Shadowing Stage Managers

[BroadwayBuff4Life]

Posted: 7/6/08 at 9:30pm

Hey I'm a stage manager at the regional theater by my house and I am planning on pursuing a career in stage management after college. I've heard of people shadowing (watching professional Broadway stage managers call the show) and I just wrote letters to Wicked, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, Spring Awakening, A Chorus Line, Phantom, Hairspray, Legally Blonde, and The Little Mermaid. Has anyone ever shadowed before?

[philly03]

Posted: 7/6/08 at 10:40pm

I have not personally, although it does sound interesting.

The only people I've known who have done it ANYWHERE have bid atleast $1,000-$4,000 at the BCEFA auctions and special fundraisers for specific companies. (Some you actually get on stage?)

I've always found this interesting, I don't know her but here's the link:
http://members.aol.com/spweekend/trisha.htm

Maybe it will give you some ideas for if you do get the oppurtunity what you'd want to do!?

Best of luck with your future :)!

[Dangerous Divine]

Posted: 7/6/08 at 11:15pm

BroadwayBuff, turn on your private messages.

[BroadwayPenguin2]

Posted: 7/7/08 at 1:22am

DD - Your PM isn't working.
Updated On: 7/7/08 at 01:22 AM

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 7/7/08 at 2:11am

Updated On: 5/3/09 at 02:11 AM

[BroadwayBuff4Life]

Posted: 7/7/08 at 4:53pm

Hey I turned on my Private Messages.... but it took me forever to figure out! So what did you want to PM me about?

[BroadwayBuff4Life]

Posted: 7/7/08 at 5:31pm

Hey! Thanks alot I was extremely excited when I heard that Lion King let you shadow their SM!!!! Did they let you backstage before or after the show? And how did you contact them and how did they contact you? I am going to paste the letter I wrote to them to see what you think.... how long did it take for them to respond?

Dear Production Stage Manager,

Hello, my name is Ryan Kloss and I am a 15-year-old aspiring stage manager hoping to pursue a career after college. Within the past few years, I “caught the bug” for stage management and have been interested ever since. I will never forget seeing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast for the first time, and being more intrigued by the technical aspects of the show rather than the amazing actors onstage. Immediately following the show, I was determined to see who was responsible for “the running of the show.” Ever since, I have been interested in stage management and technical theatre.
About two years ago, I volunteered at my local community theatre. I started out as a spotlight operator and worked my way up to become a stage manager. All my free time was spent at the theatre. To this day, I have been a stage manager on the production staffs of A Christmas Carol, The Full Monty, High School Musical, Titanic the Musical, and Beauty and the Beast. I have also been involved technically with Tuesdays with Morrie, Refuge, Les Miserables, Aladdin, The Skin of Our Teeth, and The Vagina Monologues. I have also been accepted into a stage management internship at a local college this upcoming school year. In all, I have been trying my very best to gain as much experience and knowledge possible in the field.
In the nearby future, I eventually plan to join AEA as a stage manager. However, before joining the union, I would like to gain first-hand experience in a professional environment. Overall, I am writing this letter in request of a shadowing experience while the shows SM calls the show. I fully understand if this request would not be possible. I have written my return address on the envelope in the case that you would like to respond to my letter. Lastly, I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read my letter and for being such a great role model for someone like me to follow in your footsteps.



Sincerely,
Ryan Kloss