Stage Management Basics

Book description

Stage Management Basics touches on basic principles for stage management for theatre, dance, and opera productions.

Without assuming any intrinsic prior knowledge of the theatrical field and its associated, specialized terminology, this book covers every aspect of the stage management, from reading a script, meeting with a director and theatre staff, and auditioning, to constructing green digital scripts, communication best practices, and opening night protocol. Additionally, this book features multiple appendices containing stage management form templates, blank version of which are available on its companion website.

This book is for the beginning Stage Management student.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Contents
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. Introduction
  8. ONE The Psychology of Stage Managing
    1. Qualities of a Good Stage Manager
  9. TWO Preliminary Steps
    1. World of the Play
    2. Types of Theaters
    3. Stage Directions
    4. Script
    5. Scenic Breakdowns
    6. Basic Tools and Supplies
    7. Online Resources
  10. THREE The Theater
    1. Theater Staff
    2. The Production Artistic Staff
    3. Other Staff Members
    4. First Meeting with the Director
    5. Tour of the Theater
    6. Rooms and Important Features
  11. FOUR Safety
    1. First Aid Kits
    2. Weaponry
    3. Emergency Procedures
    4. Medical Emergency.
    5. Security Emergency
    6. Weather
    7. Suspicious Persons
    8. Fire
    9. Injury Report
  12. FIVE Auditions
    1. Before Auditions
    2. At Auditions
    3. After Auditions
  13. SIX Pre-Production
    1. Getting Organized
    2. Paperwork
    3. Prepping the Rehearsal Space
    4. Prop Storage
    5. Stage Management Kit
    6. Light and Sound Systems
  14. SEVEN Meetings
    1. Concept Meetings
    2. Production Meetings
    3. Scheduling Meetings
    4. Prior to Meetings
    5. Running a Meeting
    6. Meeting Notes and Reports
  15. EIGHT Rehearsals
    1. Types of Rehearsals
    2. Running a Rehearsal
    3. During Rehearsal
    4. After Rehearsal
    5. First Rehearsal Off-Book
    6. Run-Throughs
  16. NINE Publicity
    1. Program Information
    2. Publicity Photos
    3. Interviews
    4. Photo Call
  17. TEN Prior to Tech
    1. Load-In
    2. Paper Tech and Dry Tech
    3. Prepping the Calling Script
    4. First Day Onstage
    5. Last Rehearsal Before Tech
    6. Crew Calls
    7. Investing in Blacks
  18. ELEVEN Tech Rehearsals
    1. Types of Tech Rehearsals
    2. Calling Cues
    3. Quick Change Rehearsals
  19. TWELVE Dress Rehearsals
    1. Preshow Setup (Checks)
    2. Actor Notes
    3. Tech Notes
    4. Postshow Cleanup
  20. THIRTEEN Prior to Opening Night
    1. Looking Ahead
    2. Stage Management
  21. FOURTEEN Performances
    1. Front of House
    2. Performance Reports
  22. Standby
  23. Glossary
  24. American to English Glossary
  25. Appendices
  26. Online Resources
  27. Suggested Readings
  28. Index

Product information

  • Title: Stage Management Basics
  • Author(s): Emily Roth, Jonathan Allender-Zivic, Katy McGlaughlin
  • Release date: November 2016
  • Publisher(s): Routledge
  • ISBN: 9781317336525