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

As a Stage Manager, you are responsible for organizing rehearsals, running performances, and keeping everyone and everything on track and in sync. To do the job well, you need to be a communication wizard—able to collect a wide range of details and share them as effectively as possible. The Stage Manger’s Toolkit is more than another overview book which generalizes how to be a Stage Manager. It presents the day-to-day duties in detail—discussing not only what to do but also why. Focusing on communication best practices, the book explores objectives, paperwork, and the questions that need to be asked in order to ensure a smooth production whether on Broadway, at a university, or somewhere in between. Introduces strategies for sharing information both in person and in writing Explores how document design can enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of your reports, charts, and lists Contains principles for web-based information sharing as well as hard-copy paperwork Provides customizable paperwork templates on the accompanying website, allowing you to put the ideas to work on your own show Other features: Organized based on the chronology of a typical theatre production: pre-production work, rehearsals, the tech period, performances, and post-production duties. In each section, the book outlines the objectives for the stage manager and the communication techniques that will ensure success. Provides examples of paperwork a stage manager commonly works with, including variations for plays and musicals, shortcuts for shows on an abbreviated time table, and strategies for maintaining consistency and legibility. The book highlights differences the stage manager may encounter when working on professional and academic productions.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: The Stage Manager as the Communicator An introduction to the text which outlines how the book is organized and what the reader will learn. The book sequentially introduces each phase of the life of a theatrical production and the stage manager's key tasks during that time. Following that overview, the book explores the key communication techniques at play during that time and demonstrates how and why to use them. Chapter One: Elements of Document Design The basics of visual composition are outlined, introducing key concepts and terms that will be used throughout the book. What Is Document Design and Why Do I Care About It? Basic Terms and Concepts Identifying Your Audience Layout Fonts and Logos Color Accessibility Continuity Chapter Two: Avenues of Communication Encouraging the stage manager to think about how information will be shared, and considerations for both content and format based on delivery methods Theatre Callboard Email On the Web Face to Face Chapter Three: Pre-Production Covering the time from getting the job to the start of rehearsals THE JOB: investigating the script, meeting the director and design team, organizing the initial details, and participating in the audition process. Discussion includes where to look for information, what to ask, and how to find out about your theatre's procedures. Calendar Character/Scene Breakdown Contact Sheet Prop List Production Analysis/Other Cue Sheets Audition Materials Chapter Four: The Rehearsal Period Covering the period from the first rehearsal until the show moves into the theatre THE JOB: keeping everyone on the same page, facilitating discoveries in the rehearsal hall, and sharing those discoveries with personnel not in attendance. Discussion includes running rehearsals and meetings, taking blocking, creating reports, and following up on questions and details in person. Organizing Yourself Actor Packets Rehearsal Reports Prompt Script Blocking Symbols & Key Calls and Schedules Fittings Line Notes Line Changes Internal paperwork Meetings & Agendas Show-Specific Needs Chapter Five: Technical Rehearsals Covering the days or weeks in which the technical elements and crew are integrated into the production THE JOB: Moving to the theatre, training the crew, adding all the design elements, calling cues. Discussion includes getting everything out of your head and onto paper, preparing for changes, and being in charge. Preset List Shift Plot Costume Plot Run Sheet Calling Key Chapter Six: Performances Previews, opening and beyond THE JOB: maintaining the vision of the director and designers after opening and handling problems during the run of the show. Discussion includes giving notes, planning for emergencies, and keeping yourself and everyone else consistent. Performance Reports Understudy Chart Emergency Plots and Information Chapter Seven: What's Next? Closing the show or moving to a new location THE JOB: responsibilities at the end of a production, and how to prepare for a show that may remount or move onto a new venue. Discussion includes revisiting your paperwork to incorporate the "why," and making sure your work passes the bus test. Appendix Other information as needed, possibly including AEA definitions and contract excerpts, supplemental lists or examples supporting discussion items, etc