/2012/05/safety-first/ Theatre Information Fri, 18 Jul 2014 23:55:37 +0000 hourly 1 /2012/05/safety-first/#comment-139 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:47:43 +0000 http://showbizradio.net/?p=8278#comment-139 Theater is inherently dangerous. I agree. However, in your article- you fail to mention the person whose job it is to maintain a safe working enviroment for actors & crew. The stage manager. I have been stage managing for over a decade- both professionally and at the community theater level. I stress to my casts & my crews that safety is the 1st priority- both in rehearsal and on the stage. I walk the decks before anyone else- cast or crew- looking for potential hazards- before every rehearsal and every show. Anyone with a concern is told to see me. The start of all tech rehearsals comes with a standard note from me- anyone can stop the rehearsal if they feel unsafe. I have had members of my crews and my casts stop rehearsals for this reason. Sometimes they need more light in a backstage area, maybe more glow tape on a set piece. Never have I ever had a director or a producer push me to continue rehearsal on a stage that is unsafe. Every stage manager I know feels as I do. A cast and a crew should look to their stage manager at any time if they feel their safety is being compromised. The stage manager should then address the problem.

]]> /2012/05/safety-first/#comment-134 Thu, 17 May 2012 13:37:43 +0000 http://showbizradio.net/?p=8278#comment-134 Theater is inheritly dangerous. I so agree that if a director or anyone wants you to do something that you think is dangerous, don’t do it. As you say Ty, there will be other shows and other roles. However, I have found that it is the “little” things that present as hazardous and dangerous to ones safety. Cables, cords, nails, screws, props, set pieces, and anything and everything back stage. Everytime I direct a show I remind my cast and crew that theater is inheritly dangerous, keep your head up, be aware of everything. I remind them that rehearsal is not only for learning lines, your blocking and movements, but also to become aware of your suroundings. From dressing & green rooms to center stage, and in between. Spending time knowing your surounding can save you a bump on the head, a cut, a scrape or any one of assorted mishaps. Theater IS inheritly dangerous.

]]>