Stage Manager
INFORMATION FOR STAGE MANAGERS
This document seems intimidating,
but at least 11 members of BCT have carried
out these responsibilities and survived.
Six of those gathered for discussion and created this list.
April 30, 2000
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
You will serve two
primary duties in most productions staged by BCT: - Assistant Stage
Director and BackStage Manager. There are a large number of possible
functions under each of these headings
The exact duties and functions of the Stage Manager on each production
will depend upon the particular needs of that specific production, and
upon the inclinations of the Stage Director and the Production Manager.
As soon as you accept the position, you must confer with these folk to
establish the appropriate division of responsibilities. You will be
working with excitable, volatile, nervous people. You will serve them
best by not becoming emotionally involved in their passions. Your task
is to expedite the rehearsal process, so that the Director and the cast
will have the most possible amount of time and energy to work on the
artistic qualities of the show. Stage management is a thankless job. If
you are a person who enjoys order and clarity, and does not require a
lot of emotional support to know you are doing a good job, then YOU can
stage manage.
BIGGEST PROBLEMS FACED BY PREVIOUS STAGE
MANAGERS
Defining clear relationships between the Stage Director and yourself.
Actors and technical staff who arrive late for rehearsals and
performances.
Actors who do not understand that YOU are in charge during
performances.
Clear expectations with people who are providing you with things you
need.
Checking and re-checking with everyone.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS
Read the script ASAP
Take initiative, do NOT assume anything, ask questions, clarify.
Clarify the expectations by the Stage Director about your
responsibilities, when you'll be needed, etc.
Quickly make a "calling list" of all people connected with the show,
both work and home numbers.
Don't assume that something will be done. Be aware, check and re-check.
"Cover your backside". Don't leave yourself exposed to the results of
failures-to-perform by those with whom you are working.
Never think: "It can't happen here".
You are in charge of all backstage situations: quietness, toilet
breaks, snacking, visits by friends of actors, leaving the building on
"quick errands", deportment in the "Green Room" (Frostbite Falls, BSU's
actual Green Room, BSU dressing rooms, etc).
Ensure that you be informed in advance about any invasive
interruptions: photographers, interpreters, balloon drops, etc. There
are three levels of organizing the communication between yourself and
the "booth" during a performance. Be sure that all concerned are clear
about how THIS show is going to be handled. (1) You call every cue to
the booth, a few beats ahead of time; (2) The booth operator follows a
marked script, and you only make calls about unusual changes to normal
conditions; (3) No electronic communication between you and the
booth,the operator works from the marked script and their own good
judgment.
JOB DUTIES
As Assistant Director:
* Make notes of blocking, needed stage furniture, unusual entrances,
costume & prop requirements
* Set-up the rehearsal space ahead of time so the Director and cast can
get to work quickly.
* Follow script during rehearsals; - prompt actors with lines when
appropriate.
* Assume functions of Stage Director in their absence.
* Assist Stage Director at auditions
As Backstage Manager:
-
* Plan for technical / physical needs of the production with Stage
Director and Production Manager.
* Relieve the Director of all the mechanics of production, so they can
concentrate on the artistic.
* Plan sound and light cues with Stage Director and technical staff
* Plan and organize traffic patterns which actors and tech staff will
use during performances
* Plan and direct scene changes
* Ensure that actors and tech staff have all materials and supplies
needed at all times
* Suggest, plan, and lead warming-up exercises (perhaps a bit of Zen?)
before each performance
* Inform cast of expectations for behavior during performances, deal
with violators.
* Assume control of the production as of opening night. (The Director's
job is done!)
* Ensure that all actors and tech staff are present for duty at
appropriate time before each performance
* Supervise pre-show preparation of the stage (and house lighting)
before each performance
* Coordinate with House Manager re: closing the house, seating
latecomers, length of intermission
* Supervise all technical staff during performances
* Call sound and lighting cues to both booth and backstage during the
performance
* As performances unfold, if something on stage is not working out
well; confer with appropriate actors
* Handle all personnel issues during the run of performances
GENERAL ADVICE
* Take an active approach (rather than see yourself as a "flunky").
* Be flexible (which is different from being "wishy-washy")
* Your notes about blocking, costumes, props need to be taken right
from the first stage rehearsals. It is your responsibility to actually
DO something about each note.
Organizing Technical Support
* Every light or sound cue needs to be numbered. Agree with your
operators as to how far ahead (ie: 15 seconds; - 30seconds; - i minute)
they wish to be warned.
* During "Tech Week" give notes to the cast and crew about things which
are within your area of responsibility. But remember that the Director
is still in charge of artistic matters. Avoid trying to infringe on
their territory.
* It is necessary to have a "concierge" to supervise and safe-guard the
dressing rooms as the actors come and go. We have had theft of
possessions.
* If there are more than one or two children (age 13 and less) there
must be a "day-care" person, in addition to the concierge, both for
reasons of safety and of behavior.
* Be sure actors know that you are the "back-up" for props, costumes,
and pre-set problems.
* Work-out logistics (location of items, routes of movement) in advance
with the Director.
* Coordinate with the tech staff working with props, costumes, to
assure that backstage plans "work".
* Post lists and plans of scene changes, who does what and when.
* Schedule one or more rehearsals of scene changes, if necessary.
* Backstage area must be neat, free of unnecessary clutter, and QUIET.
* Backstage area must be in almost total darkness. "Night-lights"
covered with blue plastic (allow air circulation) can be strategically
placed. BCT has a supply of these, & several extension cords. Ask
Dick L or Dwight L where they are stored. Use lots of duct tape to
avoid entangling.
* Protect wall switches against being switched "on" at times they
should remain dark. (duct tape)
* Use "glow-tape" liberally on platforms, stairs, edges of flats, to
guide actors in the dark. Ask Dick to get it. Be sure someone is
acually re-charging it with flashlites before every show.
* A "sign-in" sheet should include every actor and "techie" for every
technical rehearsal and every performance. It should be located where
people can use it conveniently as they arrive. NO-ONE does a sign-in
for another person. A phone of some sort must be conveniently available
near the sign-in sheet so you can quickly call missing persons.
Connecting with the "Front of the House"
* Coordinate with House Manager so you are both agreed as to how you
will communicate that you are both prepared to 'open the house" and
then to "close the house". Also be sure of plans for intermission, and
for opening the doors after curtain call.
* Consult with the Director, and then with the House Manager, about the
policy for seating late-comers.
Ready to "Open"
-
* Assure that the stage is swept and neat.
Also that all items which must be pre-set are in place.
* Remind actors about when it is OK (and when it is not OK) to make a mad dash for a toilet break.
* Assure that actors have checked their props on the prop tables.
* Arrange for a quick "costume check" for fastenings, rips or tears, missing hats, etc.
* Inspect for un-wanted wrist-watches, inappropriate eyeglasses, etc.
* Give cast a ten-minute warning.
* Assure that every actor is in the correct location for every 'entrance'.
* Some sort of preliminary exercises are very useful to the cast. Relaxing, bonding, massage, physical stretch and bend, or even Zen: - plus vocal warm-ups for musical shows. See to it that someone is responsible for this function.
Armchair Psychiatry
-
* You need to be a "calming" person. A
hyperactive Stage Manager causes unrest among the cast.
* You are a "Den Mother", an amateur psychiatrist..
* Make sure that people doing complex task, or preparing themselves for their entrance, are not needlessly disrupted.
* Avoid shouting, arrange situations where a calm voice will be effective. Do not try to play the role of Henry V as he stands on top of a brass cannon exhorting his troops on St. Crispin's Day.
* Maintain common courtesy, avoid chewing-out people publicly. Watch-out about crushing someones self-esteem. Use TACT.
* A good Stage Manager does not have personality conflicts with anyone.
* DON'T GOSSIP !! We are a small and tightly knit community. We don't need internal conflicts.
* Do not lose YOUR temper with any member of the cast or crew. Know your own panic response.