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The Green Room / Re: Novels About Stage Management?

« Last post by BLee on May 23, 2025, 04:53 pm »

Thank you for revitalizing this topic! I'm curious if there are other titles/series that haven't been brought up yet?

My favorite is the Nicholas Bracewell series by Edward Marston: https://www.goodreads.com/series/41640-nicholas-bracewell

Featuring a mystery-solving Stage Manager during the Tudor period in England. If you, like me, love both Shakespeare and Stage Management (and a good cozy mystery) this is the series for you!

Introductions / Ancient former SM back in the saddle again!

« Last post by Thes on Apr 08, 2025, 07:14 am »

Hi folks,

I started stage managing when I was 17 when I and a few other people (Some longtime pros and myself and a friend (he, a musical prodigy, me, an actor and lighting designer, they, well established musical theatre and recording artists)) got together to form a musical theatre company for young performers. I became the stage manager for the company (among many other hats, of course).

I stopped SM'ing to become a roady, actor, photographer, cameraman, director, agent, talent manager, recording studio designer and now, it looks like I may be back to SM'ing at 59 yrs old!

I'm just bouncing around to see just how different the job is and how far the tools to help with the job have come. If anyone has any advice at all, it will all be received with great appreciation!

Looking forward to being in contact to as many of you as possible,

Thes

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Bullying in highschool theater

« Last post by Zozozizzle on Apr 01, 2025, 02:12 pm »

Hi everyone,
For some background I am the stage manager at my small school of about 700 students ages 10-18. (Everyone knows each other.)
Our theater company is about 150 students. Recently, I've run into a really weird issue.
Both theater teachers/directors refuse to deal with bullying and harmful gossip!
Our big show last fall ended up having three people quit right before/during shows because of gossip about SA (I tried to shut it down, but people talked about it outside of theater and couldn't believe it when it turned out to be a lie), plus general bullying. I've tried going to both teachers before but one usually takes sides (intentionally or not idk) and the other stays as uninvolved as possible. This has created a really bad community for a bunch of hormonal teenagers and since a lot of people have started coming to me with relationship issues I'm at a loss. I have a high position due to me being VP of our troupe but no matter how much I try to separate people, stop rumors, or talk to the people involved it just gets worse. I know this is fixable because whenever our uninvolved directors wife comes over from her school no one has any drama. As a student myself I don't have the same presence or authority she does so as I said previously, I'm a bit at a loss right now.
Does anyone have any tips? This is getting out of hand.
Thank you for any advice you might have :-).

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROPS: Shaving Cream for Sweeney Todd

« Last post by admarc25 on Nov 17, 2024, 02:34 pm »

Hi - I am currently stage managing a community theatre production of Sweeney Todd School Edition, and I need a solution for a believable shave lather which will not be irritating to the eyes and will be easy to wipe off. Does anyone who has done this show or something similar have any suggestions to share? I would appreciate any help!

Introductions / Re: Moving and Grooving

« Last post by Maribeth on Oct 22, 2024, 08:32 pm »

Welcome aboard, Kendall! What's a favorite production that you've worked on?

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: RUNNING: Valuables

« Last post by Hilary on Oct 22, 2024, 01:24 am »

RuthNY, I love your reply to this thread. Have tried to find policy/procedure about returning valuables to actors after performances in AEA Rulebooks, but have not succeeded. Can you refer to any official statement about returning valuables to the actors in person post-show?

Thank you

Introductions / Moving and Grooving

« Last post by Kjennings45 on Sep 10, 2024, 12:53 pm »

Hi! My name is Kendall Jennings.... I am new here! I just want to say I love this site already. Just reading a few posts and it's exciting to hear advice from experience stage managers. I would say I am experienced as well, but I just graduated college. So, all my experience is university productions and a few productions with a professional theatre down in Bowling Green, KY.
I know we just "met," but I have some exciting news! I moving to New York City in October! Yeah, I know, big change from Louisville, KY. I am thrilled, excited...... nervous. Every day, I am either about to vomit or jumping up and down screaming with joy. I guess it's the unknown that is killing me. The good thing is I have a great connection with a female director from New York, who has taken me in as a mentee. She has been very helpful, and I have been reading a ton of books on stage managing.
I actually found this site through one of the books I am reading.
Anywho! I am an excited, positive, dedicated SM who is waiting for her next chapter and ready to learn more.
I'm very happy to find this site and I can't wait to learn all the knowledge you all have about the backstage life!
I am a very open person and love people, so if you want to chat - send me a message. Or if you have any advice on moving to the Big Apple, I am all ears.

Thank you and have a blessed week

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