A Stage Manager's Job: An Overview

"The SMs [stage managers] are the bonding agents that keep all departments connected. However the SMs' work is neither technical nor artistic." Larry Fazio Stage Manager: The Professional Experience

People

A stage manager is a people person, if not by nature than he has to be very good at faking it. A large percentage of the job is communicating, reassuring, and "managing" a large number of people. Here are some of the people the stage manager communicates with and between: production executives, office staff, director, actors, tech heads and crew, vendors, box office, ushers, and the house manager. The list will vary depending on the company type and size.

A stage manager communicates plans between backstage departments (sets, costumes, sound, and lighting), on stage performers, and act as a sort of sounding board between and among the two. Actors or crew may bring the stage manager's attention to any number of problems. He in turn will then pass the concern on to the director or head it pertains to most. Often times the stage manager is a filter, taking an emotionally charged rant and relaying it in a version that is respectfully and efficiently addressed.

Stage manager as a title begins to emerge in England in the 1800s. As theatre became more and more complicated through use of elaborate costumes, lights, and sets, the work of the director became too much and needed to be split. The stage manager emerged as an artistically neutered position designed to take care of the necessary. Namely, he communicates between departments, takes in-depth notes, calls cues during performances, and accesses any potential conflicts.

Organization and Notes

A stage manager attends all production meetings, keeping notes on what has and what needs to be addressed. He manages all number of reports, lists, and documents bringing order from what could easily turn into chaos.

Stage managers also keep a copy of the script that contains blocking notes, props and costumes needed, and any other information the director might want notated. They keep a history of past blocking in case any confusion might occur throughout the run of rehearsals.

They schedule and make ready rehearsals, keeping an account of who needs to be present where throughout the pre-production of the show. During the show they are responsible for calling cues to crew running sound, lights, and backstage sets.

Letting it Roll Off

The stage manager has to have a thick skin and maintain professional distance. While everyone else worries the stage manager remains a face of calm. It is not allowed for them to be "in cahoots" with anyone. They cannot take sides, no matter their personal feelings, in any "drama" that might crop up.

Sources:

Fazio, Larry, Stage Manager: The Professional Experience Focal Press, 2000.

Monteiro, Amanda "Theatre stage manager: Job description and activities" Feb 2009, accessed June 2011 ww2.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/theatre_stage_manager_job_description.jsp