The Role of the Stage Manager
There are various interpretations of a Stage Manager’s role, depending on the type of theatre production being put on. The following information is generally what is required of an HDS stage manager and may differ from other theatrical company’s you have worked with before.
- Stage Managers will be invited to attend Production meetings with theatre/performance space staff, the set builder and the director.
- Stage Managers should acquaint themselves with any performance space if this is not already known to them (for example The Studio theatre in Harrogate Theatre).
Rehearsals
- Attend all rehearsals when the Director requires you.
- Liaise with the Director and performance space staff to create a lighting and sound plot.
- Sound is usually created using Audacity app
- Lighting plots are created prior to going into the theatre but can be subject to change depending on the Directors choices and lighting availability once in the space.
- Sound is then transferred into Go Button on the HDS iPad
- Sound is run from Go Button on the HDS iPad. The location of the iPad will be advised by a committee member.
- Be at rehearsals to run sound using the iPad and speaker connected to it, as soon as Director needs it.
- Support the Director in all aspects of getting the show into the theatre.
Show week
- Ensure that the cast and backstage team are aware of information relating to the theatre on the week of performance:-
- Gaining entry to the theatreLocation of the signing in sheetPerformance timesLatest time for cast and crew check in at the theatre
- Arrangements for transfer of costumes
- Liaise with the theatre regarding a signing in sheet
- Liaise with the theatre regarding staff to run either lighting or sound from the back of the auditorium. If no-one is available, a member of HDS will be required to run them both.
- Liaise with the theatre regarding appropriate H&S information.
- Arrange suitable transport for taking scenery and props to the theatre.
- This is usually Arthur Timmins but he is not always available.
- If necessary, contact a Committee member for a list of suitable alternatives.
- Organise the ‘get in’ and ‘get out’ supervising the loading and transport of furniture, flats, props and costume as required.
- Organise volunteers to help with actors ‘quick changes’ if required.
For Studio Productions
- View the sound and lighting booth and be shown how to use the various decks.
- Check with the Theatre what is being performed in the Main House as this may affect the speed of the ‘get out’.
- Ensure the Green Room is clear at the end of the run.
Main House Productions
- Liaise with theatre technicians in advance if any specialist equipment is required such as microphone headsets, smoke machines, specialised lighting etc.
- Be available on ‘get in’ day to supervise stage building team (usually the team from HDS)
- Agree a PIN number for the dressing room corridor with the Theatre staff
- Advise cast and backstage crew of the PIN number for the dressing room corridor
- Work with the engineers in the theatre and director to create the lighting and sound plots
- Allocate dressing rooms to cast – print dressing room allocation sheets for each door
- Ensure the cast are all present before each performance
- Run the technical and dress rehearsals
- Run the show from ‘the corner’ calling all lighting and sound cues to the sound and lighting engineers at the back of the auditorium
- Ensure that all dressing rooms and the stage areas are clear at the end of the run.
Alternative performance spaces
- As per all of the above following a viewing the alternative performance space with the set builder and director.