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While in the greenroom I met Mr. Luigi Borghesan, the Production Manager, and Mr. Robert Foster, the Musical Director. Both were very friendly as well. We stayed in the greenroom while Rob poured a coffee and offered me a tea, then we went to their stage management office. There I met Erica, their apprentice stage manager.The office was a really small room. Rob explained that they usually had about 3-6 people working in there at a time, which was unbelievable to me since it was a bit cramped with just him, Erica, and I.
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Rob printed off the day's schedule and posted it on a board outside the office and then we went to the rehearsal hall. Unfortunately, I chose a day where there wasn't much going on, stage management wise. There was music rehearsal with select members of the cast scheduled for certain times. They would work with Mr. Foster at the piano and they did a bit of choreography closer to when I was about to leave. So I didn't get a chance to observe stage management really "in action", but this did give me a chance to glance at how they did their lists or put together their prompt books. I found it really helpful that I was sitting at the table with Rob, Kevin, and Erica so I could observe what they were all doing. So it was like shadowing the stage management team rather than one person.
I talked to Erica a bit about being an apprentice. I discovered that at Theatre Aquarius they give their apprentice a good chunk of the show instead of mainly just giving her small jobs. She was in charge of props, so I looked at her lists that she was creating while I was there. Kevin is in charge of wardrobe so I took a look at his lists as well. Both Kevin and Rob had their own prompt books, so it was interesting to see how they differed, even if it wasn't by very much.
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Halfway through the morning Kevin offered me a tour of the theatre which I gladly accepted. During the theatre we went through the lobby, on stage, into the shops, into the booth, and even on the catwalk. I learned that Theatre Aquarius has a special relationship with their IATSE Local, which is why we were able to go in the catwalk and on stage when usually we wouldn't be allowed. I found this very interesting, and I was grateful for it because I got a full tour of the theatre. Another thing I found interesting was that their shops are all in the building, rather than in warehouses in a different location. Their only off-site location is a props storage warehouse. I like the intimacy that I felt knowing that everything was there under one roof. I think I would like that better, as a stage manager, if everything was just right there. I feel like that would be a lot easier to deal with.
Since there wasn't much going on, I didn't really see anything that I didn't care for, though I also didn't pick up many tips. One thing that I did pick up on was that Rob brought cannolis for everyone, and they all seemed to really appreciate it. It seemed like Rob and the actors and production team had a really strong, good relationship. It was a fun environment to sit in on, and I noticed that everyone seemed to be having a good time, which is crucial in work. It was a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere. It may have been because it was a slow day, but from what I saw, even if it is a busy day, I think that atmosphere would remain.
Overall I was really happy with my shadowing experience. I learned a lot and I was very grateful to the whole stage management team. Over the holidays, I might try and see if I can shadow Rob and/or Kevin during the run of a show.
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