The Job of the Stage Manager PDF Version

7/31/2019 The Job of the Stage Manager PDF Version

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Clayesmore Drama Dept. The Job of the Stage Manager

A Varied Role

The Stage Managers role is one of the most varied and interesting within the theatre

and a good Stage Manager is always central to the success of a production. It demands

really good organisational skills as well as a keen eye for detail and a strong creative

streak. In fact, its such an important job that there is usually a stage management team,

rather than just one person.

During Rehearsals

It is enormously helpful if a member of the stage management team is at every re-

hearsal. The actors and director will make lots of decisions but they wont always havetime to write them down. The Stage Manager should make a note of these decisions in

the prompt copy. If it is decided that an actor should enter stage left, then the Stage

Manager notes it in the prompt copy. If they decide they need a certain prop, the Stage

Manager makes a note. When they come to rehearse a scene again and the actors have

forgotten what was decided, the Stage Manager steps in!

Props

Almost every show needs props - the objects used by the actors. The Stage Manager

should keep a very detailed list of what is needed. You can make an initial list by dis-cussing the play with the director - but bear in mind that the list will keep changing

(usually growing) as the rehearsal process goes on. The Stage Manager is also responsi-

ble for collecting all the props. (Dont worry about this - everyone connected with the

Drama Dept will help with this.) The earlier you can collect the props, the better. They

can all be stored in the Tool Room in the theatre. Of course, some props cant be bought

and they have to be made - this can often be really good fun and it is where you get a

chance to be really creative.

The Prompt Copy

The Prompt Copy is the Bible of the show. Well give you a folder to use for each show.

It should contain all your lists - props, contact details, call sheets (a call sheet is the

schedule of rehearsals for each week - the Director will work this out but you should

make sure everyone has a copy). More importantly, it contains a copy of the script with

all the moves and all the technical cues marked on. The Stage Manager uses it to run

the show.

Running the Show

The Stage Manager is in complete control of the production during performances. In

the professional theatre, the director will only watch the first couple of shows and thenthey might not see it again for several weeks. Sitting in the control room, the Stage

Manager gives all the cues to the other members of the technical team - the lighting op-

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Clayesmore Drama Dept

erator, sound operator etc - telling them when to change the lights or to play a soundeffect. This sounds really scary but you have everything you need in the prompt copy.

All you have to do is follow the script as the actors perform it and, when they get to the

appropriate line, you say, Go! to the lighting or sound operator. The only problem oc-

curs if the actors get their lines wrong!

It should look something like this:

LXQ means Lighting Cue - Each cue has its own number. The lighting operator will

have programmed the lighting desk. As the cue (the word with the box around it) ap-

proaches, you say, LXQ1...Go. Your job is to time it so that you say Go as the actor

says the cue word. As you say, Go, the lighting operator presses the Go button. Its

really important to say, LXQ1...Go in just that format. Not only is it the way it is done

in all professional theatre but it just removes confusion and the lighting operator is inno doubt exactly when to press his button.

The Job of the Stage Manager


Actors Moves

Truffaldino, Beatrice,

Brighella enter SR

Walks SL towards inn.

Brig takes Beatrice toone side

Technical Cues

SB LXQ1

LXQ 1

SB SFXQ2

SFXQ 2


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Clayesmore Drama Dept

SBLXQ 1 means Stand by LXQ1 - (you would say Stand by in full) and this is just awarning to check the lighting operator is ready. Its not quite as critical when you give

this cue so you tend not to circle or box a cue word for a stand by.

SFXQ means Sound Cue. Again, you would say, SFXQ 2...Go. The sound operator

has a list of what each cue means. When you say Go, he presses the right sound effect

on the CD player or computer. He has a list by the sound desk - and you have a copy in

your prompt copy.

SB SFXQ is a sound cue stand by and it works just like a LXQ.

You will also need to addASM Qs. ASM means Assistant Stage Manager and he or she

is usually in the wings. They have a list of cues and when you tell them to Go, they do

whatever needs doing - it might be that they are needed to give a burst of smoke or

change a piece of scenery.

Its not essential but it is also very helpful if you add Actor cues to the prompt copy. You

have a microphone which communicates directly with the dressing rooms. You can tell

the actors when they need to be making their way to the wings ready for their entrance.

It is the actors responsibility to be on time but you can help them.

It is a bit scary giving the cues at first but youll soon get used to it and, the better youknow the show, the easier it is. With a good prompt copy, it is possible to run a show

without ever having seen it - but its not easy and it is a definite advantage to know the

show well.

Show Report

After each show, you note down the running time together with anything you noticed

didnt work quite perfectly. Then it can be put right for the next show.

The Job of the Stage Manager


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