| Table of Contents |
|---|
JOB DESCRIPTION
The stage manager is responsible for all logistics regarding running rehearsals and performances. The position is most easily broken into two phases: rehearsal and production.
...
During prod week and the run, you control everything. It is your responsibility to make sure that you get into the performance space every night, and that it's secured when you leave. Your word is law. When you decide the show will start is when it will start. You have to coordinate the actions of the cast, crew, housemanager, ushers, audience, etc. Again, you need to make sure that everyone that's supposed to be there is there. You call the show. You tell the light board-op when to hit the button. You tell the sound board-op when to hit the button. You tell the stage crew when to move the button (or table, or chair, or flat, or elephant, whatever!). If anything goes wrong, it's your call on what to do, who to call, and how to fix it, so be prepared to make split-second decisions about what should happen in case an actor takes your pre-show comment to heart, and really does break his leg.
Make sure you talk to your sound and light board-ops about what they need you to do before each tech rehearsal and show, and add those things to your checklist (see below).
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show that you've seen at least a thousand times already (maybe not, but it feels like it) and watch how your audience responds to the production that you got to see take form from beginning to end. Have fun!
...
Q2Q: Again each cue is run, this time with actors. The actors should be given some time to walk around the set to get used to things. During q2q, all tricky entrances/exits and all scene changes should be rehearsed until you are confident that everyone can do them well. (usually this is a no-brainer, since they usually coincide with light cues, but not always, so be sure to get them all). (Alternately, if you're run crew won't stay the same througout the run, skip set changes for Q2Q for Q2Q but spend 10 minutes on them at each dress rehearsal and (if needed) before each performance. Your actors may hate you, but your audience will be happier. )
...