2013 NATIONAL STAGE MANAGEMENT

CONFERENCESTAGE MANAGEMENT

ASSOCIATION

Stress and Mental Healthfor Stage Managers

Dr Deborah CharnockDr Carol Chapman

British Association for Performing Arts Medicine

British Association for Performing Arts Medicine

(BAPAM)

Dr Deborah CharnockInterim Chief Executive

Overview

• Medical charity formed in the 1980s

• Funded by Musicians’ Benevolent Fund, Musicians’ Union, Equity

• Provides free health assessments, advice and referral to performing artists and allied professionals

• London clinic and Regional locations

• Assessments by volunteer/subsidy rate specialists – doctors (GPs, surgeons, rheumatologists) and physiotherapists, but also voice therapist and psychologist

Additional Services & Activities

• Helpline

• Directory of Specialists and Practitioners

• Workshops and talks on Healthy Performance Practice

• Training for health professionals

• MSc in Performing Arts Medicine at UCL

• Student Advocate Scheme

• Research & Evaluation – including bursary fund

• Online dissemination, advocacy, and networking

BAPAM Review & Improvement Plan 2013

• Clinics or other model?

• London only or Regional?

• Paid or voluntary personnel?

• Free or charged to patients?

• Sufficiently Responsive?

• Impact?

www.bapam.org.uk

Stress and how to deal with it

Dr Carol ChapmanBAPAM

What is stress?

• The result of an imbalance between our resources and the demands made on them

• Like a bank account: in the black or in the red

Resources

• Physical health• Skills• Experience• Attitudes and beliefs• Personality• Social support• Coping methods / history• Socio-cultural contextual factors

Demands

• Emotional, social, physical and financial demands of everyday life

• Adjustments to situations eg changes, losses, separations, accidents and illnesses

• Work-life balance• Attitudes and expectations about self and

others• Values and goals

External and internal sources of pressure 1

EXTERNAL:Physical environment

e.g. noise, overcrowdingJob factors

e.g. tight deadlines, little controlSocial/cultural factors

e.g. competition, economic pressures

External and internal sources of pressure 2 INTERNAL:

Physical e.g. state of health, sleep

Behavioural e.g. inefficient work patterns,

procrastinationCognitive

e.g. perfectionism, negativityEmotional

e.g. won’t get help, others’ needs put first

Signs of stress 1

Physical:

Palpitations, chest pains, indigestion, breathlessness, nausea, muscle twitches, tiredness, aches and pains, skin irritations or rashes, frequent colds/flu, clenched fists or jaw, predisposition to rashes, fainting, recurrence of illnesses, constipation or diarrhoea, menstrual change, weight loss or gain.

Signs of stress 2

Emotional:

Swings in mood, increased worrying, feeling tense, feeling anxious, feeling guilty, becoming cynical, being drained, having no enthusiasm, feelings of helplessness, lack of self-esteem, feelings nervous/apprehensive, lack of concentration, loss of confidence, withdrawal into daydreams, increased anger, aggression, feelings of panic, feelings of frustration

Signs of Stress 3

Cognitive:

Can’t cope, negative thoughts, why bother?, can’t trust anyone, so what?, what’s the point?, I used to be confident, I can’t, I think I am going mad, I am crap, I’m useless, I should be able to deal with this, I can’t see a future, I can’t take the pressure.

Signs of Stress 4

Behavioural:

Poor work, accident proneness, overeating or loss of appetite, increased dependence on drugs, increased smoking, not looking after oneself, changes in sleep patterns, increased consumption of alcohol, too busy to relax, poor time management, impaired speech, irritability, withdrawal from supportive relationships, loss of interest in sex, avoiding certain situations

Summary

• Vulnerability factors: genes, parents, family, experiences, personality/temperament

• Immediate triggers: life events and situations, changes, losses, illnesses, conflicts, traumas, threats

• Maintaining factors: relationships, behaviour, beliefs, body states, future expectations/hopes

Stress and mental illness

• If your stress levels lead to extended and extensive symptoms of distress and anxiety, periods of absence from work, inability to cope with daily living, and serious problems in your relationships, go and see your GP as you may be suffering from depression or anxiety

• Your GP may prescribe medication or refer you for psychotherapy or further medical tests

• Effective treatments are available on the NHS and specialists like BAPAM offer a range of services

Strategies for coping with stress

• EMOTION-BASED – talking about/ expressing feelings, getting support e.g. exercise, meditation

• AVOIDANCE BASED – denial, pretence, e.g. boozing, bingeing

• PROBLEM-BASED – trying to sort it out e.g. getting help

• STRESS-CARRYING – taking emotions out on others e.g. shouting, blaming

Stress Management: a recent example

• Primary appraisal: how did you see the situation?

• Secondary appraisal: how well did you think you can cope? Could you think of what to do?

• Stress Response: in your body, your feelings,• Coping response: what did you do?• What happened? Did things get better/worse?

how did you then feel?

Stress busting goals

• Identify your difficult areas• Think about the changes you would like and

set goals for change - SMART ones• Develop strategies and techniques to achieve

your goals• Review and revise your plan

Reducing Stress 1

• Decide priorities in life and work and stick to them• Set achievable goals, both at home and at work• Decide which tasks can be delegated, done later or

dropped altogether• Make appointments with yourself to do essential jobs• Make time for eating, relaxing, having fun and for just

doing nothing, • Accept that everyone makes mistakes and that’s OK• Don’t rush, you’ll be more effective and waste less time

Reducing Stress 2

• Have clear transitions and rituals between work and home

• Healthy lifestyle factors: caffeine, diet / food, booze, smoking, drugs etc

• Sleep, exercise and fitness• Praise, treat and reward self for achieving

goals• Acknowledge others’ achievements and

compliment and praise them

Reducing Stress 3

• Recognise, identify and change stress promoting thinking patterns e.g. catastrophizing, personalizing, jumping to conclusions, ‘shoulds, musts and oughts’

• Balance your self-talk: reduce self-criticism• Identify and work to your strengths• Be prepared for tricky situations: anticipate

setbacks and obstacles

Reducing Stress 4

• Communicate clearly and directly especially when relationships are problematic

• Listen carefully to people, don’t interrupt• Be able to say no, and be willing to negotiate• Try different things / approaches /experiments• Don’t blame and shame, nag • Avoid mixed messages, sarcasm, passive

aggression• Find ways of dealing with anger: yours and theirs

Stress management: summary

Identify sources of stress• Reduce the demands • increase the ability to cope• Physical strategies e.g. diet, exercise, relaxation• Behavioural strategies e.g. leaving work on time,

social diary, delegating, time management• Thinking strategies e.g. countering negative

thoughts, increasing positives• Emotional e.g. acknowledging and expressing

feelings, being more assertive

Remember• No one is perfect, not even me!• Changing is difficult but it can be done• Stress management is about taking better care

of yourself and those you work and live with• While a degree of stress is inevitable, letting it

get you down isn’t. Stress can be empowering!• As you learn to cope better with stress, your

confidence and resourcefulness will grow

2013 National Stage Management

Census Review

Andy Rowley SMA

Ken Bennett HunterConsultant

Response Percent

Response Count

6.0% 4629.9% 22835.6% 27128.5% 217

35.9%

Over 5 years 64.1%Less than 5 years

1-5 years5-15 yearsOver 15 years

How long have you been working in stage management? (since your first paid stage management job)

Answer Options

Under 1 year

How long have you been working in stage management? (since your first paid stage management job)

Under 1 year

1-5 years

5-15 years

Over 15 years

2013 CENSUS

How long have you been working as a professional stage manager Less than five years 52.00% More than five years 48.00% Total 100

Less than five years

More than five years

2011 SURVEY

Response Percent

Response Count

82.8% 61714.1% 1053.1% 23

27

Permanent employee: full time contract without end dateCasual worker: daily/weekly contractsOther (please specify)

As a working professional stage manager, do you consider that your work is usually as:

Answer Options

Freelance: contracts with start and end date

As a working professional stage manager, do you consider that your work is usually as:

Freelance: contracts withstart and end date

Permanent employee: fulltime contract without enddate

Casual worker: daily/weeklycontracts

2013 CENSUS

2011 SURVEY

I am working…. (tick one only)

On a long-term contract for one employer 12.22% For one or two employers a year 23.33% For more than two employers a year 64.44%

Total on fixed term contracts 87.77%

On a long-term contract for one

employer

For one or two employers a year

For more than two employers a

year

Response Percent

Response Count

64.5% 46611.9% 8623.5% 170

Working part time/casualNot working (if you tick this box please go to Q12)

Considering the working week including Friday 15 February 2013 were you:

Answer Options

Working full time (show contract or at least 35hrs pw)

Considering the working week including Friday 15 February 2013 were you:

Working full time (showcontract or at least 35hrs pw)

Working part time/casual

Not working (if you tick thisbox please go to Q12)

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

90.4% 481

9.4% 503.4% 18

48

Teaching/trainingN/AOther work (please specify)

Considering the working week including Friday 15 February 2013, was this work (tick all that apply):

Answer Options

Professional stage management (on a professional show or event)

Considering the working week including Friday 15 February 2013, was this work (tick all that apply):

0.0%10.0%20.0%

30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%

80.0%90.0%

100.0%

Professional stagemanagement (on a

professional show orevent)

Teaching/training N/A

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

23.1% 10825.9% 12129.6% 13816.3% 765.1% 24

69Other (please specify)

DSMSMCSMCM

If stage management work, is this as:

Answer Options

ASM

If stage management work, is this as:

ASM

DSM

SM

CSM

CM

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

27.7% 13362.0% 298

10.4% 50

39

A show based in one theatreA site specific or other show (arena, pub or room not normally a theatre)Other (please specify)

If stage management work, was this for:

Answer Options

A touring show

If stage management work, was this for:

A touring show

A show based in one theatre

A site specific or other show(arena, pub or room notnormally a theatre)

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

54.3% 25823.2% 11017.7% 844.8% 23

42

Medium scaleStudio/small scaleFringeOther (please specify)

If stage management work was this show

Answer Options

Main house/No1 tour

If stage management work was this show

Main house/No1 tour

Medium scale

Studio/small scale

Fringe

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

65.2% 361

29.4% 163

4.9% 273.8% 212.3% 13

Below UK average pay (under £12.74 per hr - average UK full time pay: source BBC)Under minimum wage (under £6.19 per hr)Unpaid (voluntary/expenses)N/A

Considering all the hours that you expect to work in the week including Friday 15 February, do you consider your work to be (tick all that apply)

Answer Options

Full paid

Considering all the hours that you expect to work in the week including Friday 15 February, do you consider your work to be

(tick all that apply)

0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%

Full paid Under minimumwage (under £6.19

per hr)

N/A

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

57.6% 31928.9% 1606.9% 386.7% 37

NOUNSUREN/A

Considering the working week including Friday 15 February, was this work on an industry recognised contact? (eg ITC/Equity, TMA/Equity, BECTU, negotiated in-house

Answer Options

YES

Considering the working week including Friday 15 February, was this work on an industry recognised contact? (eg ITC/Equity,

TMA/Equity, BECTU, negotiated in-house agreement

YES

NO

UNSURE

N/A

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

3.2% 1846.7% 26144.5% 2493.6% 202.0% 11

43-70 hours15-43 hoursUnder 15 hoursDid not work

In the working week including Friday 15 February, how many hours will you have worked

Answer Options

More than 70

In the working week including Friday 15 February, how many hours will you have worked

More than 70

43-70 hours

15-43 hours

Under 15 hours

Did not work

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

24.3% 13515.9% 886.3% 351.4% 846.5% 25824.7% 137Buy out

Overtime paymentsSpecial payments (eg performance or in costume)BonusNone of these

For the work in the week including Friday 15 February, do you expect to receive (tick all that apply)

Answer Options

Touring allowance (eg subsistence)

For the work in the week including Friday 15 February, do you expect to receive (tick all that apply)

0.0%5.0%

10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%50.0%

Touringallowance

(egsubsistence)

Overtimepayments

Specialpayments

(egperformance

or incostume)

Bonus None ofthese

Buy out

2013 CENSUS

Answer Options

Answer Options

Response Count

615Under 4 5-12 13-20 21-28 29-36 37-44 45-5224.70% 35.10% 17.10% 10.20% 6.50% 2.60% 2.60%

Considering the year 16 February 2012 - 15 February 2013, how many weeks did you spend NOT working in stage management (eg 'resting', temporary stop-gap jobs)

Under 4

5-12

13-20

21-28

29-36

37-44

45-52

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

60.7% 38837.4% 2390.9% 62.3% 15

274

NOUNSUREN/ASpecify role(s)

Thinking about stage management contracts in the past year, in any were you fulfilling more than one role? (eg Acting ASM, SM/DSM, ASM/Costume, SM/tech,

Answer Options

YES

Thinking about stage management contracts in the past year, in any were you fulfilling more than one role? (eg Acting ASM,

SM/DSM, ASM/Costume, SM/tech, SM/musician/singer) (tick all that apply)

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

YES NO UNSURE N/A

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

11.1% 5650.4% 25415.1% 761.2% 624.2% 122

NOIn some casesUNSUREN/A

If you answered YES to the previous question, do you consider that you received extra pay for the additional role(s) (tick all that apply)

Answer Options

YES

If you answered YES to the previous question, do you consider that you received extra pay for the additional role(s) (tick all that

apply)

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

YES NO In some cases UNSURE N/A

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

29.0% 17710.3% 636.7% 4154.0% 330

NOUNSUREN/A

If you are working or have worked on low pay in the past year, do you think you will have gained experience or value to your career by doing the job

Answer Options

YES

If you are working or have worked on low pay in the past year, do you think you will have gained experience or value to your career

by doing the job

YES

NO

UNSURE

N/A

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

0.9% 645.6% 2925.5% 3532.5% 20810.9% 704.5% 29No view

Too manyAbout rightThere shouldnt be any except trainingShould not be any at all

Regardless of whether you personally received low pay, what do you think about the number of LOW PAY SM jobs available

Answer Options

Too few

Regardless of whether you personally received low pay, what do you think about the number of LOW PAY SM jobs available

Too few

Too many

About right

There shouldnt be anyexcept training

Should not be any at all

No view

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

0.3% 219.1% 1223.3% 2141.9% 26830.8% 1974.7% 30No view

Too manyAbout rightThere shouldnt be any except trainingShould not be any at all

Regardless of whether you personally have received no pay, what do you think about the number of NO PAY SM opportunities available

Answer Options

Too few

Regardless of whether you personally have received no pay, what do you think about the number of NO PAY SM opportunities

available

Too few

Too many

About right

There shouldnt be anyexcept training

Should not be any at all

No view

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

22.1% 14125.5% 16314.4% 9235.8% 2292.2% 14

MAYBE but complicated to arrangeUNLIKELYNO could not be sharedUNSURE

Thinking about the job you are doing on Friday 15 February, or the last job you did, do you think your job could be shared between more than one person

Answer Options

YES could be shared

Thinking about the job you are doing on Friday 15 February, or the last job you did, do you think your job could be shared

between more than one person

YES could be shared

MAYBE but complicated toarrange

UNLIKELY

NO could not be shared

UNSURE

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

7.5% 463.2% 200.2% 189.4% 551

13

YES Permanent contract (full time without end date)In a job shareN/AOther (please specify)

Are you a parent or other carer working in stage management (tick all that apply)

Answer Options

YES Freelance (full or part time)

Are you a parent or other carer working in stage management (tick all that apply)

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

YES Freelance (fullor part time)

YES Permanentcontract (full timewithout end date)

In a job share N/A

2013 CENSUS

0 1 2 3 4 5no view or N/A

4+5 2+3

4 6 27 78 164 334 15 498 105

3 10 34 78 175 321 7 496 112

7 19 42 107 173 271 8 444 149

0 1 2 3 4 5no view or N/A

4+5 2+3

6 25 37 127 193 223 11 416 164

9 23 48 112 203 217 8 420 160

11 29 60 146 212 153 12 365 206

Answer Options

How well do/did you feel the contribution of your team to the show was/is valued by: 0=not at all 5=excellently well

Do/did you feel your position is/was respected by: 0=not respected 5=very respected

How do/did you feel about communication between you and your line manager/production company by: 0=very bad 5=very good

How well do/did you feel the contribution of your team to the show was/is valued by: 0=not at all 5=excellently well

Do/did you feel your position is/was respected by: 0=not respected 5=very respected

How do/did you feel about communication between you and your line manager/production company by: 0=very bad 5=very good

your Production Company

Thinking about the job you are doing on Friday 15 February, or the last job you did, please select your answer from the drop down tables

Answer Options

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

7.2% 4620.2% 12816.2% 10325.2% 16050.6% 321

In 2012In 20113-5 years agoNONE

When have you taken any vocational training courses (courses when you are working - not full time education) (tick all that apply)

Answer Options

In 2013

When have you taken any vocational training courses (courses when you are working - not full time education) (tick all that apply)

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

In 2013 In 2012 In 2011 3-5 years ago NONE

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

14.3% 9125.0% 15918.7% 11924.3% 15530.6% 195

YES not sure whenYES if I could get funding helpCANT AFFORD time or moneyNO

Do you plan to take any vocational training courses (tick all that apply)

Answer Options

YES 2013

Do you plan to take any vocational training courses (tick all that apply)

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

YES 2013 YES not surewhen

YES if I couldget funding help

CANT AFFORDtime or money

NO

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

21.5% 13715.9% 10164.7% 412

YES over two years agoNO

Has any company you work for offered to pay, paid for any training for you, or contributed to the cost or provided training (tick all that apply)

Answer Options

YES in the past two years

Has any company you work for offered to pay, paid for any training for you, or contributed to the cost or provided training

(tick all that apply)

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

YES in the past two years YES over two years ago NO

2013 CENSUS

Response Percent

Response Count

5.3% 3444.8% 28528.9% 18415.1% 962.8% 183.0% 19Unsure

OptimisticNeither optimistic nor pessimisticPessimisticVery Pessimistic

Are you generally optimistic about the future of stage management (thinking particularly about job availability, pay, conditions)

Answer Options

Very optimistic

Are you generally optimistic about the future of stage management (thinking particularly about job availability, pay,

conditions)

Very optimistic

Optimistic

Neither optimistic norpessimistic

Pessimistic

Very Pessimistic

Unsure

2013 CENSUS

Response Count

261

In addition, the SMA is considering a new award as part of the 2013 National Stage Management Awards, for the: 'Best Stage Managed Show of 2012'. This can have been a theatre production, a site specific show, a premiere, a revivial etc. Which show would you nominate? (Any show other than those you have worked on)

Answer Options

2013 CENSUS

Response Count

152

Is there anything else you would like to add

Answer Options

2013 CENSUS

STAGE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

www.stagemanagementassociaiton.co.uk