Stage Manager

[confusedpink]

I've just accepted the role of stage manager at my school for our prodution of a musical, to be performed in December. However, I've never done anything like this before. I wondered if anyone could give me a few tips, marking the script, making notes etc... It's not a professional company, only after school and some weekends but I want to do it well! Do I need to be there at all rehearsals? Will I be in charge of lighting or is that separate? I know that I will do props and stuff but will I have to exert my authority or rely on the director? After all, I will be younger than some of the actors! Any help or useful little tips would be much appreciated! thanks

[Scarlett]

Ask the director for nay help you need, but basically you will be running the show!! You will be responsible for everyone being on and off stage at the right time, the wings being silent, and all props and scenery coming on and off at the right time. You will also need to cue the lights and sets, if you don't have a lighting manager. What you could do, is write to your local theatre and ask if you could hang around backstage with the stage manager in order to gain some experience for your role. You will then see how VITAL your role is, and how important it is to be able to keep calm at all times! Good luck !

[Scarlett]

P.S The director will be more concerned with the acting and the overall "look" of the show. You will be running it practically speaking. On the actual night, the director will be in the audience, eating popcorn- his job will be done. Yours will just be beginning!

[tomd]

Depending on the size of the production, lighting and sound reinforcement would usually be seperate from the stage - they should be run from the back of the hall anyway.

[Octavius]

Useful advice above, here is some more:

http://www.cuadc.org/index.php?id=41

It is specific to the theatre in the article but at least it gives you some tips. 

[stoo_pid]

Hi confusedpink.  First of all - don't panic!  It might sound like a lot of work & responsibility but it's really not that bad & if all goes to plan will be a lot of fun.  The key to a smooth-running, stress-free show is all in the preparation.

As Scarlett said, the director will let you know what they want you to look after & they should be in the best position to offer you any helpful advice (although if they're a bit of a luvvy their knowledge of backstage stuff may be a little limited!)

For a school production, it's unlikely you'll have to worry about the majority of the sound or lighting cues. Depending on where the lighting & sound desks are situated though, you may find you'll be the best person to give certain cues (e.g. for actions that the sound / lx crew may not be able to see from the back of the hall such as a sudden entrance from the wings).

You wouldn't normally be expected to attend all rehearsals.  It would probably be a good idea to get to the very first one, as then you get to meet everybody (and also realise that at this point no-one knows what's going on either!).  As to which other rehearsals you'll need the director should give you some idea which ones would be useful for you.

Scarlett's suggestion of contacting the local theatre is an excellent one.  Depending on the size & type of theatre, you may not find you'll be lucky enough to hang around backstage during a production, but most SMs I've known are only to keen to share their knowledge & give you tips. 

continued....

[stoo_pid]

...continued

At the very least, hopefully they could find some time to talk to you about what to expect.  If you do get the chance, the one thing I would ask them is to show you how to mark a script out properly with your cues.  A well-laid out cue sheet will make life so-oooooo easy for you that you'll be able to run the play as though you wrote it yourself!

Three little tips I can give here:

1. Whichever way you choose to mark your cues up, write them as though you are going to have to give the script to someone else to run the show for you.  Not only does it mean that the show can still go on if you're abducted by aliens on the way to school one day but it also means you won't get stressed out cos you suddenly can't read your hand writing in the near-dark on opening night. 
2. Write all your cues in pencil (use capitals) until after the dress rehearsal (the last rehearsal before opening night).  There are always last minute changes.
3. If you get a chance the morning before the first performance, go over the pencil using red ink for the actual cues and blue or for the 'warns' (warns are just a little warning that you mark a page or two before you have to actually give the cue).  Use a yellow highlighter for each cue & warn.  This is because it'll be very dark backstage but you should have a light - the best way for you to see what you're doing without ruining the lighting director's perfect blackout is to shade your light with a bit of blue filter (ask the lighting team for a spare bit of blue 'gel').  You'll find that while everyone else is bumping into each other in the wings or treading on each other's toes the yellow highlighter on your script will really stand out in the blue light.

Hope that helps a little bit.  I'm sure you'll have a great time.  Break a leg!