The Stage Manager's Toolkit: Templates and Communication Techniques to Guide Your Theatre Production from First Meeting to Final Performance(The Focal Press Toolkit Series)

The Stage Manager’s Toolkit provides a comprehensive account of the role of the stage manager for live theatre with a focus on both written and verbal communication best practices. The book outlines the duties of the stage manager and assistant stage manager throughout a production, discussing not only what to do but why. The book identifies communication objectives for each phase of production, paperwork to be created, and the necessary questions to be answered in order to ensure success. This book was written for Stage Management courses in Theatre programs and for the working professional.

Table of Contents:
TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword by David Grindle Acknowledgments Preface to the Second Edition Introduction: The Stage Manager as Communicator Chapter 1: AVENUES OF COMMUNICATION Face-to-Face Communication Written Communication Chapter 2: PRINCIPLES OF DOCUMENT DESIGN Identifying Your Audience Page Layout Fonts Color and Shading Accessibility Continuity What’s in a Name? Ready to Begin Chapter 3: PRE-PRODUCTION Given Circumstances The Calendar Analyzing the Production The Character/Scene Breakdown Meeting with the Director Meeting the Production Team The Prop List Specialty Charts Auditions The Contact Sheet Thinking about the SM Team Next Steps Chapter 4: THE PROMPT BOOK Organizing the Prompt Book Preparing the Prompt Script The Script for the Musical Ready for Launch Chapter 5: REHEARSALS First Rehearsal Table Work Music and Dance Rehearsals Blocking The Daily Call Conflicts Fittings The First Run-Through Organizing Yourself Scene Work The Rehearsal Report Production Meetings Adding the Elements Updating Paperwork Rehearsals for Dance Concluding Time in the Hall Chapter 6: TECHNICAL REHEARSALS Creating the Tech Schedule Types of Tech Rehearsals Preparing for Tech Technology for the Stage Manager Delegation Working with the Crew The Preset List More About Prop Tables The Shift Plot Paperwork Variations The Costume Plot Cueing Partnership with the Musical Director Tech for Dance The Art of It All Stepping Up to Run the Show Rehearsal Reports during the Tech Period Chapter 7: PERFORMANCES Previews Refining Your Routine Opening Night Working with Front-of-House The Performance Report Changing Personnel Maintaining the Artistic Integrity of Your Show Working with Understudies Emergency Plans and Problem-Solving Chapter 8: NEXT STEPS Moving the Production The End of the Line—Or Is It? The Post Mortem Chapter 9: TEACHING STAGE MANAGEMENT Overall Philosophy Curriculum Practical Experiences The Introductory Course Advanced Study Evaluation and Grading Learning On Your Own EPILOGUE APPENDIX Actors’ Equity Association The Stage Manager’s Kit Emergency Announcements More Paperwork Web Resources Suggested Reading Notes Author Biography Index

About the Author :
Laurie Kincman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, heading the undergraduate emphases in stage management and arts administration. She also serves as the department’s production manager. Her professional credits as a stage manager and production manager include work with the Old Globe Theatre, Malashock Dance & Company, Shakespeare Festival/LA, Opera Pacific, the California Ballet Company, American Stage Festival, and for choreographers Jessica Iwanson and Donald McKayle. Laurie is a member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, the Production Managers Forum, the Stage Managers Association, the Association for Arts Administration Educators, and Actors’ Equity Association.