What does a stage manager do?

Question

This week, the stage manager of the drama club I'm in asked me if I would like to be assistant stage manager. Of course I said yes, because I'm only a freshmen and since I didn't get a part in the upcoming play, I wanted to be a part of backstage. But I didn't actually know what they do. Does anyone know? Thanks!

Answer 1

As you will be an assistant stagemanger, your task will be to assist the stagemanager in the service of the production. As I am unaware of what your facilities are like for your drama club, I will suggest that your duties will be to act as additional senses and hands for the stage manager. The duties of the stagemanager with the production are to carry out the vision of the Artistic Director with the additional input of the designers. The stagemanager makes sure the blocking is written down and that what ever blocking the director has put in place is carried out by the actors during the run of the production. The stagemanager is also responsible for watching out for the safety of the performers on stage, because if the stage is unsafe it is hard to have the production go forward. Try it out, it gives you more to do when you don't get the role and you may like it. I have friends who prefer to stagemanage productions.


These are just few notes from a person who acts, techs and directs. Also I do stagemanage shows sometimes.

Answer 2

Never. Sometimes the cast will point to the control room, indicating the technicians/stage managers, but I hate that. As a stage manager, I'm not in this job to get applause and I don't need recognition from the audience; if a director ever asked me to take a bow, I'd flat-out refuse. Not part of the job.

Answer 3

Two words -- paper work.

Everyone's answer has been great, so I'll just add to it.

The ASM (that's you) will probably have to make a contact sheet and a daily check-in sheet.
You might be making photo-copies of the set design for the director's blocking or the lighting guy's notes.

Keep track of everything you can imagine -- blocking, which entrances and exits actors make, tech schedule etc.

You'll will probably be spiking the show too (little dog-legs on the upstage side, please).

So ... make a prompt book.
In it will have ....
The Script
The Cast List
The Tech Schedule
The Rehearsal Schedule
Copies of the wardrobe's measurements
Copies of the lighting design
Copies of the poster design
The Contact Sheet
Past Sign In Sheets
Daily rehearsal reports
Emergency Numbers

You'll probably be making the time calls (one hour to curtain everyone!), (Places for the top of Act II!)

Hopefully you'll have a lot of fun. Odds are the SM will be calling it from FOH, so you'll be back stage as prime communicator to the cast. Be efficient and polite. And break a leg!

Answer 4

Hi! I have actually been a stage manager several times.
Stage managers organize the rehearsals and assist the director to make the rehearsals and performances run smoothly. During the performances, they call cues for those running the scenery, lights, and sound.

Answer 5

A stage manager controls the techinal action backstage during the performance and rehearsals. They also can do duty as prompter, costumer, custodian and psychologist. Take the job. You'll love the interesting things you'll learn.

Answer 6

Stage Managers make sure people go out on que,make sure people are quiet and stuff like that.

Answer 7

stage managers are the link between the dirrector and the cast and crew, they help run rehersals, work lines, and keep track of blocking.

Answer 8

You control the things that need to be done, you tell the people what to do and sometimes help with the scripts. But don't be to bossy and help out as much as possible ^.^

Answer 9

a stage manger makes sure that the stage is right