STAGE MANAGEMENT

Stage managers coordinate all

aspects of a theatre company to
ensure the successful delivery of the
performance. In order to do this, they
must have excellent people
management skills.

THE JOB DESCRIPTION

They manage rehearsals, actors,

technicians, props and costume fittings, and
liaise with front of house staff and the
director.

A stage manager needs to have a good

understanding of both the technical and
artistic elements of a performance so that
they can ensure it is delivered exactly to
the director's requirements.

They will be involved from the rehearsal

stage through to the live performances,
where they will be on hand to deal with any
emergencies or issues that may hinder the
show.

Trouble-shooting

Larger productions will typically have a

stage manager supported by a deputy
stage manager and one or two assistant
stage managers. However, small shows
may just have the stage manager working
on their own.

professional attitude

Assume responsibility
Keep your cool
Keep your mouth shut and ears and eyes open
Think aheadanticipate!

Personal

traits

Be considerate
Keep a sense of humor
Organize and be efficient
Punctuality and dependability

What is a good SM?

PRODUCTION

STAGE MANAGER

Assistant stage managers

Calls

cues for Board operators,

Stagehands and House staff

As

a member of Actors Equity is

employed by producer and answers to
producer, director and designers

Areas of responsibility

Flow Chart

Provide

wide margins for notes and cues

When photocopying, be aware of fair use
provisions of US Copyright law
Keep in a safe place
Page tabs for easy reference are
recommended
Develop a code which others, if needed,
can understand (IE: Warn, Go, Blocking
notations, etc.)

The Prompt Script

Charlotte Cushmans promptbook for HAMLET, 1861

As

a record of production, the promptbook

is a record not just of staging but of the
entire production

Script notations including entrances & exits

Company list with contacts
Costume, prop, light, sound plots
Pronunciation guides
Special effects
Emergency guidelines

Indices and Charts

ESU THEATRE
Standard Operating Procedures

Rehearsal procedures

Technical rehearsals

Running the show

Michelle Bosch, AEA PSM

Robbie Young

ESU GRADS ON BROADWAY

Trinity Wheeler, AEA SM

American
Websites
10

Association of Community Theatre

for Stage Management

Commandments of Stage Management

THEATRE
Stage

CRAFTS: Stage Management

Managers Association

SM Resources

Books on Stage Management