This is a Stage Manager’s Essential Tools course. Through the semester we will specialize in foundational activities and skills required of professional stage managers entering the industry. Those tools cover a wide gamut of skills stage managers in both the regional and commercial markets are required to possess. Beginning with preproduction, students will acquire the necessary knowledge to prepare for the rehearsal process, understanding what is expected of them in preproduction, and to develop the necessary organizational skills to advance to the next levels of production work in theatre.
To understand the role and responsibilities of the stage manager in the live theatre pre-production process.
This class is for Bachelor of Fine Arts majors in Theatre with an emphasis in Stage Management only. Therefore, unless otherwise instructed, attendance is mandatory. University scheduled events are exceptions to this rule (Thanksgiving break, etc.). Students in the BFA Stage Management degree should discuss with their advisor any extra-curricular activities that might impinge on the work in class in advance of committing to the activity. For extra-curricular activities that are approved students must still use the class absence form found at the following link; http://undergrad.psu.edu/aappm/E-11-class-attendance.html. Every effort should be made to discuss extra-curricular activities at the beginning of each semester so that proper preparations can be made for the missed classes.
Occasionally, students make become ill or sick for any number of reasons. In cases of illness, an email, text, or phone call to indicate you are ill and will not be in class should be made as early as possible. For extended illnesses an accompanying note from either university medical personnel or your personal MD should accompany the students return to class.
Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University’s Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.
Academic integrity includes a commitment by all members of the University community not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contact information for every Penn State campus
(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.(http://equity.psu.edu/sdr/disability-coordinator). For further information, please visit Student Disability Resources website (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
(http://equity.psu.edu/sdr/).
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: See documentation guidelines (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
(http://equity.psu.edu/sdr/guidelines). If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation.
(http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/): 814-863-0395
Counseling and Psychological Services at Commonwealth Campuses
(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.(http://senate.psu.edu/faculty/counseling-services-at-commonwealth-campuses/)
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741
The following grading policy will be in effect.
Quizzes will be graded on the number of credits divided into percentages. For example;
50 questions would break down as follows
100% to 90%=A scale
89% to 79%=B scale
78%-69%=C scale
Below 69%= D scale
Below 50%=Failed grade
Projects are graded on a 5 point scale:
5 pts. – clearly understands the process and demonstrates the ability to adapt the process to variables outside the norm. 4 pts. – understands the process but has errors in process when adapting to differing variables.
3 pts. – can return the assignment but with limited ability to adapt to variables when presented.
2 pts. – cannot recreate the process with any specificity.
1 pt. fails to recreate an acceptable process at all.
0 pts. - No submission.
5=A
4=B
3=C
2=D
1 and below = 0
Final grade for quizzes and projects is an aggregate of the above.
Attendance – 25%
Quizzes and Projects 60%
Final Project 15%
The Backstage Guide to Stage Management, Tom Kelly
The Complete Stage Manager: https://sites.google.com/site/thecompletestagemanager/