1. STAGE MANAGEMENT

2. Stage managers coordinate all aspects of a theatre company to ensure the successful delivery of the performance. In order to do this, they must have excellent people management skills.
THE JOB DESCRIPTION

3. They manage rehearsals, actors, technicians, props and costume fittings, and liaise with front of house staff and the director.

4. A stage manager needs to have a good understanding of both the technical and artistic elements of a performance so that they can ensure it is delivered exactly to the director's requirements.

5. They will be involved from the rehearsal stage through to the live performances, where they will be on hand to deal with any emergencies or issues that may hinder the show.
Trouble-shooting

6. Larger productions will typically have a stage manager supported by a deputy stage manager and one or two assistant stage managers. However, small shows may just have the stage manager working on their own.

7. What is a good SM? A professional attitude Personal traits
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
What is a good SM?

8. 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
Areas of responsibility

9. Flow Chart

11. 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.)
The Prompt Script

12. Charlotte Cushman’s promptbook for HAMLET, 1861

14. 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
Indices and Charts

15. ESU THEATRE Standard Operating Procedures
Rehearsal procedures

17. Technical rehearsals

20. Running the show

21. Michelle Bosch, AEA PSM

22. ESU GRADS ON BROADWAY
Robbie Young

23. Trinity Wheeler, AEA SM

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

25. Books on Stage Management