Stage Management

Stage Management offers readers a practical manual on how to stage manage in all theatre environments. Revered as the authoritative resource for stage management, this text is rich with practical resources, including checklists, diagrams, examples, forms and step-by-step directions. In addition to sharing his own expertise, Stern has gathered practical advice from working stage managers of Broadway, off-Broadway, touring companies, regional, community, and 99-seat Equity waiver theaters. In its 11th edition, the book is now fully in color and updated to include new information on Equity contracts, social media applications in stage management, and working with high school productions. This book is written for Stage Management courses in university Theatre programs. Cover 2 Half Title 3 Title Page 4 Dedication 5 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 Preface 11 Foreword 12 Acknowledgments 14 Chapter 1 Making Things Run Smoothly 15 Chapter 2 Characteristics of a Good Stage Manager 17 Attributes of Good Stage Managers 18 Communication/Management Skills 24 Effective Committee Work 26 Chapter 3 Getting the Play and Understanding It 31 The Promptbook 36 Understanding the Script 40 Plots 42 Area Lighting Diagrams 46 Entrances and Exits 47 Pronunciation Questions 50 Special Effects 51 Chapter 4 Scheduling and Company Rules 52 The Master Calendar 53 Staff Meetings 56 Rehearsal Schedules 58 Company Rules 63 The Callboard 66 Chapter 5 Getting Acquainted with Your Theatre 70 Who Does What? 71 Personal Equipment for Stage Managers 78 Stage Diagrams 83 Diagram of Lighting Instruments 86 Information Packets 88 Chapter 6 Expediting Auditions and Readings 95 Working with Actors 98 Accepting Résumés 103 Controlling Scripts 105 Obtaining Information 106 Controlling Forms 109 Preparing a Cast List 113 Conducting the Deputy Election 115 First Cast Meeting or Read-Through 116 Chapter 7 Budgeting 117 Chapter 8 Rehearsal Procedures 124 Working with the Director During Rehearsal 125 Preset Diagrams 128 Rehearsals Away from Your Stage 130 Your Rehearsal Call 131 Rehearsal Duties 132 Keeping Track of Rehearsals 151 Accident Prevention and Reports 153 Keeping a Do-List 163 Avoiding Rehearsal Problems 165 Chapter 9 Keeping The Cast on Time 170 Sign-In Sheets 172 The Calls 175 Chapter 10 Department Management and Property Management 177 The Stage Manager as Coordinator of Departments 178 Property Forms 183 Got Snow? 189 Chapter 11 Supervision of Shifts 192 Shift Plot Charts 193 Take-In 197 Crew Briefing 198 Scene Dock 200 Shift Inspection 201 Scene Shift Diagrams 202 Audience Caution 205 Distribution of Scene Diagrams 206 Upkeep of Sets 207 Chapter 12 Running the Technical Rehearsal 209 Spiking Devices 212 Chapter 13 Running the Show 218 Checklists 219 Giving Cues 223 Cueing Equipment 227 Timing Curtain Calls 229 Walking the Curtain 231 Access to the Control Booth 232 Chapter 14 Working with the House Manager 234 Duties of the House Manager 235 Blood-Borne Pathogens 238 Rotating Duty Rosters 240 VIP Lists 242 Chapter 15 Keeping the Show in Hand 244 Long-Run “Improvements” 245 Cast Morale 247 Blocking Replacements and Rehearsing Understudies 249 Upkeep of Sets and Costumes 251 Chapter 16 Closing and Moving/Touring 252 Strike Plan 253 Changeover Schedule 256 Moving the Show 258 Chapter 17 Fire/Evacuation 274 Limitations 276 Stage Manager’s Fire/Evacuation Checklist 278 Evacuation 282 Resources 286 Chapter 18 Working with Unions 288 Chapter 19 Organizing Information 300 Local Theatre 301 Newspapers, Magazines, and Internet Info 302 Guides to Goods and Services 305 Contact File 309 Books 310 Keeping Current with the Technology of Theatre 315 Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) 318 Police, Fire, and Municipal Regulations 319 Organizations 321 Chapter 20 Correspondence 329 A Letter to the Next Stage Manager 330 Critiques 331 Letters of Recommendation 332 Thank You Notes 334 Chapter 21 Getting a Job 336 Your First Job as Stage Manager 337 Résumés 339 Personal Mailing List 343 Long-Range Goals 345 Chapter 22 High School Stage Management 350 Four Suggestions for Improving Stage Management at Your School 351 Company Rules 357 Improving Scene Shifts 358 Rehearsal Reports 359 Safety Concerns 365 Recognition of Drama Teachers 366 Appendix A: Production Checklist from a Stage Manager’s Point of View 368 Appendix B: Forms 373 Appendix C: A Few Theatre Stories 377 Appendix D: Websites of Interest to Stage Managers 385 Appendix E: What Would You Do? 412 Appendix F: Directing a Community Theatre Play 416 Appendix G: Jill’s Communication Skills Exercise 429 Glossary 432 Reader’s Comments Form 467 Index 469 Résumé de l'éditeur : "The book offers readers a practical manual on how to stage manage in all theatre environments. Revered as the authoritative resource for stage management, this text is rich with practical resources, including checklists, diagrams, examples, forms and step-by-step directions. In addition to sharing his own expertise, Stern has gathered practical advice from working stage managers of Broadway, off-Broadway, touring companies, regional, community, and 99-seat Equity waiver theaters. In its 11th edition, the book is now fully in color and updated to include new information on Equity contracts, social media applications in stage management, and working with high school productions."