STAGE MANAGER: PRODUCTION TEAM JOB DESCRIPTION
The Stage Manager Runs the Show
by Tom McLaughlin
September 16, 2005
The Stage Manager's main goal, along with directing, is to supervise the entire production, on and off stage(back stage). The stage manager has the most important job in the production. The stage manager is responsible for calling all cues for the show during performances. The following is a list of specific items that need to be done, and a time-frame in which your task is accomplished.
BEFORE REHEARSALS BEGIN
Begun Done
� ____ ____ Read the
play.
� ____ ____Obtain a ground plan
of your theatre's stage. If measurements are not indicated,
measure all areas of the stage and wings which will be used for the
production.
� ____ ____Indicate on the
stage ground plan the location of fire extinguishers, fuse boxes,
phones.
� ____ ____Make a production
book (prompt book) in a thick 3-ring notebook with dividers.
Consult with the director to determine the format and topics for
the divided sections.
� ____ ____Meet with the
director, technical director, set designer, master carpenter, and
scenic artist to determine the physical needs of the set.
� ____ ____Accept applications
for the job of assistant stage manager (ASM) or meet with the
director and appoint a capable person to train as stage manager for
future shows. Work with the ASM in all tasks listed
below.
� ____ ____Obtain from the set
designer the ground plan of the set. Be certain you
have all the correct measurements of the set.
� ____ ____Meet with director
to determine the location of daily rehearsals. Decide on the
best way to mark the rehearsal space with the set conflict.
� ____ ____Reserve the
rehearsal space for school or community administrators.
� ____ ____Meet with the
production team (crew head). Obtain from each their
production time lines of deadline dates.
� ____ ____Together with the
director and technical director, make a master calendar for the
production team, cast, and crews. Post it in a central
location for all to check daily.
� ____ ____Meet with the
director to plan procedures for auditions.
� ____ ____Post audition
notices. Post necessary information.
DURING AUDITIONS
� ____ ____Prepare the
audition space. Set out any necessary forms.
� ____ ____Post notes about
readings, callbacks, etc.
� ____ ____Greet
auditioners. Explain procedures. Accept resumes.
� ____ ____Assist the director
during auditions.
DURING THE FIRST WEEKS OF THE REHEARSAL PERIOD
� ____ ____Mark or tape the
set configuration to the rehearsal floor.
� ____ ____Spike all set
furniture within the confines of the rehearsal set
configuration.
� ____ ____Review all rehearsal
rules with the cast.
� ____ ____Type and photocopy a
complete list of everyone connected with the production.
Phone numbers for each is a must!! Include phone numbers for
a nearby doctor, hospital, police, fire station, hot lines and
poison control.
� ____ ____Prepare the space
for the day's rehearsal.
� ____ ____Post daily rehearsal
schedule.
� ____ ____Take all blocking
notations, cue for lights, sound, and special effects.
� ____ ____Call all rehearsal
cues.
� ____ ____Supply actor lines
when the actor calls "line".
� ____ ____Strike the rehearsal
set.
� ____ ____Keep a rehearsal
log.
� ____ ____Meet with the
production team (crew heads) on a regular basis. Have each
report on the progress of their crew. Check on items
completed on their time lines.
DURING THE MID-REHEARSAL PERIOD
� ____ ____Prepare the space
for that day's rehearsal.
� ____ ____Notify the props
master, which props need to be set for each day's rehearsal.
� ____ ____ Post sign-in sheets
on boars.
� ____ ____Call all rehearsal
cues. Continue to record all cues or cue changes in you
prompt book.
� ____ ____Strike the rehearsal
set.
� ____ ____Meet with the
lighting designer and the sound designer. Obtain from them
their sound cues sheet. Review the material with them.
� ____ ____Meet with all
members of the production team to coordinate final activities for
tech week with them.
� ____ ____Meet with master
carpenter to determine the running crew for the show. Assign
responsibilities.
� ____ ____Choreograph all
scene changes.
� ____ ____Provide the
production team and cast with a schedule of activities for tech
week.
� ____ ____Using a stopwatch,
time the actual production on a complete run day. Report that
time to the director.
� ____ ____Take notes from the
director to give to the cast.
� ____ ____Finalize you prompt
book.
� ____ ____Thank and compliment
cast, crews, and director.
DURING TECHNICAL WEEK
� ____ ____Organize and
"emergency kit". It can be a large fishing tackle box. Store
in it a first-aid kit, scissors, masking tape, gloves, police and
fire phone numbers.
� ____ ____Post sign-in sheets
on board.
� ____ ____Allow time for
costumes and make-up. Announce the beginning of tech rehearsal or
dress rehearsal.
� ____ ____Have assistant stage
manager make note of all problems.
� ____ ____Listen to all
problems with courtesy and patience. Try to find creative
solutions.
� ____ ____Together with the
Assistant Stage Manager, give notes to cast and crew after
rehearsal. Divide notes into full cast notes--individual cast
notes--crew notes.
� ____ ____Thank and compliment
the cast, crews, and director.
� ____ ____With production
team, supervise striking or securing valuable parts of the set,
costumes, and other items.
� ____ ____Lock all doors and
turn off the lights.
DURING THE RUN OF THE SHOW
� ____ ____Arrive 1/2 hour
before the first cast/crew call. Turn on lights and unlock
doors.
� ____ ____With the production
team, re-set the stage and prepare for the production.
� ____ ____Post sign-in sheets
or take attendance (or delegate to assistant stage manager) of
cast, production team and required crew members necessary for the
show.
� ____ ____Keep a lookout for
alcohol, pot, and unacceptable behavior.
� ____ ____Run the cue check
with light and sound crews.
� ____ ____Consult with the
house manager before you give warnings or call curtain.
� ____ ____Call warning times
for curtain: 15 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, places,
curtain.
� ____ ____Call all cues for
the show. Confine all head-set conversation to cues, and
emergency questions and answers for the production.
� ____ ____Notify the house
manger for appropriate time for the house manager to blink the
lights or ring a bell for the end of intermission.
� ____ ____Near the end of the
run of the show, meet with the master carpenter to make a strike
list. Type, photocopy, and post copies and give copies to all
who need to attend strike.
|� ____ ____Before closing
night write a letter to the person who will have your position for
the next show. Give the person advice based on your
experience. File the letter in your 3-ring binder behind your
job description.
� ____ ____With the production
team, supervise striking or securing valuable parts of the set,
costumes, etc.
� ____ ____Lock all doors and
turn off the lights.
DURING STRIKE
� ____ ____Supervise
strike.
� ____ ____At a closing meeting
after strike, thank the production team, cast, crew members,
technical director and director.
� ____ ____Announce the
location of the cast party.
� ____ ____Using a check list,
dismiss the production team individually.
� ____ ____Turn out the lights
and lock the door.
