a guide for live theatre student stage managers in the performing arts industry
by
Prologue - stage managing can be a fun and lucrative career. While it won't make you rich it will provide you hours of entertainment, allow you ample opportunities to see how not to do things, and stretch your patience and tolerance to the very edge of sanity. Who among us would want such a job? I did. And I have done it for a very long time. This web site and this information is for the beginning stage manager. It is to help them understand the roles and responsibilities of stage managing and maybe even pursuing it as a career. May it be useful to you. If you like it please drop me a line.
THIS IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO DROP ME A LINE.
Much has been said about the difficulty of herding cats. Artists are no different. Stage managers by nature are organized, caring individuals. Good ones are selfless in their devotion to the process and merciless on those who are lazy or inept. The artistic temper requires special handling. In some cases you must bolster the process with a soft glove and kind word and others you might just have to be painfully honest.
Through trial and error you will find your voice as a stage manager. Surely the more informed you are the better chance you have of succeeding in this mine field of artistic temperament. The following pages take you systematically through the knowledge areas you will need to know to stage manage a show. Remember, everyone is a member of the team when working in live theatre. Everyone deserves respect. But that does not mean leave your brain at the door and just do what you are told. Stage managing is thinking and planning. If you can do those things well you will have a wonderful time. Enjoy the read and in the tradition of the theatre.. do not "break a leg".. but Merde!
Travis DeCastro