Hi Lou,
OK i had a word with him and he offered the following...
There are several 'Resident Stage Managers' but they are not quite as you or me might know them from Theatre! There job is to mainly ensure the 'venue' (think seating, drapes, company office, parking etc.) is adequately arranged. This isn't just a thing for Cirque, this is applicable to all RAH productions.
Cirque does travel with a Stage Manager and a Show Caller. The Stage Manager has more of a 'Production Management' or Company Stage Management role, looking after the artists, scheduling, press calls etc. The Show Caller calls mainly the artists to the stage, artist ent. cues and SOME automation (mainly visual). I also take it they liaise with automation and other departments to call a show stop where necessary. They DON'T call LX or Sound (the operators who tour with the show take there cues themselves). Automation/ Rigging also take many of their clearances and cues themselves. The Show Caller is also monitoring several screens etc. to make sure people are hitting their marks for automation, rigging/ flying sequences are happening correctly, and automation is all going to plan!
The Rigging is a massive task and is conducted by the touring riggers, master carpenter, head of rigging as well as some local riggers. Alegria got in all over Christmas. It started eith a Pre-Rig, putting in points etc. starting many weeks before the show came. Then next all the rigging goes in, followed by the Stage and LX/ Sound.
The parting cross-part of the stage is something I have seen in other Cirque shows and thought was most impressive. I suspect this is called as an 'Auto' or 'Automation' Cue rather than a trap cue. I presume this is a bespoke system designed by Michel Crête (the set designer) and as such there is no actual 'name' for that sort of staging...
If you are looking for more information on individual peoples jobs etc. go to the Cirque du Soleil website
here which gives you detailed job descriptions for current vacancices at Cirque.
Indeed as they are a touring show (in fact they are an international touring show!) there are certain limitations on how much wow-factor they can take on the road!
My friend is actually an LX Guy so doesn't know too much about the Stage Management of it all but he says if you have any specific questions then I'll pass them on and he'll find out for you! Also if you want to know anything about LX then he's got all that info.
Hope that helps in some small way!
Sam x
PS - I too really loved the snow. Great Effect!