Blog 11: Lesson 1 Reflection

1. What are you most proud of in your lesson, and why?

I am honestly most proud that I made time. I was very afraid that I wouldn't make time and I would fail completely.

2. What assessment would you give yourself on your lesson? Explain why you earned that grade using evidence from the component contract.

I think that I would have earned an AE on this assignment because I thought about what I was going to say and how it would flow together. I think I got a fair assessment because I didn't do this blog until it was too late.

3. If you could go back, what would you change about your lesson?  How can you use that knowledge to give a better Lesson 2?

If I could go back, I would try to speak slower and use a better visual for my presentation. Maybe something like a timeline. I think that since the next lesson is longer, I will be able to take my time and breathe between sentences.

Blog 10 - Interview 2 Reflection

This is the link to my interview clip: https://soundcloud.com/jenelle-huck/interview-2
1. Please explain how you are spending your mentorship time (Is it at a workplace or somewhere else?  Are you shadowing?  Are you able to do tasks that are meaningfully related to the topic?  If so, what?  Are there other people who are experts in the location?  Etc...)

I spent my mentorship hours being an assistant stage manager in a professional show with SCSF. It was a very hands on experience that gave me a lot of responsibility and a sense of what it is like in the profession. I, with the other two assistants, was responsible for the pre-show preparations,  making sure actors costumes were right before they go on stage, and the post- show clean up and costume check ins. I consider the three people I worked close with to be my mentors and they were all very knowledgable in my topic.

2.  How did you find your mentor?  How did you convince this person to help you?

I emailed the chair of Cal Poly Pomona's theatre department who referred me to Linda, the producer of SCSF. Linda then hired me as an assistant stage manager where I was basically doing whatever the stage manager Joyce told me to do. Joyce was my mentor and I watched what she did and how she handled situations.

3. How would you rate your comfort level with your mentor at this point in your relationship?  How does this relate to the time you've spent so far at mentorship/with this person?

I am very comfortable with my mentor! I have been fortunate enough to have such a nice mentor. Even though I am not currently working with her, Joyce told me to text her if I ever need anything. I was able to get comfortable with her because I spent so many hours of rehearsals with her and the other ASMs. They were all super down to earth and eager for me to get the most out of my mentorship. I pretty much had three awesome mentors at once.

4. What went well in this interview?  Why do you think so?  What do you still need to improve?  How do you know?  How will you go about it?

This interview went extremely well! I met her at the restaurant she works at, and we talked for about an hour. First she answered all of my questions, then she kept thinking of ways to help me find research and ideas for my presentation. Joyce is incredible. I need to improve on follow up questions and coming up with better questions to ask in the first place. I know that because there were a few awkward pauses. I will fix this by being more creative with the questions I ask, and thinking about what follow up questions I can ask before hand.

Blog 9 - Advisory Prep 3

1. State whether or not you currently have a mentor, and what the status of your interview is with that person (I have completed the interview, I have scheduled the interview, I have not scheduled the interview, etc).
I dont have a mentor currently, but I also dont need one because I have all of my hours done. I am doing the interview with my previous mentor next week.
 
2. At this point, your research is probably guiding your studies toward more specific areas within your topic.  Name the area or two you find most promising and explain your reasons.  
A few areas i am looking into are the tools a sm needs and generally how to be a good stage manager.
 
3. What kinds of sources do you think will help you in the next month to gain more research depth?  Where will you go to get them?
 I think more interviews would prove the most helpful. I should just go to Cal Poly and talk to someone there.
 
4. Write down a possible EQ.  Please don't worry about wording other than ensuring that it provides the option for multiple correct answers.  At this point, the senior team is most interested in understanding your thought process.
What tools does a Stage manager need to be effective at what they do? 

Hogan sent this to me and it made me laugh so hard because its true.

 

Blog 8: Independent Component 1 Proposal

This is what being a stage manager feels like a lot of the time. Yet, I love it none the less.

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

I plan to spend more than 30 hours on my independent component by running every rehearsal for Midsummer/Jersey by Ken Ludwig. Not only will I be running the rehearsals, but I will also be running the technical aspect and overseeing the set and all other aspects of the show (except the acting, I can't act). This will culminate to more than 30 hours, guaranteed.

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

I will be showing the calendar that Hogan and I have created for the rehearsals along with a log of how long it takes me to make the charts and other necessary aspects of the show.

3.  Explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

I believe there is no better way to learn something than to just dive in and do it. I have been stage managing for the past 2 years at iPoly, but now that this is my independent component, Hogan is relying on me a lot more than previous years.

4.  Update your Senior Project Hours log.

I really do need to do this...

This is me by opening night of the show.

Last day of mentorship

This is not a required post for the senior project, but I felt the need to post about it because it applies to my project.

Tonight was the last night of "Macbeth" with the Southern California Shakespeare Festival. It was extremely bitter sweet to say goodbye to the set, costumes and props as the cast and crew took everything down and put it all away. 

As the first professional show I have been assistant stage manager for, I feel an extreme attachment to this show. I have had so many good memories with the cast and crew and will never forget my experience with this company. They have helped my passion for theatre grow immensely and I cannot thank each one of the cast and crew enough for that. The memories we have made will forever be in my heart and I hope to keep in contact with many of my new friends and hopefully work with some in the future. 

I recommend that everyone experiences a show by SCSF one day because everyone works very hard and gives each show their best.   

Please excuse the man in his underwear, he decided to be in his costume for the "Drunken Porter"

Blog 7 - Second Interview Preparation

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?  If their workplace does not reflect their expertise, what makes them an expert? 

2.  What five questions will you ask them about their background?

1. When was your interest in theatre started?

2. How did you get into stage management?

3. When did you know stage management was the career path for you?

4. What schooling are you going for to be a stage manager?

5. Do you think that you will be stage managing for the rest of your life?

Blog 6 - Advisory Prep

Me when everything is happy and good during the show.

1. What has worked well for you concerning senior project this year?  What has made it a positive experience for you? 

Something that has worked well for me this year concerning the senior project was that  i really opened myself up to new experiences with new people. I have met so many new people through my mentorship and I am really happy that I have met these people because they have given me so much advice about stage managing. The people I work with have made this a very positive experience because they have been super kind, supportive and helpful. 

2. What are you finding difficult concerning senior project?  How can you adapt to make that portion work better for you?  How might the senior team help?

I think that keeping up with all of the logs and wb pretty difficult. I should stop putting off the things I need to keep up with. I should also start actually working 4th block like I say I'm going to. The senior team really can't do too much to help my procrastination problem... unfortunately ...

Me when everything is going wrong during the show.