Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager

Stage Manager:  The Role

The Stage Manager (SM) or Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) is key to creating an efficient and positive a production. Your ability to successfully lead and work with the company, although at times possibly stressful, will be of utmost importance. Your overall purpose is to work directly with the director, cast and production people to move a show from inception to closing. Aside from the obvious technical aspects of the positions, in many cases you will called to use human relations skills and diplomacy.

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Responsibilities

 

• Ensure safety of facility for rehearsals and production.

• Be familiar with operation of the stage, including items such as lights, sound system, air conditioning, etc.

• Attend all production meetings and help support tech staff to solve any problems.

• Read the script several times

• Make notes of set changes, lighting needs, special effects, sound needs, and any special rigging. Also, make notes of costume and make-up changes, especially those that happen back stage.

• Start to make notes on how to best move set pieces, as this will have an impact on number of running crew required.

• Arrange a meeting with the entire production staff to create a production schedule, in which each person’s tasks and deadlines are listed. Make sure that copies of the finished schedule are widely distributed.

• Work with director to build and communicate a rehearsal schedule that meets the needs of the director and production team, considering actor conflicts.

• Ensure cues and notes are in your book, should somebody have to cover for you.

• Encourage respect. Set a good example for everyone by being supportive to all.  Stageworks doesn't believe in belittling or condescending leadership styles. 

• If you have not already received it, create a list of phone numbers and or e-mails from all actors and crew.

• Arrive at least ½ hour before call time. The SM is always first to arrive for each rehearsal and last to leave.

• Set rehearsal space for rehearsal and ensure the space is cleaned up after rehearsal.

• Record all blocking 

• Ensure ongoing communication with design team.

• Ensure that everything and everyone to be ready to maintain the director's intentions once opened.

• Assist in the leadership of strike 

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Qualifications

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• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to lead and create a positive environment by setting the tone.

• A strong experience working in theatre - we are often willing to train people who have worked as actors or in another role in a show.

• organized.

• Ability to handle changing priorities and ambiguous situations.

• A basic understanding of technical aspects of a performance (costumes, make-up, lights, sound, props, set changes, and special effects).

• Someone with a firm, kind, polite, respectful, and calm manner who can encourage and lead a large number of people to achieve a high standard of backstage discipline.

• Extraordinary stamina and a sense of humor.