Production
… the gears that move the cogs that turn the wheels …
EMILY: "Does anyone ever realize life while they live it...every, every minute?"
STAGE MANAGER: "No. Saints and poets maybe...they do some.”
-Thorton Wilder’s Our Town
Return to the Handbook
Stage Manager
Position Overview
Serve as a liaison, a communicator, a peacekeeper, and an umbrella uniting all aspects of the show into one cohesive unit. Interacts closely with Director and actors. Is present at all stages of a production’s development from designer’s meetings to rehearsals to calling the cues. This position requires a large time commitment.
Below is a quick introduction to the task and role of the SM - but if you want to read the full, detailed, extended SM handbook, click here.
Duties and Responsibilities
DESIGN/PRODUCTION MEETINGS:
The gathering of the various artists who will create the world around the actors.
You will help move meetings along and take copious notes to share with the production team.
AUDITIONS:
The decision making process of selecting which actor should play with role.
You will help facilitate the process and mechanics of auditions; making copies, keeping time, and answering questions.
REHEARSALS:
The process of creating characters and people, scenes and moments.
You will help bring organization to rehearsals; creating schedules, sending reminders, documenting what was accomplished, and helping communicate with the people outside of rehearsals.
TECH WEEK:
The work of weaving tech and design into the action and the actors.
You will be the captain of the ship, the general in the lead. You’ll learn to command your technicians with humility and grace and serve the show and the show’s artists.
PERFORMANCES:
The sharing of weeks of work with people who love you and love the theatre.
You will be in charge of steering the ship, making decisions in the moment that handle the unpredictable nature of live performances but still maintains the artistry of the experience.
Calendar and Deadlines
7 weeks before opening - Assist with auditions, casting, contact lists, and rehearsal schedules. Help organize and run efficient design meetings.
6-2 weeks before opening - Help rehearsals run smoothly, assisting the director, actors, and designers as needed.
2 weeks before opening - Make sure the run crew, board operators, and any other production staff not yet involved in the process are ready to integrate during tech week.
Tuesday - Make sure you’ve received cue lists from designers well in advance so that you can place cues into your prompt book.
Thursday - Paper Tech. During the meeting, help facilitate a conversation between director, designers, and yourself to ensure everyone understands the artistically intended flow of the production.
Friday - 10 / 12 Part 1
Saturday - 10 / 12 Part 2
Monday - Dress Rehearsal
Tuesday - Dress Rehearsal
Wednesday - Preview
Performances - Maintain the artistry of the show alongside your fellow technicians and performers.
Strike - Tidy booth and green room, take SM inventory and give list to theatre secretary to restock.
After - Ensure any follow up tasks (i.e. returning musical scores to MTI) are completed.
Tips and Tricks
Anything that can be accomplished during rehearsal, do it there!
Be aware that holding this position does not automatically provide you with authority.
The actors and technicians are your co-workers and friends.
If you serve them well, they will make your job a lot easier.Ask the office administrator to help do things such as make copies, prepare lists, get food, post things, make schedules...the list is endless.
Assistant Stage Manager
Position Overview
Assist the Stage Manager in whatever tasks are needed during meetings, rehearsals, and performances.
Duties and Responsibilities
To understand the tasks that are expected of the ASM, it’s best to read the extended handbook for the SM. Otherwise, here are a few things to note …
A strong SM/ASM relationship will identify one another’s strengths and weaknesses, tasks and needs - helping contrast and complement one another. For example - if the SM keeps track of blocking, it would be helpful for you to keep track of scenic / props / costumes entrances and exits.
Typically, the SM will call the show from the booth and the ASM will be orchestrating the movement backstage.
Know, learn, and observe the work of the SM as we hope that next season you’ll apply to be a Stagemanager.
Run Crew
Position Overview
Also known as the Backstage Crew, or the Runners, this crew is in charge of the organized movement of scenic items, props, and costumes backstage.
Duties and Responsibilities
Typical Backstage Duties
Set Movement: A common task will be to move scenic elements on and off stage. This can happen during a scene, in transitions, or during intermission. No matter when, remember that your movements are part of the performance - and should be clean and purposeful.
Quick Changes: Sometimes there will be a wardrobe crew, just for helping cast members who need to change costumes quickly. Or sometimes that will be a task of the run crew. This could mean holding a suit coat. Or it could mean setting up costumes in a quick change booth before an actor comes off stage.
Props Organization: There will typically be props tables at all backstage entrances and exits. These tables should have a large sheet of butcher paper laid out and taped down. On this paper you can use Sharpie to outline and label where each prop should live.
Run Crew “Costumes” - Starting at dress rehearsals, we’ll ask you to dress in “blacks” - meaning a black shirt and pants. If you don’t have black clothes you can wear, please let your costume designer know and we’ll help get some for you.
Headset Etiquette - To help prepare you for your tasks - here’s how we’ll ask everyone to behave on headset.
On / Off Button: Every headset has the ability to mute, talk momentarily, or be always on. This can be accomplished by single pressing the talk button for momentary or double tapping it for always on mode. For the most part only the SM needs to be always on. Anyone in earshot of the audience should never speak - these people can use the “call” button (and a red light will flash) to respond to standbys or questions.
Remember to always mute your headset when taking it off or putting it on.
Remember to always mute your headset when loudly speaking to the cast.
Remember to always mute your headset when coughing or sneezing.Going On/Off Headset: It’s important that everyone stay on headset when in production and announce when they’re leaving or have returned. This is simply communicated by saying something like, “Sarah going off headset”. Then you, as the SM can say, “Thank you Sarah”. When she returns she can say, “Sarah is back on headset”. This is also a great way to check at the top of the show or check out at the end.
Calendar and Deadlines
7 - 3 weeks before opening - Typically we’ll ask you to help out on another crew until tech rehearsals begin.
2 weeks before opening - The SM will connect with you; giving you the tech week schedule and inviting you to attend a full run through so that you can watch the show from the audience point of view.
Tuesday / Thursday - We’ll probably ask you to help organize backstage for the beginning of Tech Week.
Friday - 10 / 12 Part 1
Saturday - 10 / 12 Part 2
Monday - Dress Rehearsal
Tuesday - Dress Rehearsal
Wednesday - Preview
Performances - Maintain the artistry of the show alongside your fellow technicians and performers.
Strike - Clean the backstage areas, putting away prop tables, quick change booths, headsets, etc.