How can i be a good stage manager?

Question

Well my drama teacher told me that next yr (I'll be in11th grade) I will be the stage manager. Currently we have 2 senior ones and I've asked them, but bcuz its only high school they say to do whatevr, and to just help with light and sound when im not sure what to do....
but i want to be really good at it b'cuz i really dont know much about the lightboard nor sound system so i want what i do do to be done really well...even if just for high school or not.

well i know what a stage manager is...and i had hoped to get the position since i started high school, but what i need to know is how be good leader without being hated nor a pushover

Answer 1

First off - Helenp has no sweet clue. A stage manager is the reason a show happens, and it is her ignorance that will make her hated by Stage Management and trust me, we can make your life as a performer EXTREMELY difficult. Trust me, I have been on both ends and it takes far more talent to stage manage than to act. I may get a thumbs down for that, but sorry guys, its true. We have to know your jobs better than you do in order to do our job.

As a Stage Manager, your key goal is time management. In high school, people will not understand what a stage manager actually does, but in professional theatre everyone is aware that it is the Stage Manager who is the boss. They decide when a show goes up, how it happens, etc once the director has left after opening night.

So, as far as advice for a high school show, my best suggestion would be keep your prompt script updated at all times (marking all the blocking, sound and light cues, props, costumes, etc).

Your main role is the organizer behind the scenes. Try to familiarize yourself with the lighting and sound (and find out if you will have operators or if you will be expected to operate the board yourself). Your main duty will be to write in all the cues in your script, and call the show (if they let you, high schools differ because again, there is a serious lack of education about what a stage manager does).

I would focus on the following:
1 - Maintaining your script
2 - Writing in cues
3 - Providing running sheets for your ASM (basically of list of what they have to do during the show backstage from prop hand offs to costume changes).
4 - Keep everyone on time. Remind your director nicely how much time he/she has left for rehearsal and when it is noted that he/she would like to move on, write down what they want to cover (i.e blocking act 1, run through of scene 5, etc)
5 - Stay on top of the schedule. Be open to changes and problem solve as you go.

Because it is high school, my guess is that people won't really know what you do, so roll with it. Give them their call times nicely, without being pushy. Stage Managers do a lot of smiling and nodding. I've had actors explode on me (based on their insecurity and nothing to do with what was happening) - and I have just said nothing and held my ground.

You have a backbone, just don't get bossy. As long as you are in charge, and know you are in charge, that is all that matters.

You'll be fine. Good luck!

Answer 2

I've been a stage manager at both the high school and collage level. To be a good stage manager you need to understand how to "handle" all people because, unlike other positions in the theater, you are privy to almost everything going on, you are the link between the cast and crew. The directors may tell you things for your ears only or they may be in teacher mode, and your classmates may tell you things as a a fellow student or as a stage manager You are also the one that has to keep your cool and be prepared for anything and everything. Having a SM notebook is the key to most of this, It keeps you from panaking because everything you need, and the answears to most peoples question will be in this notebook. Your book should have :
Audtion information (if that is relevent for you, I don't know if they involve you or not in the audtion process)

Cast/Crew information: (schedules, phone numbers, and part played)
Rehearsal/show schedule: This will be the question you get the most "when is such and such?" what time does such and such start/end/" be sure you have a watch too it helps:)

Script : I recomend photocopying the script So that the text is on the left side of the page, that way you can write the blocking and light cues on the right side, make sure this is clear and neat, anyone should be able to pick your script up in the middle of the show and understand what should be happening on stage next.

Rehearsal reports: you might not be doing these quite yet, but this is where you should be keeping notes on what the direct needs you and everyone else needs to do, it's also where you keep track of absences and such things. If someone has a question about a rehearsal they should be able to go to you and and get the information (which you will have because you wrote it down in your note book :)

Tech info: not sure how much you might need this, but this is where you keep information about the stage, the scenery, etc.

Answer 3

Certainly in theater education you'll find hundreds of WWW sites related to stage management, but that's not what I'll address here.

GOOD at is is relative, and "Relax" it's high school. BTW as a stage mgr. you shouldn't be required to "Run" anything but the "process" NOT equipment. Certainly your involvement with "techs" is a key part of the job. Knowing cues, and signilaing them as you Manage, while following along with the script, and it's notes.
Your involvement should be regarded with respect. After the director has done his/her job during rehearsals, and the first to last curtain goes up and comes down, YOU are THE BOSS, and certainly can engage in the SM role with respect to all others involved. That doesn't say you have to be a Buddy to all, but also shouldn't be Scrooge.
Seemingly mundane tasks like calling time, lining up members for cueing, effecting that timing goes well, and fauxpas go largely unnoticed by any audience, is part of your "job"
Certainly in theater at that level you may have to be the know all/do all person, in moving props, set pieces, knowing the skills of the people running boards and lights, and their agreement to take YOUR direction, without much question, etc..
It can be a thankless job, but oh so important.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

Well, obviously you should memorize the entire play. Know the script backwards, forwards. Basically, know the exact punctuation of every line. Then, I would learn more about the lightboard and sound system. You'll be more helpful that way. Also, whenever the director tells the actors to do something, right it down on a copy of the script. Be very organized, too. Make sure you have costumes and props in a place everyone in the cast can get to easily. That's pretty much it.

Answer 5

what about reading in that issue then i prefer to go to real theater on summer time to practice nothing will help except to have experience on it and see every thing with your own eye cause specially that field the more practice you did the more excellent you will i was studding editing i graduate now but what make me an editor the practice not the books yeah the books is important but the more important to do what you read
wish you good luck
ABOUT THE DETAILS YOU ADD:
be friendly but strong and put limits time for work is for work you know put your rules that's why i told you you have to go to stage manager and practice with him\her that's experience you cant read or tolled
I'll check later
good luck
i hope i helped

Answer 6

A stage manager is like an equipment manager for the sports teams. They really want to play but stink so they contribute to the team by washing jock straps.