I don't know what forum this goes under, but I need advice.
I need to know a logical way to split a community theatre show with another stage manager. It is one that starts in a few weeks, and I have conflicts that have come up (some I know of, and some I know will arise as rehearsal progresses), causing me to need another stage manager but not entirely hand over the whole show. Because I've already started the show (the communication with the actors and production staff, sending out information, scripts...etc. Basically doing my pre-rehearsal duties for this theatre) and the conflicts do not prevent me from working on the entire show, I still plan to be the stage manager.
I've shared a show before with another stage manager, where I took over rehearsals and we split the performances. However, for this particular show I am asking about, my dilemma is, how do I share a show that I've already started? I mean, instead of just having the other stage manager call performances and sit in on rehearsals, I need the cast and crew to develop a trust in her abilities and her authority, if you will. However, the show is not a fifty-fifty split.
My thought was to write out specific descriptions for a primary and secondary stage manager, though I don't know what wording can be used because primary and secondary don't seem quite right. (We already have an assistant, but she is more or less still in training and using her experiences as ASM to build her education and skills as a SM). Does this make sense? Has anyone been in a position where they had more than 1 stage manager, but there was still ultimately one stage manager who was the primary one? I struggle to describe this, because I believe that both of our positions are valuable, but know that if I don't set guidelines and duty-descriptions, we may step on each other's toes and not know who takes care of what, etc.
Can someone advise on a good way to share this job?