practice to become a good stage manager?

Question

i recently took part in a middle school play as the 8th grade stage manager but was in charge of the other grades as well, my teacher who has been in drama for over 20 years said that i did a phenomenal job as stage manager and asked me to be the assistant stage manager at her theater,my question is how can i prepare for the stress and tension of an actual theater since i have never worked in an actual theater and because the play i mentioned earlier was my first as a stage manager, i really enjoyed it and was sad when it was over, i want to do this assistant job but i dont know what to expect or how to prepare, pleaseeeeee help me

Answer 1

Firstly - don't worry. Your teacher obviously has confidence in you.
Equipment you will need: A pencil, pencil sharpener, notebook. If available, a stopwatch.
I understand that in the US, Stage Management may take a slightly different form then in the UK, but I am sure that some basics will be the same. Keep your eyes and ears peeled at all times - watch and listen. You will probably spend some, if not most of your time in the rehearsal room. Read the script as soon as you are able. If before rehearsals start, then great, if not, your first time may be on the first day of rehearsals. As an Assistant, you will have someone else in charge of you. Seek guidance from them. Find out what they need/expect you to do. Don't panic if you don't understand something - ask. By the time the play gets to the performance stage, you will know lots about the show.
Things you might be asked to do (These are more UK based ASM duties and may not be what you do!):
Make sure the tea and coffee facilities are in plentiful supply.
Photocopying.
Making props lists from the script and adding to them as things crop up in rehearsals.
Buying/making props if there is no props buyer, or passing on information if there is something large or complicated needed.
Typing out rehearsal notes and distributing them.
Set out props and furniture for rehearsals and make sure that there is an actual prop or a representation of it for rehearsals (For example: cheap tea cups and saucers to represent a fine bone china set appearing in the performance!).

As a Deputy Stage Manager in the UK, I am the one in rehearsals who writes out the blocking (where actors enter on to the stage and what actions they do while in the scene). I also listen, take notes of anything the Director says regarding lighting and sound effects, any costume requirements and then pass them on to the relevant departments. Prompt when the actors are still learning their lines and try to keep the rehearsals running smoothly.

What ever tasks you end up doing, I hope you enjoy yourself. Welcome to the wonderful world of Stage Management - it is a great job.

Answer 2

Being a stage manager is really about being able to organize.

You'll probably have to do things like:
Schedule rehearsals
call cues back stage
take notes for the director

Basically if you're a assistant stage manager just listen to the stage manager and help take the load of their shoulders. If you don't know what to do, just ask. It's always better to ask then mess up. I walked into a costuming/wardrobe job at a professional theater with very minimal experience but I was told what to do. I was reliable. I left all my outside drama at the door (that's big in theater people don't like working with emotional coworkers), and if I didn't understand my task at hand I asked for a more in depth explanation. I got rehired, promoted, and a raise so I must have been doing something right. I'm sure you'll be great. Just don't take little things personally. Stay organized. AND HAVE FUN! Everyone likes working with someone who's having a good time!

Answer 3

I stage managed for a college theatre for a year. I jumped in to it with out knowing a single thing about stage managing. If I wee you I would look up Some Basic stage blocking shorthand. It will come in handy when you start hving to write all of the blocking down for each actor in one book. It really helps to have two copies of the script that you can cut apart and put it into a big binder.Paste each page onto a piece of card stock and then put it in the binder. Then you can have more space to write blocking. Dont let the actors push you around. YOU ARE THE BOSS. Break a leg!!

Answer 4

Working as an ASM (assistant stage manager), you'll be getting constant instruction and guidance from an experienced stage manager. You won't be out there on your own. The people at the theatre will be aware that you're new to the game and they won't expect you to know everything from day one. Stay alert and you'll pick up everything you need to know. Your teacher obviously has faith in you; have faith in yourself.

Answer 5

I have began to stage manage a lot in high school and I recently bought The Stage Management Handbook it is really useful. It is more geared toward professional Stage Management, so you many have to disregard some of it, but if you are serious about Stage Management it is really helpful. Or at least it was for me.

http://www.amazon.com/Stage-Management-Handbook-Daniel-Ionazzi/dp/1558702350

Answer 6

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