House manager vs. stage manager

[Spikesgirl]

FoH was trying to get people reseated due to a SNAFU in tikceting. The entire show was sold out, so some comps were being asked (nicely) to give up their seats - won't bore you with details. Anyhow, suddenly the house goes to back and the show starts with Maria (Sound of Mucus) waltzing down the aisle and into a patron. Paying customers ended up sitting in the lobby until intermission before the problem could be fix.

Okay, my question - should the house have been held by the SM for this or was she right starting the show while patrons were still struggling with screwed up seating arrangements? I thought the house should have been held until the actress could safely move down the aisle and the patrons were safely down.

What would you do?

Charlie

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Spikesgirl

FoH was trying to get people reseated due to a SNAFU in tikceting. The entire show was sold out, so some comps were being asked (nicely) to give up their seats - won't bore you with details. Anyhow, suddenly the house goes to back and the show starts with Maria (Sound of Mucus) waltzing down the aisle and into a patron. Paying customers ended up sitting in the lobby until intermission before the problem could be fix.
Okay, my question - should the house have been held by the SM for this or was she right starting the show while patrons were still struggling with screwed up seating arrangements? I thought the house should have been held until the actress could safely move down the aisle and the patrons were safely down.
What would you do?
Charlie

In all of the professional theatres I've worked in the House Manager turns over the house to the SM. So, a few minutes before curtain the HM will phone/radio the SM to give an estimate ("we look good for 8PM" or "There's still a line at Will Call, I think we'll need two more minutes"). Then, the HM will phone/radio again when he/she feels it's appropriate (AND SAFE) to begin the show ("The house is your's.)

Also, whenever actors enter through the audience, someone with a headset (from the SM staff) is with them. This person is there to contact the SM about potential problems, and to report that those performers are (or are not) ready for their entrances.

In short, the SM should not start the show without a "go" from the HM.

--Sean

[Van]

Yeah, an SM and HM Have to work together. I understand SM's getting snippy when they've held for 10-20 minutes, but if you have actors entering through the audience you have to wait for the house to give you an all clear. That was a bad mistake on the SM's part, or perhaps a miscommunication ?

[zac850]

Originally Posted by Sean

In all of the professional theatres I've worked in the House Manager turns over the house to the SM. So, a few minutes before curtain the HM will phone/radio the SM to give an estimate ("we look good for 8PM" or "There's still a line at Will Call, I think we'll need two more minutes"). Then, the HM will phone/radio again when he/she feels it's appropriate (AND SAFE) to begin the show ("The house is your's.)
Also, whenever actors enter through the audience, someone with a headset (from the SM staff) is with them. This person is there to contact the SM about potential problems, and to report that those performers are (or are not) ready for their entrances.
In short, the SM should not start the show without a "go" from the HM.
--Sean

Seconded.

Also, what if when the house lights turned off someone was up walking around and fell and broke their leg. The House Manager gives the theater to the Stage Manager before the show. The stage manager may help the house manager deal with the snafu to speed up the solution, but its wrong to start the show without the House Managers go.

[gafftaper]

Agreed.

Sounds like a pushy SM who doesn't want to work any more.

[Spikesgirl]

See, that was sort of my take on it as well, but since I've worked both positions, I thought the view might be a be askewed. Since we call from the booth, (mere steps from the lobby), I always let the HM know when we're prepared to run, wait for the lobby to clear and then start the show. Rarely have we started with folks still standing and never when an actor is doing a house entrance.

SM is not always the easiest to work with, but neither is the House manager, so I could easily see a power struggle between the two.

Thanks for reverifying what I felt was common sense.

Charlie

[mike1023]

When problems come up, whether it be ticketing/house problems or technical difficulties before a show. There needs to be clear communication between all departments in the theatre. A plan should already be in place in case a situation ever arises.

Sounds like this issue could have been easily resolved, if the HM and SM communicated.

[avkid]

(rant on)
I take issue with the title of this thread.
Versus?
That is absolutely the wrong way for a team to be thinking.
(rant off)

[Spikesgirl]

Then, AV, you've never stood between our house manager and the stage manager when both are deterimined to get their own way. It is definitely a verses situation.


Charlie

[sobenson]

Every night, I call the HM 5 minutes before curtain to see what the lobby is like and if we will be ready to. I either get the all clear or a request to hold for 5 min. I relay that info to the company manager who allows it or not. Most touring companies have it in the rider what is acceptable for a hold, and/or late seating policy. Some of the touring Broadways will not allow late seating for the first 30 min of the show.