Routine Sheets are compiled from the props tracking sheets you did in rehearsal. It includes all the activities that are necessary for the show. For example; if you take all your scene presets from your props tracking and combine them you have your onstage and offstage presets necessary for tech. You can print those up for the props crew to run the show and include in your routine sheet so that you can account that all the work has been done correctly. Each department gets their own routine sheet from the stage managers perspective on the operations of the show. By this I mean you don't include things like batterying up the wireless microphones. That information would come from the designer or audio engineer. But you would include when the actors are scheduled to get mic'ed up and in what order. Same with electrics and wardrobe. You won't necessarily have all of their information but you will help them by integrating the running of the show into their routines.
As with the calling stage manager you routine your show from the time you arrive. Again, SM's and ASM's will have clearly defined responsibilities on arrival to the theatre but when you get closer to the performance you roll into the duties of the deck stage manager. Here is a preshow example from a school production of Rent.
-1:30
Arrival - Check in with other SM's
· Ghost Light OFF, Work Lights ON
· Check Theatre and stage doors unlocked
· Check cast and crew sign in sheets - replace as necessary
· Check last nights notes, update as necessary
· Check any cast members out for night
o update slider board
· Check consumable props for additions
· Check with Elecs on Dimmer Check. Do they need help?
-1:00
Crew Arrival
· Check Crew Signed in
· Call people not signed in and report to SM
· Check audio crew - system all set?
· Crew to work
o Stage sweep and dry mop
o Onstage pieces (NOT SET)
* 1 Table
* Stool
* Amp (plugged into outlet, cord untangled and Fender, turned on)
* Tripod
* Posters
* Acoustic Guitar, on stand
* Fender Guitar , on stand
* Roger/Mark’s Phone
o 2nd Floor Props Set
* 7 Folding chairs
* Stool
* 2 Microphones
* Pickle tub
* Christmas tree
* Squeegee
o House Right props set
* Joanne’s Cell phone
o House Left props set
* Watch case
o Bunker Props Set
* 2 Mugging bats
o Backstage Props Tables Set
o Give 3 billy clubs to costumes, receive sheet
o Studio Preset
* Maureen’s Stage
* Clarinet
* Cowbell
* Stick
* Sound Equipment
* Coat rack
o Check Cue Lights; report any problems
o Check Head Sets; report any problems
o (Band on stage for any band set or tuning issues)
· Check audience area for any issues, aisles, etc.
-40:00
Final on stage check
Final Props tables and backstage props check
Fill water jug for actors
Confer with other SM's
House lights ON
Stage Warmers ON
Work Lights OFF
Running Lights ON
Band Lights ON/OFF
Phones and Cell phones OFF or Ringers OFF
Clear crew and band from stage
Final Visual look at stage
-35:00
Give stage to calling SM
(HOUSE OPEN)
Announce House Open backstage and in dressing rooms
-30:00
(Half hour called)
Call half hour in dressing rooms and backstage
Check Actors Signed in
Report any actors not signed in to Calling SM
Collect Valuables
-15:00
o Set Onstage pieces in places
o Manuscripts
o Set tree
-10:00
(10 minutes called)
-8:00
(Five Places Called)
Announce Five
Headsets ON
Crew to Places
Vom doors shut
Band to Places
Vom Left and Right confirm crew in places
Backstage confirm crew in places
Maestro standing by
AT PLACES
Announce Places
Confirm Crew in place
Confirm band in place
Confirm actors in place SR SL Vom
Confirm actors in place Backstage
Confirm Maestro standing by
ON CUE
Maestro to stage
0:00 OVERTURE/PROLOGUE
I.1 RENT
BACKSTAGE VOM HOUSE LEFT VOM HOUSE RIGHT
L. Key and Camera ONSTAGE (Mark) Prep Stage (Lobby) Prep Coat Rack (Lobby)
Unplug Amp (CUE 20, GO)
R. RECEIVE 2 Bats Prep Clarinet (Lobby)
R. RECEIVE Benny's Cell Prep Cowbell (Lobby)
L. RECEIVE Phone Prep Stick (Lobby)
Prep Sound cart (Lobby)
Fire Extinguishers at ready Fire Extinguishers at ready
(Candle lit) (Candle lit)
I.2 YOU OKAY, HONEY?
L. RECEIVE Angels Bucket & Tree
Place Tree back into water
I.3 ONE SONG GLORY/LIGHT MY CANDLE
You will have either drawn or taken pictures of all the on and off stage presets for the show. You refer to those pictures when you are confirming that back stage and on stage are set. They are part of your routine. I keep mine in the back of my routine sheet so I can flip quickly to them and confirm that indeed that area is set for the show.
In this case there are props crews backstage and in the house left and right voms. Actors are expected to get props they can reasonably get from the props tables and return them to the props table, so you will note we have indicated that the prop table is receiving the prop as in R RECEIVE 2 Bats. Verses when the actor needs help as in the bolded item L. RECEIVE Angel's Bucket and Tree - Place tree back in water. Where you are taking the hand off from the actor and moving it to the water bucket.