What things should a stage manager have prepared before and for an audition?

Question

I am going to stage manage our high school's One Act Play, and while I have stage managed before I want to do a much better job this time. I have been doing some reading, and am curious of what is expected/desired from a good stage manager from the director? the actors? the production team?

Answer 1

In the company I work at, we organize all the actor resumes and coordinate with any community actors or non-company actors we're auditioning, work with the director to prepare an audition order for the auditions (ie who reads with whom if you're reading scenes or who reads in what order if you're doing monologues-- or both if you're doing a combination of the two.) I also xerox all the audition sides, post signs for actors with the audition order, etc, xerox information sheets for the actors to fill out, and make up a general info sheet with all of the rehearsal, production, and callback information to hand out to the auditioners.
Then in auditions, you are going back and forth to pull auditioners from your holding area, handling paperwork so that your director always knows exactly who is auditioning in front of them at any given moment, and just generally making sure that actors move in and out smoothly and have everything that they need.
After auditions, you compile the audition sheets, handle any callback arrangements, and make sure that the director is aware of any conflicts or special circumstances before casting decisions are made.
Of course, in a highschool you aren't going to be able to do all this (and heaven help you if you have open auditions) but that should give you a general idea of how things are run.

Answer 2

I just got done being student director/stage manager in my small college for a musical (which was a lot more work!). If you've already been chosen, then by auditions, I would have read the play at least once, make sure the director has your cell number! My directors expected me to remember...everything. I had a legal pad w/me at all times during practice. Take a pencil to make notes in the script. For me, I stopped by the director's office every couple days to talk to him outside of practice to see what I needed to work on. Pretty much be available to everyone (within reason). From the actors, give them their lines in practice (you're responsible for cues - you'll memorize the whole thing). Be willing to help them (run lines after practice,call them if they're not there when they need to be,etc) or fill in if they're missing or late. Production team - be willing to lend a hand and advise when they're learning what they're doing. Once they've got it down, leave them alone and let them work. If they need an extra hand for testing lights or sound or for putting on makeup, just be willing to pitch in and be told what to do. I loved doing it and I learned a little bit of every facet of the production! Good luck!

Answer 3

You should simply ask these questions of the director.