During performances, the stage manager runs the book, which means he uses the prompt book to cue lights, sound and set changes. Stage manager is a key position in any successful theater production. The professional experiencerefreshed takes the reader on a journey through all aspects of the craft of stage management in theatre, including the technological advancements that have come to theatre and the stage mangers job. General manager, the technical director, the production coordinator. Throughout the process, this book will help them keep track of all the information that goes into the show. In order to get this information and allow the director to discuss the show with their production heads, a stage manager also schedules meetings and takes a roll call of these meetings. The stage manager has a wide number and variety of responsibilities, which can be broken down into three primary categories. If you entered the program as a freshman you would shadow an sm team during the fall semester and be a production assistant in the spring. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal process and coordinating communications among various production teams and personnel. The sm has an immensely interesting and satisfying job, works in close cooperation with the director of the play and is an essential person in the production. Like music, therell be points in the script when you turn a lot of pages quickly, and spots when you sit on the same page for a while.
The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to. A stage manager s job is to create a bible of all this information. The sm needs to be an unobtrusive time and personnel manager, creating an atmosphere of ease in which everything seems to run smoothly. Script stage managers prompt book, undated new york public library digital collections. While the wardrobe staff revived her, an assistant stage manager ran from backstage to take her chair and headset and continued giving cues from the prompt book. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue. Job description of the company manager for a theater. As the name implies, the sm literally manages the stage. Chapters are laid out to reflect the order in which stage managers experience and perform their work. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible. Apply to stage manager, connected vehicle manager, cost manager and more. Stage managers schedule and run rehearsals, where they also.
Search 4,438 stage manager jobs now available on, the worlds largest job site. The lowstress way to find your next theater stage manager job opportunity is on simplyhired. Stage management is an art that is learned through extended study, mentoring, and experience. Check out why its good to keep these for future jobs and why its such an important tool for a. Stage managing is a job that requires a large time commitment, but is never boring. Apply to stage manager, certification manager, stage hand and more. Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production.
These are kept in the prompt book, also known as the bible, in which you note everything that is pertinent to the show. The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. The prompt book the prompt book is a working document that organizes lists, schedules, notes, reports, script, etc. The specifics of your job change with the production schedule. Stage manager attends all rehearsals, keeps the prompt book, will run lights and sound for all performances. The primary prompt book should have any and all information about a production in it incase the director, producer, anyone needs information.
The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed. Youll need to have a good understanding of both the technical. It must be prepared in advance of the first rehearsal, so the stage manager is ready to go right away. Not just to remind you, but in case something happens, someone else will be able to read and understand your blocking notations. In rehearsals the stage manager records all blocking, light, sound and set change cues, in a master copy of the script called the prompt book. For a refresher on the characteristics of a good stage manager, take a look at the book stage. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues, and is used by the deputy stage manager to run. There are over 218 theater stage manager careers waiting for you to apply. They are the lines of communication between actors, director, designers, technical staff, and front of house exc. Accept responsibility keep their cool keep their eyes and ears open and know when to share their opinions. Assistant stage manager asm usually shortened to asm, the assistant stage manager is the most junior member of the stage management team, and is often in charge of sourcing and running properties during the run of a show. Senior year most stage managers will psm a mainstage show. Mar 03, 2015 its been requested, so i go through what i have in one of my prompt books for a show. Oct 27, 2018 the prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show.
Stage manager entertainment jobs technical holland. How to transition stage managementpa into fulltime day job. Post audition and pre rehearsal, rehearsal period, tech. The three most important aspects of stage managing are communication, communication, communication. See more ideas about teaching theatre, stage and theatre stage. Blockit is a web app for stage managers to create a digital prompt book. Billy rose theatre division, the new york public library. Created by the stage manager over the entire course of the production from prep to closing, it is the property of the production company. Oct 06, 2018 the stage manager is responsible for creating a master copy of the script called the prompt book that contains everything pertaining to the show. Imagination stage 20202021 season, stage manager audition.
Jun 24, 2011 its created as notes for the stage manager or, in dire instances, a substitute to follow, and not as a resource for teaching the choreography to a dancer thats someone elses job. Maintain prompt book which is defined as the accurate playing text and stage business together with cue sheets, plots, records, and diagrams as are necessary for the actual technical and artistic operation of the production shows. His eight points explain perfectly what makes a good stage manager the best. The stage managers responsibility is to ensure that communication and collaboration occurs on a regular basis throughout the process. As a stage manager you would be assigned to a production in addition to your daily classes. The stage manager also takes notes each night on aspects of the performance to distribute to actors and production departments. Information about the prompt book will be covered in each section of the sm handbook. The prompt book must have all moves, unscripted pauses and technical cues clearly marked up maintain ongoing liaison between the directors and designers and production manager as well as between cast and managementpublicity in absence of a company manager provide support to the senior stage manager to assist the production department with. How to become a good stage manager with pictures wikihow. For a refresher on the characteristics of a good stage manager, take a look at the book stage management by lawrence stern.
As lighting, sound and set change cues are developed, the stage manager records them in a book, which he will use during performances. As the saying in the theater goes, the show must go on, and it is the job of a company manager for a theater to fulfill that promise. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible youtube. A couple stage manager skills from the job posting. A stage manager is responsible for the overall organization of a theatrical production. Junior year you would usually be an asm or a production stage manager for one of the smaller shows in the studio theaters. A prompt book documents everything about the production and could be used as a blueprint to remount the production if a company desires. With your copy of the production calendar, add in everyones conflicts. Follow these steps and your stage manager will be ready to go in no time. The prompt book, a master copy of the script that includes all cues and technical specifications including audio and lighting instructions for a production, is used to coordinate events like performers movements with technical changes, a process that requires the backstage coordinators detailed knowledge of all the technical elements backstage. This means the sm follows the show in the prompt book and tells the light board operator and the sound board operator when to execute a cue. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn. There are 197 members with the job title stage manager on media match.
The stage manager also works with the technical designer in creating sets that match the directors needs and then finding the most efficient way for crew to change the sets quickly during the performance. Shall assemble and maintain the prompt book which is defined as the accurate playing text and stage business, together with such cue sheets, plots, daily records. Stage manager film and tv jobs in the entertainment. Check out why its good to keep these for future jobs and why its suc. Apply to stage manager, account manager, stocker and more. Oct 19, 2018 as a sophomore you would be assigned as a pa again or you may become an assistant stage manager depending on your abilities and skills. The prompt book is kept in such a manner that in the case of an emergency anyone could pick up the book and run the show. The stage manager is responsible for creating a master copy of the script called the prompt book that contains everything pertaining to the show. Theatre stage managers coordinate all aspects of a theatre production to ensure the successful delivery of the performance.
Check out why its good to keep these for future jobs and why its such an important tool for a show. Two big theater achievements that fit skills they want. Convey the directors wishes to designers and stage crew. Its been requested, so i go through what i have in one of my prompt books for a show. Feb 29, 2012 not just to remind you, but in case something happens, someone else will be able to read and understand your blocking notations.
Record the directors decisions about blocking and notes for the actors. During rehearsals the stage manager works right alongside the director recording lighting cues, prop handling and entrances of all the players. Once a show goes up, i keep my prompt book at the theatre. The role of the stage manager in any theatrical production is like the keystone of an arch. For an average production, the sm will require a staff of one or more assistant. The position has a unique function because it serves the dual function of assistant to the director and production staff during the rehearsal period and then becomes the person in charge of the production during the actual performance. As a theatre stage manager youll manage rehearsals, actors, technicians, props and costume fittings, and liaise with frontofhouse staff and the director.
The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to coordinate with the onstage action. Stage manager salary and career advice job preparation. Seeking equity stage manager for the imagination stage 20202021 season. New theater stage manager careers are added daily on. In the world of professional theatre, the stage manager is one of the most important players. From this point forth, the stage manager is charged with maintaining the integrity of the performance and technical direction. In rehearsals the stage manager also records all blocking, plus all the light, sound and set change cues, in a master copy of the script called the prompt book. And make sure you keep a copy of your blocking key in your prompt book. One of the stage manager s most important tasks is to create and maintain the prompt book sometimes known as the show bible which is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. The information in the prompt book allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical. The sm should be one of the most informed and knowledgeable people in the production staff.
Backstage coordinator job descriptions career trend. Manages and maintains staff work schedules and hours. Once the run of the show has begun, the stage manager is in control of everything that happens backstage or onstage. Stage manager job profile if youre a people person with a love of theatre and a cool head in a crisis then stage management could be the career for you. In order to make sure the stage manager has all the various cues recorded in their prompt book, some more complicated productions may require a paper tech session, when the director and designers are present to talk through and coordinate the placement and timing of cue sequences for the production. Its a time consuming task but will save you much frustration in the long run. Preparing your prompt book 5 prerehearsal meeting with director or choreographer 6 running rehearsals 7. Dont bring in an entire prompt book, but bring in some complicated blocking pages if you have them. How to prepare a stage managers prompt book theatrefolk. The stage manager conducts each performance by calling cues. The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains. A stage managers job is to create a bible of all this information.
Since this is a summary for your theatre stage manager resume, you need to write the rest of your resume first. The company manager for a theater could be assisting the director in blocking out stage moves in the morning, arranging props in the afternoon and overseeing a company cast dinner in the evening. In order to get this information and allow the director to discuss the show with their production heads, a stage manager also schedules meetings and takes a roll. Bind your resume to the stage manager job description.