Feb 29, 2012 not just to remind you, but in case something happens, someone else will be able to read and understand your blocking notations. In rehearsals the stage manager also records all blocking, plus all the light, sound and set change cues, in a master copy of the script called the prompt book. If they get involved in reading a book, checking their email, or even catnapping, they could easily miss a cue if not reminded. Download our preshow, run of show, postshow, expendables, and hospitality checklists for stage managers. There are many distinct differences, but they are always a team. For a refresher on the characteristics of a good stage manager, take a look at the book stage management by lawrence stern. The stage manager sm is the righthandman or woman to the director. Actors should be alert to where props are placed, light cues happen, etc. If you would like to propose a revision to this handbook, please email the production manager. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to. Cue tips, stage management for high school theatre.
Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible youtube. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible. Follow these steps and your stage manager will be ready to go in no time. Given about a minute prior to the cue and gives time for crew members to get ready and make sure. The official production book prepare the production book so that it is an accurate record of the production. How to make a prompt book, paperwork, prompt book, prompt script, rehearsal reports, show bible, stage managing. Stage manager notes it in the prompt book for future reference. Lets take a look at some common duties and responsibilities of the stage manager.
If the production is big enough, a stage manager may use assistant stage managers to be their eyes and ears in places they cant go so that they can tell their assistants when to call a cue to a cast or crew member. The stage manager is the chief liaison between the artists, production vendors, the venue, and or the festival promoter. In richard southerns 1940 book, proscenium and sightlines, he contends that if an adequate system of signaling could be maintained between the electrician and the stagemanager, the stage manager could sit in the back of the house, which provided them with a better view of the stage. Aug 21, 2018 in richard southerns 1940 book, proscenium and sightlines, he contends that if an adequate system of signaling could be maintained between the electrician and the stagemanager, the stage manager could sit in the back of the house, which provided them with a better view of the stage. Each of the designers lighting, sound, scenic, costumes meet with the stage manager to discus lighting and sound cues, costume changes and movement of the scenery, which the stage manager writes in the prompt book.
The prompt book, also called transcript, the bible or sometimes simply the book, is the copy of a production script that contains the information necessary to create a theatrical production from the ground up. Billy rose theatre division, the new york public library. The show must go on is a common phrase in the theatre world, and a stage manager is one of the crucial people who ensures that the show does go on. Far more than just calling cues, the stage managers position starts months before rehearsal and continues at 110% throughout the run, maintaining the.
The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score containing all the actor moves and technical cues and is used by the deputy stage manager to run. Accept responsibility keep their cool keep their eyes and ears open and know when to share their opinions. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Deputy stage manager dsm in the uk, the dsm is often on the book that is, they are in charge of calling all of the technical and actor cues during the show, usually using a headset communications system andor a system of cue lights.
When he was playing fiyero in wicked on broadway, he totally blew one of his. Stage manager cue sheet template stage manager cue sheet template,stage manager budget sheet,props plot template,stage cue excel,stage manager cue sheet,stage manager sheet template,stage manager templates,stagemanagement cue sheet. And even when a stage manager says, places, some actors still space. The member of stage management often the dsm cueing the show is said to be. How stage managers shepherd tech rehearsals dramatics.
If for any reason you find yourself unable to call a show, the assistant stage manager or any other qualified person should be able to pick up your prompt book and call the show in your absence. It is generally associated with theatre and the film industry. Its sometimes known as the book, prompt copy or prompt script. The back stage guide to stage management, 3rd edition. With any luck, you were provided with cue lists from the designers that allowed you to write cue sequences into your promptbook before the beginning of tech. How to become a good stage manager with pictures wikihow. The back stage guide to stage management, 3rd edition by. Oct 27, 2018 the prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. The stage manager also works with the technical designer in creating sets that match the directors needs and then finding the most efficient way for crew to change the sets quickly during the performance.
Lights are placed backstage in areas visible to those needing the cue, and a relay station in the stage managers booth allows them to turn each light on and off. As with many aspects of stage management, consistency is key. With these improvements, the prompter transitioned from. Technical rehearsals are for technical considerations. Stage management handbook v4 west virginia university.
Cue tips, stage management for high school theatre elizabeth ward on. How to make a prompt book stage manager, theatre stage. The sm will provide support to the directors from the very beginning of the production at auditions through the final rehearsal. The stage manager conducts each performance by calling cues. It essentially provides a virtual running cue sheet with an info view for artists currently on stage. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to coordinate with the onstage action. In the world of professional theatre, the stage manager is one of the most important players. The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains. He or she must have a working knowledge of how the various technical aspects of the theater work scenery, props, costumes, lights and sound, be part director, part playwright, part designer and part producer, and be prepared to act as confidant, counselor and confessor to everyone else in the company. This system of colored lights allows a stage manager to communicate warning, standby, and go commands to both actors and technicians without audible communication. Once the run of the show has begun, the stage manager is in control of everything that happens backstage or onstage. Generally a lead stage manager will keep the master book, which is then.
The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed. The stage manager can take this home with all pertinent information to the production regarding schedules, conflicts, future fitting and meeting requests and todos, and leave the blockingcall scripts at the theatre. As a student, the sm has the most important responsibilities of the production. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues, and is used by the deputy stage manager to run rehearsals and later, control the performance. The stage manager and the technical director also work out a smooth and efficient plan for the stage crew to follow during. All lighting, sound, and other technical cues are listed here, but blocking typically is not. Outline the change you purpose and the reason for this proposal. Put on a stage crew intercom headset and listen to stage manager, mark stevens, calling some of the lighting, follow spot and set cues for the san diego reps musical production of hairspray. Somewhere along the way pick up a copy of cue tips by elizabeth ward.
Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. This means the sm follows the show in the prompt book and tells the light board operator and the sound board operator when to execute a cue. Not just to remind you, but in case something happens, someone else will be able to read and understand your blocking notations. Please note that job descriptions vary considerably from theatre to theatre. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal process and coordinating communications among various production teams and personnel. Sm log book a place to write down notes throughout the production process.
The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. When you ask what a stage manager does, the answer is almost everything. There is a lot to be said for the old way of making a prompt book. The prompt book should contain all blocking notation in addition to cue and warn marks. The stage manager is the renaissance man of the theater. The stage manager also takes notes each night on aspects of the performance to distribute to actors and production departments. About the back stage guide to stage management, 3rd edition. Jul 23, 2010 put on a stage crew intercom headset and listen to stage manager, mark stevens, calling some of the lighting, follow spot and set cues for the san diego reps musical production of hairspray. Every light, sound, and actor cue is set up by the stage manager and physically called. On a side note i recently put together a new prompt script for a show that started rehearsals this week and it was fun to have this post on my mind as i was putting things together. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues, and is used by the deputy stage manager to run. The next best thing to shadowing a broadway stage manager, this detailed, behindthescenes book as been brought completely up to date. The most widely used manual for aspiring and veteran stage managers now revised and expanded the next best thing to shadowing a broadway stage manager, this detailed, behindthescenes book as been brought completely up to date.
Lois september 22, 2010 theatre blocking, cues, cuing, how to make a prompt book, paperwork, prompt book, prompt script, rehearsal reports, show bible, stage managing. Stage managers cue sheet new york public library digital collections. Its the perfect handbook for beginning stage managers. Stage manager film and tv jobs in the entertainment. Stage management is an art that is learned through extended study, mentoring, and experience. First published in 1991, it is widely used and has been lauded as the most comprehensive, educational book on stage management available. It is a compilation of all blocking, business, light, speech and sound cues, lists. Unfortunatly, there is no accepted format for the distribution of scripts electronically, which basically means that there is no dedicated stage management tool. How to prepare a stage managers prompt book theatrefolk. Cues are generally given by the stage manager as a verbal signal over the headset system or backstage intercom, by a signal with a cue light or by a show control system. The stage manager and the technical director, designer, and properties master work out a smooth and. Its a great collection of checklists and and examples of all the paperwork a stage manager needs. His eight points explain perfectly what makes a good stage manager the best. It must be prepared in advance of the first rehearsal, so the stage manager is ready to go right away.
A cue taken y a technician from the action on stage rather than being cued by the stage manager. Take joey mcintyre yes, from nkotb, aka your 80s boy band crush. Find the best templates free word excel pdf documents docs psd xls rtf docx. The dsm is often also in rehearsal working with the director to prepare the prompt book. This one is based on an actual job description for a community theatre stage manager, and should be edited to match thetherefore needs of a particular company. Put on a stagecrew intercom headset and listen to stage manager, mark stevens, calling some of the lighting, follow spot and set cues for the san diego reps musical production of hairspray. A stage managers role in executing productive tech rehearsals. They can be necessary for a lighting change or effect, a sound effect, or some sort of stage or set movementchange. Theatre stage managers coordinate all aspects of a theatre production to ensure the successful delivery of the performance as a theatre stage manager youll manage rehearsals, actors, technicians, props and costume fittings, and liaise with frontofhouse staff and the director. Oct 06, 2018 the show must go on is a common phrase in the theatre world, and a stage manager is one of the crucial people who ensures that the show does go on. During performances, the stage manager runs the book, which means he uses the prompt book to cue lights, sound and set changes.
How stage managers shepherd tech rehearsals dramatics magazine. The prompt book should be neat, organized, and kept up to date. Traditional and new methods for running a show from first rehearsal to last performance kindle edition by thomas a. A theatrical cue is the trigger for an action to be carried out at a specific time. How to make a prompt book resources for stage managers. Stage management handbook 6 remember that each director is unique in the details of their process but each will expect the stage manager to manage rehearsals, know the show in detail and offer support in the process. An asm gives the necessary assistance to a stage manager because they cant possibly do it all. For example, an asm can be on book during rehearsals as they say it, while the actors are off book and while the stage manager is doing something else. The general manager and active production chair will enter all approved changes. Stage manager is meant to help stage usage managing between cues artists in venues consisting of multiple events rehearsal, performance etc.
194 1316 916 638 1136 926 59 614 448 331 553 470 1550 1177 968 779 877 1070 1429 682 605 823 687 1215 1091 104 117 51 428 1202