AEA
The current initiation fee to join Actor's Equity Association (AEA).
$1,700
Sleep, rest, eat a good meal before coming to the theatre, bring snacks, review your paperwork, take some time to make sure your space is set-up how you want it to be (either at your tech table as the SM, or backstage as the ASM).
This is the document that details all of the costume changes in a production.
Costume Change Plot
Doing this to a cue light signals the board operator to GO.
Turning the light OFF. Turning the light on is standby.
A Preview
Actors equity contracts dictate that there needs to be rest period of a least this many hours between rehearsals.
12 hours
This is a technical rehearsal with the crew and designers, but no actors that focuses on heavy technical sequences.
Dry Tech
The piece of paperwork that is a list of cues, in order, that the crew needs to complete during the run of a show. This document includes everything that happens on the stage deck from the proscenium back.
The Run Sheet or Master Shift Plot
The microphone Stage Managers use to call holds and make announcements to the whole theatre during tech is often called this.
The God Mic
Is it ever acceptable to post reviews on your public callboard?
No. You need to respect the fact that some cast members do not want to read reviews, it should be each individual's choice on whether or not they seek out reviews.
Break rules dictated by AEA, require you call a break at these intervals.
5 minute break for every 55 minutes of rehearsal OR 10 minute break for every 80 minutes (1 hour and 20 minutes) of rehearsal.
A tech where the actors are present, but you jump from lighting/sound moment to lighting/sound moment - skipping dialogue in between.
Cue to Cue
Name 3 things included on a Performance Report that are not included on a Rehearsal Report.
Run times, including intermission. Time of the performance, performance number, weather, house count (how many people were in the audience).
This member of the stage management team is responsible for working with the understudies so they are prepared to perform.
The Stage Manager
The stage manager's production or prompt book is the property of this entity.
The theatre that produced the show.
A day where you rehearse for 6 hours, utilizing the standard break schedule and one 20-minute meal break.
It is the responsibility of this stage management team member to make sure backstage runs smoothly during tech and performance, their main concern is always safety.
If a production has 2 intermissions you need this many Props Preset documents.
2
This is the document that details where props need to be placed before the show and at intermission.
Props Preset
A member of the ensemble who performs in their own role every performance but also knows the material for one or more leading roles.
An understudy
Name and describe the 4 ways to join AEA.
Be offered a contract, sister union, EMC points, Open Access.
Moving scenery – this is any scenic item that moves during the production, may or may not be automated
Automated Scenery – these are things that move via a computer controlled motorized winch/mechanical system
These are the 5 columns needed on a Run Sheet.
Time, who, action, location, cue
When writing cues in your script they have 3 parts:
GO, department (lights - LX, Sound - SQ), indentifier (letter or number for that specific cue).
Describe what it means for a Stage Manager to maintain the production after it opens, including some tools or tactics they might use to do this.
Ensure that the production is the same from performance to performance. The audience who saw the show on opening should be seeing the same show at closing. You maintain the show by giving notes, taking timings, utilizing brush-up rehearsals as needed.