Week 2: Characteristics of a Good Stage Manager and Understanding the Script

Hello! This week I've read some more chapters in Stern and O'Grady, as well as started working on A Man for All Seasons. While our technical crew is still getting situated and the real work of building the show hasn't begun yet, I spent my time this week making some forms that we'll need once the show starts. I worked with the director and technical director to create the audition form we'll be using at auditions this Tuesday and Wednesday. On my own, I also created a cast sign-in form which I'll use at every rehearsal as well as a cast and crew contact sheet so everyone will be able to get in touch with each other once work on the show starts in a little over a week.

My reading this week covered chapters two and three in my book, the characteristics of a good stage manager and understanding the script. The chapter on the characteristics of a good stage manager impressed upon me the stage manager's overall responsibility for running the show. The responsibility extends from preproduction to the end of a show's run and afterwards, meaning that it is a good stage manager's job to expedite and manage everything from auditions to rehearsals to final dress to curtain call. A good stage manager will make sure everyone's time is being utilized in the most effective way so the show can be the best it can possibly be. A good stage manager is also prepared for any emergencies that might happen, from injuries to fires.

The chapter on understanding the script was very helpful. It described many different tools that will be useful to me in running the show, such as how to create and use the prompt script, identifying problems, or things that must be done to run the show, and the creation of various technical plots. These will all be tools I can use to make A Man for All Seasons run more smoothly from start to finish.

I will be back next week, when I'll be able to talk about the audition process and more from Stern and O'Grady!