Stage Management Kit

[Lcdetlef]

Hello. I have been looking on here for awhile but this is my first post.  I have seen lots of post about what is in your kit, but what is your actual kit? I have seen toolboxes and some other things. I'm trying to figure out the best one for me. Thanks guys.

[amandaackovitz]

As a student, I have found that having a kit is helpful, but it doesn't need to be nearly as comprehensive as a kit a professional SM might have. As such, I find that the Snap N' Stack 6x9 Rectangles from Snapware work well. You can have as few or as many of them as you need (I use 2 right now, but will be adding a third before I head to an internship this summer), and they snap together with a handle for easy portability.

[lydiaelaine]

As a college student, I use a reconstructed scrapbook bag that I've added a shoulder strap to as my kit, and then I just invested in the Bag of Holding from thinkgeek.com for my laptop, 3 ring binder, script, clipboard, etc. I used to use a tackle box. It's all about what's easiest for you. I'm like a bag lady. I've got school bags, work bags, and SM bags with me DAILY. It's about portability for me. Good luck finding something that works for you! 

[LCSM]

I use art supply boxes - I have a larger one to keep at the theatre, and a smaller one for travel. The brand I use is ArtBin. They're light (plastic), lots of different-sized storage space, and have a sturdy handle to carry them with.

[BARussell]

My kit is ridiculous, it's a giant toolbox, it rolls (about the size of a medium suitcase)

Link-
http://www.lowes.com/pd_174826-355-018801R_4294801867_4294937087_?productId=3017737&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Tool%2BBoxes_4294801867_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1&facetInfo=

It's crazy and inconvenient and too big, but there is space for EVERTHING!

[LimeGreenTechie]

For my last couple shows, I had a small snap-lock box (like a larger tupperware with handles), that held in it a few essentials (like tissues, couple bandaids, hand sanitizer, lotion, post-its, pens/pencils, etc). It was nice to have something for my actors to go to if they had forgotten a writing utensil, or just needed a bandaid for their heels or a small cut, without having to lug out the heavy duty first aid kit. It certainly wasn't as extravagant as a professional stage manager's would be, but it worked for what I needed.

[ksteele]

I have an interesting system since the university I'm at has multiple venues: two main stages and a studio space and 2 rehearsal spaces. I have a small toolbox/tackle box that I use to carry around essentials that I use at almost every rehearsal (bandaids, a couple of tampons, pencils and highlighters, etc.). It's easily portable so I can move around with it. Then I have a medium sized suitcase on wheels that carries my bigger items, like a fully stocked first aid kit, and my stock of things that I carry individually in the smaller case. The suitcase gets parked in the dressing room or a storage space at whichever venue I'm working in for that production on the first day of rehearsals, and lives there for the duration.