I guess this all sort of depends on what type of stage manager you are, and Nick, this is why I was a little playful in my response to you. I always joke that my style is about dealing with people (I manage artistic people), and then throw in about 15 minutes of technological theater knowledge. They toys are great, and yes they help do a lot of our job well, I just hate when I see a good stage manager (and often times a younger stage manager) let these toys get in the way of connecting with the people in the room (and often young stage managers use the vast knowledge of the internet to jump in and do other people’s jobs . . . but that’s another point). Often, working with younger stage managers you do find yourself
Kay, what’s interesting, if we look to Broadway and commercial theater as the sort of precursor of what is coming down the pike, then yes, I think the technology is coming and is here to stay. But, on the flip side, Broadway and Commercial Theater may not always be the best management style to emulate (commercial theatre tends to treat talent as completely replaceable, including stage management – not my favorite management style). Where as technology in lighting, scenic, sound are a natural addition. Technology is not always an improvement in communication; it may make it easier, but it may not make is “better”.
At the end, Nick, it’s NOTE the technology that I am against (I am a HUGE tech fan), it is how it is abused in the rehearsal hall. I am sick of actors being on their smart phones during notes or during rehearsal, within sight of the director. I am sick of seeing ASMs on Facebook - hell, I am sick of me getting bored sitting in the hall and working on paperwork, and then end up flipping to Facebook. I am frustrated about the trend in stage management for everyone to be in the hall working on their laptops – and not really paying attention to the work going on in the room. (I keep comparing it to have an actor come in an do vocal work in our stage management office.)
Now, there are those who can use it all, and never alienate anyone – and alienate few. But there are others who can’t not.