What does a stage manager do during the show?

What does a stage manager do during the show?

A Stage Manager supports and organises all the different teams involved in the day-to-day running of a theatre production from rehearsals right through to performances and then post-show. They liaise and communicate with the full company and organise each team to ensure the smooth running of a production.

What is a stage manager in drama?

Stage Managers are the link between what’s going on in a rehearsal room with a director and the cast, when a production is emerging and being rehearsed, and all the other people that are going to make that production happen.

Does the Stage Manager block the show?

As rehearsals move forward, and as the director starts to block the show, it is the stage manager’s job to record that blocking in a neat way in their script.

What does it mean when a stage manager calls the show?

During the show, one stage manager “calls” the show, which means they sit at a desk with a bank of video monitors and give all the lighting cues over headset, and scenic/sound cues by flipping cue lights. Learning to call the show takes some skill and a lot of practice. Its a lot of counting to the beat!

What skills do stage managers need?

Here are some important skills a stage manager can use to succeed in their role:

  • Communication. Communication is one of the most important skills for stage managers.
  • Organization.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Confidence.
  • Problem-solving.
  • Leadership.
  • Management.
  • Stage management skills for a cover letter.

What makes a great stage manager?

A good stage manager will practice the following traits: be proactive, assume responsibility, think ahead, be organized, and dependable. With each production your confidence and skills will grow, assisting you in your professional career after college.

Where does the stage manager sit to call the show?

Like a spider sitting in the middle of its web, the stage manager or team should sit at the heart of the production and be the first port of call for anything concerning the show for all those involved in creating and running it. The role of the stage manager is especially important to the director in rehearsals.

What qualities make a good stage manager?

To become a Stage Manager, you need to be:

  • a good communicator.
  • reliable and resilient.
  • able to handle pressure and deadlines.
  • capable of working as part of a team.
  • an effective motivator.
  • flexible, with the ability to react quickly.
  • good at organising your own work and the work of others.
  • able to use your initiative.

What are the three most important qualities for a stage manager to have?

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