Stage Management
What’s a Stage Manager and Decoding Cues
Objectives
WE WILL:
Recognize and understand the qualities of a Stage Manager and identify all of the paperwork that they are in charge of.
I WILL:
Understand and recall what cues are and attempt to write out a Calling Script as a Stage manager.
TEKS Technical Theatre 1
1C. recognize theatre systems such as the production calendar, tech rehearsals, and production staff roles;
2.C. identify the production team such as designers, director, crew members, playwright, and stage manager and their duties;
3.E. recognize the roles of theatre management such as house management and stage management.
5.G. use technology to communicate and present findings in a clear and coherent manner.
What is a Stage Manager?
“The person responsible for the lighting and other technical arrangement for a stage play.” -Google
What is a Stage Manager?
“Stage managers typically provide practical and organizational support to the director, actors, designers, stage crew and technicians throughout the production process. They also are the director's representative during performances, making sure that the production runs smoothly.” - American Association of Community Theatre
What is a Stage Manager?
For Education….
-Support Director
-Know the Show/Call the Show
-Keep Schedule
-Maintain Sanity and Order
Professional vs Educational
Prof:
-Records
-Cues
-Liaison Depart
-Master Schedule
Edu:
-Contracts
-Cues
-Schedules
-Notes
-Orders
Same:
Qualities for a Stage Manager
-Strong Personality
-Organizational Skills
-A Strong Love for Office Supplies
-A Great Planner
-Someone Who Thinks Similarly
-The DO-er
Forms
-Sign In Sheets
-Rehearsal Reports
-Production Meeting Reports
-Run Sheets
-Tracking Sheets for Props & Costumes
-Blocking Script
-Cue Script
RUN SHEET EXAMPLE
CUE SHEET EXAMPLE
CUE SHEET EXAMPLE
CHARACTER TRACKING EXAMPLE
Before a Production
-Read your play!!!!
-Start making Notations of possible:
LIGHTS cues
SOUND cues
COSTUMES pieces or wardrobe changes
SCENERY Specifics
-Create all of your Forms Ahead of the first initial meeting or rehearsal
During a Production
-Take Rehearsal Notes!!!!
-Take ALL the Notes!!!!
-Take specific Notes!!!
-Keep Director on Track
-Maintain Attendance Records
-Social Media
-Communicate, Communicate, and Communicate
Rehearsal Notes!!!
Rehearsal Notes are super important in any theatrical rehearsal situation.
Usually when you are in the professional world of Theatre not all of The Creative Teams are present like in High School.
(Applaud your Directors because they do the work of about 25 people themselves.)
It is the Stage Manager's responsibility to make sure all of the Heads of the Creative Teams such as the Technical Director, Master Electrician, Wardrobe Supervisor, Prop Master, ect., are all on the same page about what goes on in the Rehearsal incase the Director or Actors need specific items or complicated blocking that will require special pieces from all departments.
Example of
Rehearsal Notes
After a Production
-Run Strike and Clean
-Collect ALL records
-Clean up and Organize your Bible
How can a SM help your Director?
-Keep Time
-Keep Attendance Log
-Maintain some chaos
-Blocking Script
-Cue Script
-Rehearsal Reports/Notes
Stage Management Cue Sheet
Excerpt from Shirley Lauro’s A Piece of My Heart
1
A
A Circle with a number is a Light Cue
A Square with a letter is a Sound Cue
A Backslash is a Standby for Lights
A Forward Slash is a Standby for Sound
A Caret is for when a Light and Sound Cue are going to happen together.
Your Turn….DECODING Cues
We are going to try to recognize cues.
**At Teacher’s discretion and could be used as extra credit or scaffolding.
DECODING CUES Assignment
DECODING CUES Assignment (Example)
-Light Cue 1 & Sound Cue A Standby
-Light Cue 1 & Sound Cue A GO
Answer:
COUNTING CUES Assignment
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Stepping up to the Headset!!!
For an even greater challenge, step into the shoes of a Stage Manager by Calling Cues to the 1991 Broadway Performance of Into the Woods.
Insert Video or Recording of you calling the cues you just wrote out with the 1991 Broadway Performance of INTO THE WOODS.