STAGE MANAGEMENT

What is a good SM? A professional attitude ◦Assume responsibility ◦Keep your cool ◦Keep your mouth shut and ears and eyes open ◦Think ahead—anticipate! Personal traits ◦Be considerate ◦Keep a sense of humor ◦Organize and be efficient ◦Punctuality and dependability

Areas of responsibility PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER ◦Assistant stage managers Calls cues for Board operators, Stagehands and House staff As a member of Actor’s Equity is employed by producer and answers to producer, director and designers

Flow Chart

The Prompt Script Provide wide margins for notes and cues When photocopying, be aware of “fair use provisions” of US Copyright law Keep in a safe place Page tabs for easy reference are recommended Develop a code which others, if needed, can understand (IE: Warn, Go, Blocking notations, etc.)

Charlotte Cushman’s promptbook for HAMLET, 1861

Pirates of Penzance, 1912

Indices and Charts As a record of production, the promptbook is a record not just of staging but of the entire production ◦Script notations including entrances & exits ◦Company list with contacts ◦Costume, prop, light, sound plots ◦Pronunciation guides ◦Special effects ◦Emergency guidelines

Rehearsal procedures ESU THEATRE Standard Operating Procedures Standard Operating Procedures

Technical rehearsals

Running the show

American Association of Community Theatre Websites for Stage Management 10 Commandments of Stage Management THEATRE CRAFTS: Stage Management Stage Managers Association SM Resources

Books on Stage Management

ESU GRADS ON BROADWAY

Trinity Wheeler, AEA SM Trinity Wheeler, AEA SM