A chronological approach and priorities |
(Some of these would not apply to high school stage management, but would apply to professional/touring stage management) |
|
Task |
Priority |
Coordinate with |
BEFORE REHEARSALS BEGIN |
Get things to run smoothly on stage and backstage |
A |
|
Gather equipment |
B, E, F |
|
Be aware of police, fire and municipal regulations |
A |
Producer, Tech Director |
Inspect safety conditions |
A |
|
Get to know the theatre |
B |
|
Make a diagram of the stage |
C |
Tech Director |
Check out the fuse boxes |
C |
Tech Director |
Make a diagram of lighting instruments |
C |
Tech Director, Lighting designer |
Keep a to do list |
B |
|
Make a prompt script |
A, B, D |
Director |
Identify the problems of the script |
A |
Director |
Write out plots |
B, C, G |
Director, Technicians |
Make master calender |
B, C |
Everyone |
Schedule staff meetings |
C |
Producer |
Distribute rehearsal schedules |
B, C |
Producer, Director |
Arrange the callboard |
C |
Producer |
Distribute and explain company rules |
C, G |
Producer, Director |
Keep a budget and record of your expenses |
A |
Producer |
Obtain audition forms |
B, C |
Producer, Director |
Prepare staff, crew, cast lists |
C |
Production director, Staff, Crew |
Make gel patterns |
D |
Technicians |
Make supply directory |
E |
|
Post emergency numbers |
A |
|
|
|
|
|
DURING READINGS AND REHEARSALS |
Prepare audition rooms |
B, C, D |
Producer, Director |
Post notes for readings |
B, C, D, F, G |
Production director |
Accept resumes |
E |
Director |
Control scripts |
B |
Director |
Make preset diagrams |
A |
Director, Tech director, Scene designer |
Prepare for rehearsals |
B, D |
Director |
Post running order |
B, D |
Director |
Supervise department heads |
C |
Production department heads |
Control required forms |
C |
Producer, Director |
Conduct deputy election |
B |
Union, Cast |
Keep cast on time |
A, B |
Director, Cast |
Distribute itneraries |
C |
Producer, Cast |
Distribute touring agreement |
C |
Cast |
Post duty roster |
C |
Everyone |
Make checklists |
B |
|
Supervise props |
A |
Property Master, Producer, Director |
Distribute scene shift diagrams |
B, C, D |
Scene designer |
Contribute to advance letters |
C |
Producer |
Maintain order |
B, E |
Director |
Call rehearsal cues |
A |
Director |
Take blocking notation |
B, C, D |
Director |
Make French scene diagrams |
E |
|
Spike set pieces |
A, C |
Tech director |
Prompt |
C |
Director, Cast |
Give rehearsal, publicity, costume calls |
A |
Everyone |
Warn cast |
E |
Director, Cast |
Keep rehearsal log |
E |
|
Submit rehearsal reports |
B, G |
Producer |
Time rehearsals |
B, D |
Director, House manager |
Post photo calls |
E |
Publicist, Director, Costumer, Cast |
Prepare lighting sheet |
B, C |
Lighting techs |
Work on load-in; brief crew |
B, C, D |
Scene designer, Tech director, Crew |
Make shift plot chart |
C, D |
Tech director |
Supervise arrangement of scene dock |
C, D |
Tech director |
Supervise technical rehearsal |
A |
Director, Tech director |
Choreograph scene changes |
B, D |
Tech director |
Prepare area lighting diagram |
C |
Lighting designer |
Prepare regeling plans |
C |
Lighting designer |
Post sign-in sheets |
B, C |
|
Place curtain call light cues on lighting sheet |
B |
Director, Lighting techs |
|
|
|
|
DURING PRODUCTION |
Conduct lighting check |
A |
Lighting designer, Lighting techs |
Post scene shift diagrams |
B, C, D |
Tech director |
Give calls (prior to curtain) |
A |
Cast |
Caution audience |
C |
Producer |
Call late actors |
A |
Cast |
Coordinate with House manager |
A |
House manager |
Give cues |
A |
Technicians |
Check immediate effect of each cue |
A |
|
Supervise shifts |
C, D |
Tech director |
Inspect shifts |
B, C, D |
Tech director |
Time performances |
B |
Director |
Walk the curtain |
D |
Tech director |
Time curtain calls |
A |
Director |
Maintain sets |
C, D |
Tech director |
Be aware of cast morale |
A |
Cast |
Keep the show in hand |
A, C |
Director, Cast |
Post V.I.P. list |
F |
Producer |
Rehearse understudies, block replacements |
C |
Producer, Director, Cast |
|
|
|
|
POST PRODUCTION |
Distribute strike plan |
B, C, G |
Tech director |
Post changeover schedule |
C, G |
Producer, Tech director |
Supervise moves |
A, B, C |
Producer |
Write letter to next stage manager |
F |
|
Write critique |
D |
|
Write letters of recommendation, thank-you notes |
F |
|
|
|
|
IN GENERAL |
Make contact file |
E |
|
Make a theatre information pack |
C, F, G |
Producer, tech director |
Get acquainted with unions |
C, E |
|
Send out resumes |
A |
|
Read theatre news |
E |
|
Keep in contact with theatre acquaintances |
F |
|
Start a theatre library |
F |
|
|
|
|
|
A: |
I have got to do this first. The quality of the production will be adversely affected if I don’t. |
B: |
I have got to do this because if I don’t, time and energy of staff and cast will be wasted. |
C: |
Someone else may do this well, but I have got to make sure it gets done. |
D: |
I can assign this task to a subordinate if I make sure it gets done. |
E: |
I will do it if I have the time, and it would help, but we will survive without it. |
F: |
A luxury, I will leave it for last. |
|
|
G: |
This might be useful for another show, but will be useless here. |
|