Every stage management team is different depending on the size of the company. A typical stage management team would include the following: Stage Manager (SM), Deputy Stage Manager (DSM), Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) and the stage crew. The stage manager is the main channel of communication between all the backstage departments and the director, actors and producer. In the case of a smaller company, like WAKEUP Theatre, it is possible that the stage manager may need to undertake a variety of jobs such as, sourcing props, costume, set and sound as well as operating the sound and lighting desks. However, ‘even in a larger organization with full resources it is important for every stage management team member to have a good working knowledge of everyone else’s job in order to co-ordinate all the departments successfully by appreciating and anticipating their needs and problems’ (Hawkins, T. and Menear, P., 1988, p. 7).

The stage manager is in charge of creating the prompt script which consists of: an accurate version of the script including cuts and rewrites, clear blocking, all cues including lighting, sound, scene changes and the details of each cue and cue sheets and casts lists. Below is an example from WAKEUP Theatre prompt book .

Due to the module assessment criteria and size of the company, some of my stage management roles were assigned to the producer, such as rehearsal schedules, room bookings and the cast lists.

Below is a typical breakdown of tasks the stage manager would undertake in the final weeks leading up to the performance. I tried to keep to this schedule as much as possible however due to the arrangement of the module some tasks such as, a full technical run on day three was not feasible.

 

(Image 1. Hawkins, T. and Menear, P., 1988, pp. 9-10).

The technical rehearsal is a chance for the backstage team to prepare their role in the production and is where the stage manager role comes in full swing. The stage manager should be in charge backstage and oversee and issues that may arise within the technical run. It is also a chance for the actors to become accustomed with the lights, sound and props in the stage space. Technical runs are always a stressful time for everyone involved therefore, ‘it is essential to take regular schedules breaks even if the rehearsal is falling behind’(Hawkins, T. and Menear, P., 1988, p. 63).  During the performance the stage manager is situated in the prompt corner, an offstage area where they give cues to the technical staff through the use of cans. For 130,000 the stage manager was situated in the gallery next to the tech box.  This was due to the fact that all actors where on stage throughout the performance therefore, no prompts for actors entrances was needed. If possible, the operators may have their own scripts with cues marked in however, this is only if the performance is straightforward with very few cues or few technical crew.

Works Cited

Hawkins, T. and Meanear, P. (1988) Stage Management and Theatre Administration, Manchester: Phaidon