Stage managers have several key responsibilities and tasks to perform in each phase of a production, including:
- scheduling and running rehearsals
- communicating the director's wishes to designers and crafts people
- coordinating the work of the stage crew
- calling cues and possibly actors' entrances during performance
- overseeing the entire show each time it is performed
What is the role of a stage manager in theatre?
They provide indispensable practical and organizational support to directors, performers, designers, and technical crew throughout the production and rehearsal process, and supervise onstage and backstage activity during performances to make sure the show goes off without a hitch. What does a Stage Manager do?
What does an assistant stage manager (ASM) do?
An Assistant Stage Manager (or ASM) is much more than simply an assistant to the other stage management roles (although this is part of their duties). ASMs are responsible for sourcing or creating props for the production in line with the designer’s plans and looking after them during a show. Duties can include:
Why do stage managers rehearse?
Rehearsal is also a time when stage managers need to take detailed notes on the production. This will let them know what their cues are for any lighting and sound effects. It will give them detailed information on everyone's movements, both on and off the stage, so that they can coordinate their crew efficiently during the show.
What is a deputy stage manager?
A Deputy Stage Managers (or DSM) is more than just a stand-in if the TSM or CSM is absent. The DSM is responsible for ‘calling’ the performance (co-ordinating the various technical team members to perform cued actions at the correct times, and activating lighting and sound cues for the show).
What are the stage manager duties?
Stage managers do essentially whatever is needed of them. They direct the technical crew, liaise between theatre departments, coordinate production...
What is the role of the stage manager?
The stage manager of a production has a similar level of authority to the director, but they work with the technical crew instead of the actors. St...
What is the difference between stage manager and director?
A director works primarily with the actors and is the overall authority on a production. A stage manager works primarily with the technical crew an...
What skills do you need to be a stage manager?
Stage managers do not usually need formal training, but they do need theatre experience. They also need to work well under pressure, have a good un...
How do stage managers work?
In conjunction with the director, the stage manager determines the scheduling of all rehearsals and makes sure everyone involved is notified of rehearsal times, meetings, costume/wig fittings and coaching sessions. During the rehearsal phase, stage managers also: 1 mark out the dimensions of the set on the floor of the rehearsal hall 2 make sure rehearsal props and furnishings are available for the actors 3 attend all rehearsals 4 notify the designers and crafts people of changes made in rehearsal
Why is the stage manager important?
Here the director and the stage manager work side by side, with the stage manager recording the director's decisions about blocking and notes for the actors, keeping track of logistical and scheduling details and communicating what goes on in rehearsals to the rest of the team. This enables the director to concentrate his or her full attention on directing.
What do stage managers do during rehearsal?
During the rehearsal phase, stage managers also: mark out the dimensions of the set on the floor of the rehearsal hall. make sure rehearsal props and furnishings are available for the actors. attend all rehearsals. notify the designers and crafts people of changes made in rehearsal.
What are the responsibilities of a stage manager?
Stage managers have several key responsibilities and tasks to perform in each phase of a production, including: scheduling and running rehearsals. communicating the director's wishes to designers and crafts people. coordinating the work of the stage crew. calling cues and possibly actors' entrances during performance.
Why do stage managers need an ASM?
Often needed in larger productions, when the stage manager is out in the house, the ASM is often stationed just offstage to facilitate communication between the stage manager, crew and actors, as well as ensuring safety. The ASM often helps with complex set changes, quick changes offstage, or preparing the stage for performance.
Who draws up the furniture and prop plans for a stage set?
Furniture and prop plans for complicated sets are drawn up by the stage manager and technical designer to show exactly where the furniture and props are to be positioned on stage at the beginning of each scene and sometimes in the wings.
What Does a Stage Manager Do During the Show?
During a show, stage managers call lighting and sound cues and help manage any problems that may arise. They need to think quickly and give clear instructions to those around them. Stage managers make sure that the technical aspects of a show go off without a hitch, which is a serious challenge and part of what makes live theatre so difficult to create and so compelling to watch.
Why do stage managers need to take notes?
This will let them know what their cues are for any lighting and sound effects. It will give them detailed information on everyone's movements, both on and off the stage, so that they can coordinate their crew efficiently during the show. Notes also allow stage managers to communicate effectively with directors, actors, and crew members to make productions as polished and smooth as possible. Stage managers need to keep track of any notes that directors give to crew or actors so that nothing gets forgotten.
What is a stage manager?
What is a stage manager? A stage manager is an individual with an extremely important role in theatrical productions, managing all of the technical elements and departments. Most stage manager definitions will note that while directors work primarily with actors, stage managers work primarily with the backstage crew. Any piece of theatre with a crew, from community black box theatre to Broadway plays, must have a stage manager to help keep the production running smoothly. The stage manager has an immense responsibility because they are in charge of all the technical aspects of a play.
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What is the role of a stage manager in a production?
A stage manager works primarily with the technical crew and helps make the director's vision a reality.
Do stage managers need training?
Stage managers do not usually need formal training, but they do need theatre experience. They also need to work well under pressure, have a good understanding of theatre conventions, know how to operate lighting and sound equipment, and be able to manage many responsibilities.
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What is a Technical Stage Manager?
A Technical Stage Manager (TSM – sometimes known simply as ‘Stage Manager’ or ‘SM’) differs from a CSM because their responsibilities focus more around one specific area of the production: the technical aspects. They are responsible for everything that happens on stage and offstage during a production, and for maintenance outside of performance times . Duties can include:
What is a DSM in a show?
A Deputy Stage Managers (or DSM) is more than just a stand-in if the TSM or CSM is absent. The DSM is responsible for ‘calling’ the performance (co-ordinating the various technical team members to perform cued actions at the correct times, and activating lighting and sound cues for the show).
What is an ASM in a production?
An Assistant Stage Manager (or ASM) is much more than simply an assistant to the other stage management roles (although this is part of their duties). ASMs are responsible for sourcing or creating props for the production in line with the designer’s plans and looking after them during a show. Duties can include:
What is a daily show report?
Sending daily show reports to all creative team members communicating how that performance was received and any errors made during the show by cast or crew
Why do we do shout checks?
Carrying out ‘shout checks’ pre show to ensure all props/presets are where they should be prior to the performance commencing
What is the prompt book in a show?
Creating the prompt book (sometimes known as the show bible) where movements of all cast and crew on stage at any time so that a complete record of the show is kept in the event that a cast or crew member needs to be replaced.
What is a stage manager?
What is a Company Stage Manager? A Company Stage Manager (or CSM) is usually the producer’s most senior representative ‘on the ground’. They manage the day to day human resources side of the production for cast and crew as well as overseeing the logistical liaison with the venue when the production arrives.
Examples of stage manager in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web The Foo Fighters dedicated the show to Andy Pollard, their stage manager of 12 years, who died on June 18. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 30 Dec.
First Known Use of stage manager
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What is the role of a stage manager in a play?
An authoritative figure who resembles a narrator as he guides the audience through the play, the Stage Manager is an unconventional character in the canon of dramatic literature. He is not simply a character in the play. As his name suggests, he could be considered a member of the crew staging the play as well. He exists simultaneously in two dramatic realms. At the beginning of Act I, he identifies the play and the playwright, and introduces the director, the producer, and the actors. Furthermore, every act begins and ends with the Stage Manager’s expositions and announcements. During each act, he frequently interrupts the play’s action for the purpose of cueing another scene, providing the audience with pertinent information, or commenting on what has just happened or what is about to happen. All of these functions suggest that even though the Stage Manager occupies center stage, he is neither an actor nor a character, but rather someone who works behind the scenes.
Why is the stage manager ambiguous?
Wilder deliberately makes the Stage Manager’s location in the play ambiguous, because it is precisely this ambiguity that allows the Stage Manager to bridge the gap between the audience and the characters onstage. The Stage Manager essentially plays the role of the audience’s guide.
What is the purpose of the fourth wall in the play?
He breaks through the fourth wall—the imaginary barrier between the audience and the action on the stage—to facilitate a dialogue between the audience and the content of the play. Indeed, through the Stage Manager, the interaction between the audience and the play actually becomes part of the content of the play itself.
What is the beginning of Act 1?
At the beginning of Act I, he identifies the play and the playwright, and introduces the director, the producer, and the actors. Furthermore, every act begins and ends with the Stage Manager’s expositions and announcements.
Who serves ice cream sodas to Emily Webb and George Gibbs?
For example, in Act II, after narrating the action, cuing a flashback, and changing the set to prepare for the next scene, he steps directly into the plot and becomes Mr. Morgan, the drugstore owner who serves ice-cream sodas to Emily Webb and George Gibbs.
Is the stage manager an actor?
All of these functions suggest that even though the Stage Manager occupies center stage, he is neither an actor nor a character, but rather someone who works behind the scenes. But while the Stage Manager occupies a position outside of the narrative action—that is, outside of the play’s central plot—he does occasionally assume the role ...
Why can't Emily go on reliving her life?
Emily tells the stage manager that she can’t go on reliving her life, because “it goes so fast. We don’t... (full context)
What does the stage manager announce in Act 1 of The Play?
The stage manager announces that the first act of the play is now over. (full context) The stage manager announces that three years have passed since act one. He says that the first act... (full context) Mrs. Webb returns and tells George to leave so Emily can come eat breakfast.
What does the stage manager say about the importance of marriage?
He speaks about the importance... (full context) The stage manager says that he’s performed hundreds of marriages, and that “once in a thousand times it’s... (full context) Act 3. ...Stimson, Mrs. Soames, and Wally Webb, all dead, go on-stage before the act begins.
How many people were in Babylon?
Y’know—Babylon once had two million people in it, and all we know about ’em is the names of the kings and some copies of wheat contracts... and contracts for the sale of slaves. Yet every night all those families sat down to supper, and the father came home from his work, and the smoke went up the chimney,—same as here. And even in Greece and Rome, all we know about the real life of the people is what we can piece together out of the joking poems and the comedies they wrote for the theatre back then.
Does everyone get married?
Almost everybody in the world gets married,—you know what I mean? In our town there aren’t hardly any exceptions. Most everybody in the world climbs into their graves married.
Who is the stage manager in Grover's Corners?
Dr. Gibbs. The stage manager begins and concludes the play, and coordinates it throughout all three acts. He is both part of the world of Grover’s Corners and outside of it: he describes himself as a resident of the town and acts as various townspeople such as Mr. Morgan and the minister at Emily and George’s wedding, ...
Who wrote the play Our Town?
This play is called “Our Town.” It was written by Thornton Wilder; produced and directed by A. ... In it you will see Miss C. ...; Miss D. ...; Miss E. ...; and Mr. F. ...; Mr. G. ...; Mr. H. ...; and many others.
