My Specialism

My Specialism

I have decided for the show Animal Farm, I want to take up the role of DSM (Deputy stage manager). As DSM is part of the stage management team, I’ve decided to research the full stage management role, Which I have attached below.

Stage Manager

(Elkin, 2018)

A stage manager job is to communicate with the director, technical director, assistant director and cast. They also oversee all technical crews during performances. The stage manager is the liaison between the director and technical crew, which allows for them to become a clear line of communication between all the different production departments. Depending on the size of the company, the stage manager might “call” the show and is also responsible for the smooth running of the show. The stage manager is also the person who has to fill out all the paperwork for the show and they also take notes of props. Some of the other responsibilities of a stage manager includes setting up and running rehearsal schedules, arranging costume and wig fittings, managing the props, supervising the 'get in' to the theatre, when the set, lighting and sound are installed, and the 'get out', when all the equipment is removed and liaising with resident staff at other performance venues (if touring). (Graduate Prosects Ltd, 2017)

Some of the different techniques that are used by a stage manager include clear communication, it is vital that a stage manager has clear communication because they are the person that connects all the different technical departments to each other. They also have to have clear communication with the cast, so they know exactly what is happening all the time. Another technique that a stage manager uses is teamwork. This is very important for this role as they are constantly working with other team members to achieve whatever needs doing for their performance.

One thing a Stage Manager has to do is plan everything, they have to be ready for anything to happen. That’s why often most stage managers have a box with anything you can think of in it. Some of the different items in a stage managers box include post-it notes, staples, markers, first aid kits, batteries, mini torches and safety pins. Stage managers are also in charge of creating the prompt book for a production, therefore they have to do a lot of planning before a show to get all the correct documents into the book. The role of stage manager also includes creating schedules for the actors during the rehearsals/tech rehearsals, they also have to resolve any conflicts on the cast's schedules.

Some of the different equipment that stage managers use include comms (Communication Systems) that allow the crew to all talk to each other during the show. The main use of comms is so the DSM (Deputy Stage Manager) can call all the different technical cues during the show. Another important item of equipment that a stage manager uses is their prompt book, which is also referred to as the “bible” by some stage managers. The prompt book gets its name “bible” because of how important it is to the show. This book includes all the different important information including cast and crew lists, fire procedures, blocking script, cueing script and rehearsal/production meeting reports.

Bibliography

Graduate Prosects Ltd. (2017, 02). Graduate Prosects Ltd. Retrieved from Graduate Prosects Ltd: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/theatre-stage-manager
Elkin, S. (2018). How to choose the right stage management training for you. Available: https://www.thestage.co.uk/advice/2017/choose-right-stage-management-training/. Last accessed 25th April 2018.