Strike

As a Stage Manager, you are actually not in charge of strike. Strike usually takes place after the last show closes, usually in the evening after a matinee. You will be in charge of corralling your actors and crew members, and then Joe will take over assigning jobs and guiding people through deconstructing the set and putting things away. The scene shop crew will usually be there to help, and depending on the show, other shop crews may be there too. As the SM, Joe will probably give you a list of specific things that you need to take care of. Follow the list in order, because often one task has to be done for someone else to be able to start on the next task. At the end of strike, or when it is time for people to leave for the day, Joe will let everyone know. The department doesn't organize cast parties, so unless your cast has organized something, this will be the last time you see your cast and crew all together! There is absolutely no obligation, but SMs often write little notes of some sort for the cast and crew as a thank you/congratulations for closing. There is no obligation to do this, but some people will, so we wanted you to know!

Strike Timeline:

• The Show Ends

• Post-Show

• Actors get out of costumes, you and the actors can go greet the audience. Tell the actors when they need to be back in the theater and if they need to bring all of their belongings out of the dressing rooms.

• About 20 minutes after the show ends, everyone should congregate in the audience. Joe will hand out jobs and power tools, and everyone will get to work.

• Follow the SM list Joe provides. Your ASMs might help. When you finish, check in with Joe and ask what to do next.

• Joe will declare that you've finished for the day. Help clean up.

• Go home and sleep.

• Congrats! You finished a show! Go Celebrate!