Stage Management

by Stern, Lawrence

• ISBN13: 9780205449736
• ISBN10: 0205449735
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

The "bible" in the field of stage management, this text is a practical manual on how to stage manage in all theater environments. Making Things Run Smoothly; Characteristics of a Good Stage Manager; Getting the Play and Understanding It; Scheduling and Company Rules; Getting Acquainted with Your Theater; Expediting Auditions and Readings; Budgeting; Rehearsal Procedures; Keeping the Cast on Time; Department Management and Property Management; Lighting, Sound and Cueing; Supervision of Shifts; Running the Technical Rehearsal; Running the Show; Working with the House Manager; Keeping the Show in Hand; Closing and Moving/Touring; Organizing Information; Correspondence; Festivals; and Getting a Job. Stage management

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Preface to the Eighth Edition	ix
Preface to the First Edition	xi
1 Making Things Run Smoothly and What's in It for You	1	(10)
A Point of Departure	2	(1)
The Care and Feeding of the Amateur Stage Manager: A True Tale of the Theater	2	(5)
What's in It for You?	7	(3)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	10	(1)
2 Characteristics of a Good Stage Manager	11	(11)
Attributes of Good Stage Managers	11	(7)
Communication/Management Skills	18	(3)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	21	(1)
3 Getting the Play and Understanding It	22	(22)
The Prompt Script	25	(6)
Understanding the Script	31	(1)
Plots	32	(5)
Area Lighting Diagrams	37	(2)
Entrances and Exits	39	(3)
Pronunciation Questions	42	(1)
Special Effects	43	(1)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	43	(1)
4 Scheduling and Company Rules	44	(15)
The Master Calendar	44	(3)
Staff Meetings	47	(1)
Rehearsal Schedules	48	(5)
Company Rules	53	(2)
The Callboard	55	(3)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	58	(1)
5 Getting Acquainted with Your Theater	59	(22)
Who Does What?	59	(7)
Personal Equipment for Stage Managers	66	(3)
Stage Diagrams	69	(2)
Circuit Breakers	71	(2)
Diagram of Lighting Instruments	73	(2)
Information Packets	75	(5)
Suggested Classroom Exercises	80	(1)
6 Expediting Auditions and Readings	81	(24)
Working with Actors	83	(1)
Posting Notes for Readings	84	(5)
Accepting Resumes	89	(2)
Controlling Scripts	91	(1)
Obtaining Information	91	(5)
Controlling Forms	96	(1)
Preparing a Cast List	97	(5)
Conducting the Deputy Election	102	(2)
First Cast Meeting or Read-Through	104	(1)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	104	(1)
7 Budgeting	105	(8)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	112	(1)
8 Rehearsal Procedures	113	(44)
Working with the Director during Rehearsal	113	(3)
Preset Diagrams	116	(1)
Rehearsals Away from Your Stage	117	(1)
Your Rehearsal Call	118	(1)
Rehearsal Duties	118	(21)
Keeping Track of Rehearsals	139	(1)
Accident Prevention and Reports	140	(9)
Keeping a Do-List	149	(4)
Avoiding Rehearsal Problems	153	(3)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	156	(1)
9 Keeping the Cast on Time	157	(6)
Sign-In Sheets	158	(3)
The Calls	161	(1)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	162	(1)
10 Department Management and Property Management	163	(14)
The Stage Manager as Coordinator of Departments	163	(1)
Property Management and You	164	(1)
Property Persons Checklist	165	(4)
Property Forms	169	(7)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	176	(1)
11 Supervision of Shifts	177	(16)
Shift Plot Charts	177	(5)
Take-In	182	(1)
Crew Briefing	182	(1)
Scene Dock	183	(2)
Shift Inspection	185	(1)
Scene Shift Diagrams	186	(3)
Audience Caution	189	(1)
Distribution of Scene Diagrams	189	(1)
Upkeep of Sets	190	(2)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	192	(1)
12 Running the Technical Rehearsal	193	(9)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	201	(1)
13 Running the Show	202	(14)
Checklists	202	(3)
Giving Cues	205	(6)
Cueing Equipment	211	(1)
Timing Curtain Calls	212	(2)
Walking the Curtain	214	(1)
Access to the Control Booth	214	(1)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	215	(1)
14 Working with the House Manager	216	(13)
Duties of the House Manager	217	(4)
Blood-Borne Pathogens	221	(3)
Rotating Duty Rosters	224	(3)
VIP Lists	227	(1)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	228	(1)
15 Keeping the Show in Hand	229	(6)
Long-Run "Improvements"	229	(2)
Cast Morale	231	(1)
Blocking Replacements and Rehearsing Understudies	232	(1)
Upkeep of Sets and Costumes	233	(1)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	234	(1)
16 Closing and Moving/Touring	235	(12)
Strike Plan	235	(2)
Changeover Schedule	237	(2)
Moving the Show	239	(7)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	246	(1)
17 Organizing Information	247	(25)
Local Theater	247	(1)
Newspapers and Magazines	247	(3)
Guides to Goods and Services	250	(3)
Contact File	253	(1)
Books	253	(2)
Keeping Current with the Technology of Theater	255	(3)
Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)	258	(1)
Police, Fire, and Municipal Regulations	259	(4)
Getting to Know the Unions	263	(7)
Stage Managers' Association	270	(1)
SMNetwork	270	(1)
The Theatre Sound Mailing List	270	(1)
Suggested Classroom Exercises	271	(1)
18 Correspondence	272	(4)
A Letter to the Next Stage Manager	272	(1)
Critiques	273	(1)
Letters of Recommendation	273	(2)
Thank-You Notes	275	(1)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	275	(1)
19 Getting a Job	276	(10)
Your First Job as Stage Manager	276	(1)
Resumes	277	(3)
Personal Mailing List	280	(2)
Long-Range Goals	282	(3)
Suggested Classroom Exercise	285	(1)
Appendix A Production Checklist from a Stage Manager's Point of View: A Chronological Approach and Priorities	286	(4)
Appendix B Forms	290	(1)
Appendix C A Few Theater Stories	291	(8)
Appendix D Websites of Interest to Stage Managers	299	(7)
Appendix E What Would You Do?	306	(4)
Glossary	310	(23)
Reader's Comments Form	333	(2)
Index	335