Traditional and new methods for running a show from first rehearsal to last performance kindle edition by thomas a. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible. Trish causey is a resident blogger at theatreface and has written a series on the role of the stage manager. Stage manager for incorruptible, and a staged reading of red scare on sunset iowa summer rep, assistant stage manager for an empty plater at the cafe du grand boeuf and the mystery of irma vep iowa summer rep.
Stage management are there to prevent anything from adversely affecting the production. Thispacketgivesageneraloverviewofthedutiesrequiredofastagemanagertobeusedasareference guideforthosewishingto. Under no circumstances shall anyone other than the stage manager or assistant stage manager be on book calling the cues of a production. He or she must have a working knowledge of how the various technical aspects of the theater work scenery, props, costumes, lights and sound, be part director, part playwright, part designer and part producer, and be prepared to act as confidant, counselor and confessor to everyone else in the company. For example, ch is a circle is charles, vn in a circle is vinnie, and so on. The stage manager functions in opposition to the traditional attempt of drama to convince the audience that it is a part of the action onstage. If youve ever wished that you could look into the brain of a hiring manager to find out what you need to do to get hired, this ebook is for you. The stage manager is wilders unique, multipurpose invention a part which he himself played on the stage many times. A clearinghouse for information, the stage manager is responsible for organizing rehearsals and running performances. Stage manager is responsible to handle and perform various activities of stage management as well as to maintain overall quality of the theater production. Since is it a dream or a goal, people work hard in order to achieve it. Now, this may look a bit intimidating, but i will show you how i write down blocking. Stage managers also use this master script it contains to prompt actors if they forget lines during rehearsal.
Stage manager definition is one who supervises the physical aspects of a stage production, assists the director during rehearsals, and is in charge of the stage during a performance. Compare three samples of the following types of forms used by stage managers. The stage managers toolkit provides a comprehensive account of the role of the stage manager for live theatre with a focus on both written and verbal communication best practices. Stage manager on broadway, the second in command after the production stage manager. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues. Choose styles that clearly indicate specific advantages or disadvantages of each document. Keep their eyes and ears open and know when to share their. A stage manager job description requires strong organizational skills, the willingness to work long hours during rehearsals, and the ability to multitask. This is a great structure to work with when youre training your student stage managers and this is what i.
Stage manager cover letter sample cover letter templates. The stage manager is to have read the play at least twice prior to the meeting and be knowledgeable about the play and its basic needs. I made my broadway debut in 20 as a production assistant for mtcs broadway production of the snow geese, and in. For a refresher on the characteristics of a good stage manager, take a look at the book stage management by lawrence stern. Traditional and new methods for running a show from first rehearsal to last performance kelly, thomas a. Ka describes the story as the coming of age of a young man and a young woman through their encounters with love, conflict and the duality of ka, the fire that can unite or separate, destroy or illuminate. The stage manager and assistant stage managers are prohibited from handling contracts, having riders signed or initialed, or any other function which normally comes under the duties of the general manager or company manager. Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal process and coordinating communications among various production teams and personnel. The stage manager s toolkit by laurie kincman one of the most important roles in any theatrical production is that of the stage manager. With the stage management staff, theres often a production stage manager, an assistant stage manager, and production assistants. Ill give you stepbystep help through every stage of your job search, explaining at each step what a hiring manager is thinking and.
How to make a prompt book stage manager, theatre stage. Blocking is keeping track of the actors movements across the stage. As a theatrical stage manager for panther sky productions for the past nine years, i have gained considerable experience in theatrical arts in all areas of stage production. Jun 24, 2011 its created as notes for the stage manager or, in dire instances, a substitute to follow, and not as a resource for teaching the choreography to a dancer thats someone elses job. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible youtube. Sm log book a place to write down notes throughout the production process. The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. Aug 17, 2015 student stage managers are team players. Sample stage management paperwork this is page was created as reference material for the usitt 2011 charlotte conference session sm paper trail rides again.
Its created as notes for the stage manager or, in dire instances, a substitute to follow, and not as a resource for teaching the choreography to a dancer thats someone elses job. I work with actors, background set crew, and suppliers on a daily basis. Stage management handbook v4 west virginia university. The bible in the field of stage management, stage management is a practical manual on how to stage manage in all theater environments. Samples should show how the same information can be organized in three distinct ways. The sm is in charge of ensuring all related parties in a stage production be it theater or concert are communicating effectively, on the same page, and able to work together to. A stage manager works for a professional or university based theater company, and is responsible for assisting the director in overseeing the logistics of a theater performance. Stage management bios theatre arts the university of iowa. The stage manager is the renaissance man of the theater.
The general manager and active production chair will enter all approved changes. Below are some paperwork templates that i have created, all are designed to be customizable. Tell me in what capacity your education has prepared you for a. Traditional and new methods for running a show from first rehearsal to last performance. See more ideas about teaching theatre, stage and theatre stage. Crafting a stage manager cover letter that catches the attention of hiring managers is paramount to getting the job and livecareer is here to help you stand out from the competition. The back stage guide to stage management, 3rd edition. Outline the change you purpose and the reason for this proposal. His eight points explain perfectly what makes a good stage manager the best. The audition cards have a place for actors to put any scheduling conflicts as well as. It must be prepared in advance of the first rehearsal, so the stage manager is ready to go right away. If you would like to propose a revision to this handbook, please email the production manager.
I do not claim to be an expert in stage management. The stage manager book summaries, test preparation. The stage manager can take this home with all pertinent information to the production regarding schedules, conflicts, future fitting and meeting requests and todos, and leave the blockingcall scripts at the theatre. Notes made by the owner of the prompt book who could be a stage manager, an actor or any other theatrical professional to give further guidance about how a scene should be performed, how actors should deliver lines, where they should be positioned etc. I mostly work on events, concerts, and galas around nyc, and have an extensive resume in offbroadway musicals and plays, readings, and festivals. Stage manager guide the stage manager is one of the most important jobs at events and festivals. The stage manager is to meet with the director prior to the first production meeting, auditions or the first readthrough in order to establish an early positive relationship. And if the task is not executed with certain major ingredients, the keystone will be weak and the arch will fall anyway. Like music, therell be points in the script when you turn a lot of pages quickly, and spots when you sit on the same page for a while. Stage management is an art that is learned through extended study, mentoring, and experience.
This is a great structure to work with when youre training your student stage managers and this is what i try to do in my program. Tell me in what capacity your education has prepared you for a career as a stage manager. My first show as a stage manager was x description of first show. The member of stage management often the dsm cueing the show is said to be on the book. Internationally, he was the stage manager for q theatre productions, india from 20012005. It is agreed that it is the duty of the stage manager to assemble and maintain the prompt script for the actual technical and artistic operation of the production. Actors also do more than cross from one side of the stage to the other. Follow these steps and your stage manager will be ready to go in no time. Assistant stage manager members of the stage management team who may have specific responsibilities for some aspect of production, such as crew, or serve as overall assistants, doing what the stage manager assigns.
Check out why its good to keep these for future jobs and why its such an important tool for a show. Ka is a show by cirque du soleil at the mgm grand in las vegas, nevada. Stage manager definition of stage manager by merriamwebster. The role of the stage manager in any theatrical production is like the keystone of an arch. Feb 29, 2012 you will have to scour the internets for samples and templates and examples until you find or amalgamate a system that works for you. Stage managers do make coffee is an article written by carissa dollar that is often used as a text book for beginning stage managers and is free online. Its been requested, so i go through what i have in one of my prompt books for a show.
The first thing you must know is left and right, down and up. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to. The duties performed then are similar to some of the duties listed on your job posting x duties on job posting similar to what you performed. A clearinghouse for information, the stage manager is responsible for. Queen elinor seated on a stool, on the kings r right. Like music, therell be points in the script when you turn a lot of pages quickly, and. The book outlines the duties of the stage manager and assistant stage manager throughout a production, discussing not only what to do but why. The stage manager and assistant stage managers are prohibited from participating in the ordering of food for the. There are plenty of opportunities to land a stage manager position but it wont just be handed to you. Accept responsibility keep their cool keep their eyes and ears open and know when to share their opinions. In regards to paperwork, most stage managers borrow other peoples templates to start, and then customize as preferences develop. How to prepare a stage managers prompt book theatrefolk.
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