ust say that I understand the style of acting that we are presenting, the style of theatre, I understand it and find it a very effective and specific sort of medium, especially with the wonderful actors in our company- but I'll admit that I'm nervous about having to actually put it into practice myself. It is so broad, so presentational, almost cartoon-like. It is really brilliant and entralling storytelling designed very cleverly and carefully to reach every seat in any large house, but we spent so much time on american realis at AMDA and so little time on characterizations, style, broad comedy, and no time at all on theatre-for-children that I a feeling self concious and somewhat glad that I haven't needed to get up there and do it thus far.

Of course I think I'll be fine, should the need arise. Musical comedy in most cases is quite colorful and broad, and I have had some great instructors- and just watching this cast is teaching me so so very much that I could never hope to learn in a class room environment. They are fun, funny, kind, enthusiastic, warm, welcoming, preofeesional yet relaxed, eager yet not over-bearing, they seek perfection and demand excellence without ego, and these are the people I'll be spending a big chunk of time with ere long- living with them as a family.

I can't tell you how truly blessed I feel to be part of such a great theatrical tradition. A TOUR. a touring company! Like in the old stories, like something out of legend. We get to pack, un pack- set up and take down- sleep on the road, get lost, fing wonderful destinations and most importantly bring our work all over this country!

It is late. It has been a momentous and an important, exhausting, exhillerating week for me. I'm going to go ahead and encourage myself to stop here, even though I have so much more to say, because I'm going to try to do what I had set up this blod to do in the first place, all that tie ago: I'm going to tryn and keep a running log of y adventures in the theatre! (yeah, yeah, don't hold you're collective breath- but some other darling company members have similar blogs, and I'm thinking that maybe their dedication and comittent to blogging will help keep me on track- so keep a keen eye my way.)

*** Next blog I'll tell you all about the rehearsal space, the cast of characters I have the honor of working with, a little bit about the tour (as far as I know at the moment), and hopefully will be providing PICTURES to aid in my marvelous storytelling. *****

With Love,
and giddiness
BETH