I need Help! Questions on being a stage manager?

Question

I've been in 5 shows as an actor and I offered to help with a community players show and they want me to be stage manager, I accepted the position but I have no idea what I am doing except managing the master script....experienced performers/crew expertise only

Answer 1

Important things:



Prompt Book - its a book you'll use to call the play. You'll write (in pencil!) all the light, sound, scene shifts, projection cues (if any), sfx cues, etc.. You'll also want to label french scenes (when actors enter and exit) and while they're rehersing you'll keep track of lines they drop. Some stage managers will hand out index cards with missed lines on them, others will just sit down and talk with the actors about it. (Ask the director about line notes if you have any questions) For the cues, many stage managers I know use multiple colors (one for each department, like lighting in pink, sound in blue, scene in green, etc.. ) or they use the sticky notes for arrows in different colors. You'll also have to note who wears what costumes, where which props go (and layout the props table), and you'll want to keep track of blocking.



Calling the show: During the run you'll call the show. When you do this, make sure you give stand bys and always gall the G-O as "department Go" A standby will either be like "Standby lights 5-15, scene shift 4, sound cues 7-12, and cue actors. Lights go, sound go, scene and sound go, lights go, send actors, lights and sound go, lights go" If its only a single cue just be like "standby light cue #' and then there will be a break before the cue (usually about 3-5 lines) 'Lights, go" Whenever you say a department and give the G-O, they'll go to the next cue, so be careful that they know who you're talking to.

Answer 2

A Stage Manager is the head of a production. After opening night in Actor's Equity, the director's contract ends, and the Stage Manager becomes the formal head of the production. The stage manager is one of the first people assigned to a show, and the last one to finish it. The stage managers duties start when auditions are arranged, helping with auditions. Preparing scripts, taking line notes, blocking notes, and everything else. Taking and distributing rehearsal reports after every rehearsal. If any problems arise with actors or technicians it is the SM's responsibility to deal with that and handle it in a professional, civil manner. It is your duty to coordinate crews, and figure out the actions of every crew member. You take your cue placements from the LD, Sound Designer, TD, Video Designer, etc. and you turn your show script into a calling script. During the show you make sure everyone is on time to call, check them all in, and oversee pre-show checks (Dimmer and Speaker checks). When the house manager gives control over to the stage manager, you start the show and call it. You give standby's and Go's, standby's are like "get ready" cues and "go's" are what they sound like.



That is just a very very brief idea of what an SM does. They are the hardest working people on a show, and put in more hours than any other member of a show team (more than a director!)

Answer 3

There are many books on being a good stage manager. And if you read just one you will be the greatest stage manager your community theatre has ever had. Because these books are written by professionals. And its just impossible for someone with out drama training or actual professional experience to know what a stage manager does.

Answer 4

The stage manager is the father and mother of everyone in the production from the performers to the backstage crew.

Answer 5

If you need help, the director knows exactly what he/she wants done and can tell you. Good luck and have lots of fun!! :)