Stage Manager

Stage Manager

Description of Position

The Stage Manager (SM) is the right hand to the Director. As a student, the SM has the most important responsibilities of the production. The SM will provide support to the directors from the very beginning of the production at auditions through the final rehearsal. The Director and SM work together to keep the rehearsals organized, on task, and productive. Working as the eyes and ears of the Director, the SM records meticulous notes on blocking, staging, cues, set needs and any other aspects of direction related to the production. The SM is responsible for communicating information from the Director to the stage crew and the actors. Once the show opens, the SM has complete control over the show, calling cues, and making sure things run as the directors intended.


List of Responsibilities

During Auditions and Before Rehearsals Begin

  1. Read the script.
  2. Create a PROMPT BOOK in a three-ringed binder. Details about the PROMPT BOOK are listed in the STAGE MANAGER FORMS & INFO section of this site.
  3. Explain audition procedures to actors and help to distribute audition information and help with the sign in process.
  4. Collect and organize audition forms.
  5. Assist directors during auditions.
  6. Help to maintain an orderly and focused audition environment.
  7. Maintain the confidentiality of the directors.


Pre-Production

  1. Set up an initial meeting with production team. A meeting with the team should also be scheduled midway through the rehearsal schedule and at the beginning and end of Tech week/ Dress Rehearsals. At meetings, record concerns or needs and communicate these to the Director and Technical Director.
  2. Review rehearsal rules and procedures with cast and crew.
  3. Create a complete list of everyone connected to the production, including student emails, parent emails and phone numbers.
  4. In conjunction with Mr. South, communicate with parents through email the requirements for cast and crew. Send out forms for bios, one-liners and advertisements.
  5. Mark student rehearsal conflicts on the attendance sheets.


During Rehearsals

  1. With the tech director, facilitate weekly PRODUCTION MEETINGS with the tech team.
  2. Take daily attendance of cast and production team on attendance sheet.
  3. Arrive at each rehearsal at least 10 minutes early to set up the rehearsal space.
  4. Maintain the PROMPT BOOK.
  5. Take all blocking and staging notes for Director, include information on set, lighting, sound and prop needs.
  6. Create and distribute a REHEARSAL REPORT to all cast and crew members after every rehearsal.
  7. Supply actors with cue lines when needed.
  8. Be an “open ear” for the cast and crew. Communicate concerns with the directors.
  9. Help keep up cast and crew moral! Have fun!


Tech Week/ Dress Rehearsal and During Production

  1. Record the time of each full run and report to the director.
  2. Help to facilitate the PAPER TECH to record all cues in the PROMPT BOOK.
  3. Call the show during the tech run, dress rehearsals, and performances.
  4. Organize the sign up for TECH WEEK clean-up responsibilities.
  5. If cast desires, organize thank you cards for the staff and volunteers.


Show Nights - overview

  1. The SM & ASMs will follow the procedure and timeline that they set using the ROUTINE SHEET.
  2. Dress professionally and carry a small flashlight.
  3. Arrive on time and open all usable spaces.
  4. Post sign in sheets. If a production member is not present ten minutes after call time, try to make contact and alert the directors of their status.
  5. Check with crew to make sure the stage is set for curtain.
  6. Collaborate with the sound crew and notify actors to the time of the meeting, sound check, and the warmup.
  7. Call warning times in dressing rooms, makeup rooms, and off stage. Receive acknowledgement.
  8. Call all cues for show from the booth on headset.
  9. Confine all headset conversations to cues, emergency situations and production questions. Limit all other talk.
  10. After an acceptable amount of time with family/ friend greetings, direct cast and crew backstage to perform their post show duties.
  11. Supervise clean up procedures. Communicate with production team to ensure all tasks have been accomplished.
  12. Turn off lights in the booth, backstage, and dressing rooms.


ROUTINE SHEET

The stage manager and assistant stage managers will work together to identify the exact responsibilities and timeline of activities for the performance day. On the ROUTINE SHEET, the SM & ASMs will identify their specific responsibilities.


Strike

  1. Take attendance of cast and crew.
  2. Help directors supervise strike.
  3. Using a checklist, make sure the production team has completed all assigned duties.
  4. Report to directors.
  5. Compliment and thank crew.