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.
