STAGE MANAGEMENT GENERAL INFORMATION Stage Managing does come with an elevated time commitment, and even includes some work time outside of rehearsals, unlike standard teching. Here's an overview of the time and responsibility commitment of the stage management team, generally and hopefully made of 2-3 people working together:
-Attend every rehearsal possible (try to make sure that at least someone on the team is present at every rehearsal) -Arrive a few minutes early to help set up (generally 10-15 min) and stay a little late (10-15 min) to help clean up/shut down -Take organized notes during rehearsals on blocking, tech requirements, etc. as given by the director (requires focus and not spending time talking with friends/doing other work) -Deliver time calls as asked for by the director (time breaks, tell the director what time it is or how long it has been if asked) -Be "on" during breaks and find moments to take breaks when not needed by the director -Be responsible, efficient, and on task even when no one is giving you direct instructions or supervising you to make sure things get done -Make general announcements to the entire cast -Run music during general rehearsals -Run the video camera during rehearsal to make sure that choreography and blocking is captures and can be rehearsed by the cast on their own time -Compile detailed props lists, costume change lists, scenic requirements lists, scene change lists using the script, notes taken from the director during rehearsal, etc. -Take initiative- notice things that need to be done and do them without being asked (everything from taking out the trash to organizing backstage) -Compile, edit, and teach the scene shift sheet to stage crew -Compile sound lists -Create a prompt book (includes two scripts- a blocking script with full blocking for the show (NOT choreography, just blocking and sometimes formations), and the second script is a cue script that has how the show is called- sound cues, spotlight cues, some light cues, etc.) -Meet with the director/WSPA team outside of rehearsal hours for production meetings, to review scene shift sheet and cue timings, etc (generally 2-4 meetings total over the course of a show) -Attend every tech rehearsal and every show -Pull and organize props and props tables -Set up and label everything backstage and help the director choreograph set movement and scene changes -Rehearse scene changes with techs- run the team of techs and lead them -Mark and label all set pieces on and backstage with spike tape -Maintain spikes throughout tech/show run -Assist with strike -Other duties as asked for by the director
Roles: 1-2 members of the stage management team will be backstage, on headset, during the production running all scene changes and solving problems as they arise 1 member of the stage management team (typically the head Stage Manager, if there is one) will be in the booth, overseeing the show, calling all sound and some light/spotlight cues, and solving problems as they arise.
This is an unpaid position but you do earn volunteer hours, and most troupe directors will award you Thespian hours for this type of role as well.
If Stage Managing at WSPA this spring sounds like something you are interested in being a part of, please fully answer the following questions! We look forward to reading your application!
