Introduction to the Art of Stage Management: A Practical Guide to Working in the Theatre and Beyond (Introductions to Theatre)

How do you develop the craft and skills of stage management for today's theatre industry? And how can these same skills be applied in a variety of entertainment settings to help you develop a rewarding and successful career? Drawing on his diverse experience working with companies from across the performing arts spectrum in venues from the Hollywood Bowl to the Barbican Centre in London, Michael Vitale offers a practical resource on the art of stage management for new and established stage managers. Besides providing detailed coverage of the role within theatre, the book uniquely explores the field of stage management in numerous branches of the entertainment industry. From theatre, opera, and theme parks, to cruise ships, special events, and dance, stage managers are an integral part of keeping productions running, and this book offers guidance on each distinct area to equip you for a varied and successful career. Written with candour and filled with real-world examples, the book examines the nuts and bolts of the job at each stage of the production process: from preproduction, room rehearsal, technical rehearsal, through to running the show. Vitale considers the skills needed to work with a myriad of different people, explores the traits of a successful stage manager, and helps you to hone and evaluate your own practice. Whether you are exploring the field for the first time or are a veteran looking to diversify your resumé, Introduction to the Art of Stage Management will provide insight, practical information, and useful tips to help along the way. An accompanying Companion Website features a range of time-saving templates and forms, such as schedule templates and scene samples. https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/introduction-to-the-art-of-stage-management-9781474257190/ Cover 1 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 11 About the Author 12 Introduction 14 1 Role of the Stage Manager 18 Who’s who 19 Assembling the team 21 Artist v. technician 23 Archetypes of Stage Managers 24 2 Preproduction 30 Reading the script 31 The prep week 37 Production meetings 39 The Stage Manager’s kit 42 Preparing the prompt book 44 3 The Production Process: Room Rehearsal 48 “Running rehearsals” 49 Preparing the space 51 Blocking notation 56 Making the rehearsal room work 59 Rehearsal reports 61 The final days 63 4 Technical Rehearsals 66 Getting the stage ready 67 Arrivals 70 Calling the show 71 Integrating the crew 77 5 Running the Show 82 Maintaining the show 82 Company morale 90 6 Working with Others 94 Teamwork and collaboration 94 Conflict in the room 96 Problems from within 100 The good stuff 107 Building a strong team dynamic 107 Patience and communication 109 7 Role of the Stage Manager: Opera 112 Organization 113 The process 119 Room rehearsals 124 Tech 125 Performance 128 8 Role of the Stage Manager: Music 132 Classical music 132 Working with artists 136 Blurring the lines 138 Other music styles 140 9 Role of the Stage Manager: Special Events 144 The initial meeting 145 Making it happen 148 10 Role of the Stage Manager: Theme Parks 152 The structure 152 By the numbers 155 Theme park offerings 156 What makes a theme park different? 157 A day in the life of a Theme Park Stage Manager 160 11 Role of the Stage Manager: Cruise Ships 162 The production process 163 The shows 165 Other responsibilities 168 The experience 169 12 Other Avenues For Your Stage Management Skills 172 Dance 172 Careers in the theatre 174 Other industries 178 Wedding planning and coordination 180 Film and television 183 Project management 185 Conclusion 188 Further Reading 189 Index 190 "How do you develop the craft and skills of stage management for today's theatre industry? And how can these same skills be applied in a variety of entertainment settings to help you develop a rewarding and successful career? Drawing on his diverse experience working with companies from across the performing arts spectrum in venues from the Hollywood Bowl to the Barbican Centre in London, Michael Vitale offers a practical resource on the art of stage management for new and established stage managers. Besides providing detailed coverage of the role within theatre, the book uniquely explores the field of stage management in numerous branches of the entertainment industry. From theatre, opera, and theme parks, to cruise ships, special events, and dance, stage managers are an integral part of keeping productions running, and this book offers guidance on each distinct area to equip you for a varied and successful career. Written with candour and filled with real-world examples, the book examines the nuts and bolts of the job at each stage of the production process: from preproduction, room rehearsal, technical rehearsal, through to running the show. Vitale considers the skills needed to work with a myriad of different people, explores the traits of a successful stage manager, and helps you to hone and evaluate your own practice. Whether you are exploring the field for the first time or are a veteran looking to diversify your resumé, Introduction to the Art of Stage Management will provide insight, practical information, and useful tips to help along the way. An accompanying Companion Website features a range of time-saving templates and forms, such as schedule templates and scene samples"-- Provided by publisher Role of the stage manager -- Pre-production -- The production process- rehearsal room -- The production process- technical rehearsals -- Running the show -- Working with others -- Role of the stage manager : opera -- Role of the stage manager : music -- Role of the stage manager : special events -- Role of the stage manager : theme parks -- Role of the stage manager : cruise ships -- Other avenues for you stage management skills