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.
Seminar paper in the subject Theater Studies, Dance, grade: 5.0 (=A), Obafemi Awolowo University (Dramatic Arts), course: Stage Management, language: English, abstract: Welcome to the world behind the curtains, where every scene, every cue, and every emotion seamlessly weave together to create the magic of theatre. In the heart of this enchanting realm lies a crucial tool, often overlooked yet indispensable — the Prompt Book. Originally conceived as "Art and Science of Crafting a Comprehensive Prompt Book for Stage Plays and Dance Performances: A Guide for Stage Managers", this study by Gbenga Emmanuel Adeboye delves into the intricate artistry and practical methodologies of stage management, condensed and refined into the succinct title "Prompt Book: A Guide for Theatre Stage Managers". Imagine being handed a treasure map that guides you through the labyrinth of a theatrical production, ensuring that every actor's entrance, every lighting change, and every sound effect unfolds with precision and grace. This is the essence of the prompt book — a roadmap meticulously crafted by the stage manager, serving as the backbone of every successful performance. But why is this study essential? Why should every aspiring and seasoned stage manager alike delve into its pages? Firstly, the prompt book is not just a mere collection of notes; it is the lifeline of a production. It encapsulates the director’s vision, the actor’s journey, and the technical intricacies that breathe life into a performance. Without a well-prepared prompt book, chaos ensues, and the magic on stage falters. Secondly, "Prompt Book: A Guide for Theatre Stage Managers" goes beyond theory; it is a practical manual designed to empower stage managers with actionable insights. From creating a production bible (prompt book) to managing rehearsals, cueing sequences, and handling emergencies, this book navigates through the complexities of stage management in the simplest, most comprehensible manner.
Here is a practical, accessible introduction to one of the most complex jobs in theatre. Linda Apperson clearly and concisely leads the reader through the procedures and responsibilities of stage management, from auditions to closing night. What is “blocking”? How do you “call” a show? Who is the technical director, and why do you want him or her as your best friend? How can you tame (or endure) a prima donna? When is the best time to offer advice to the actors? Ms. Apperson answers these and countless other questions in a resource book that will become a constant companion for both the novice and the experienced theatre person. Especially useful is her attention to personal relationships among actors and crew. She insists that working to create an atmosphere of respect backstage will improve the show onstage, and she shows precisely how this is done, based upon her years of experience in managing the stage. Stage Managing and Theatre Etiquette includes samples of prompt scripts and other essential stage manager’s tools.
Stage Manager: the Professional Experience—Refreshed takes the reader through all aspects of the craft of stage management in theatre, from prompt books and technology to relationships and people management. Using interviews with other professional stage managers, the author provides a practical, experience-based guide for students and aspiring professionals alike, offering an extensive discussion of what makes a good stage manager and working through the life of a production.
Offers advice, for both professional and amateur stage managers, on putting on a show, discussing its three phases, and includes information on the organizational structure of theaters and how to manage human behavior
Good stage management is key to the smooth running of any theatrical production and, as technology continues to develop and regulations tighten, the responsibilities of the stage manager have never been greater. In this essential guide, Peter Maccoy examines the qualities and skills necessary for effective management, stressing the importance of understanding both the creative and the technical processes involved in theatre. From negotiating contracts through to rehearsals, performance and post-production, Essentials of Stage Management is packed with invaluable advice on every aspect of the job and every type of theatre.
In every theatrical production, a single indispensable person is responsible for ensuring that scenery, lighting, actors, directors, sound artists are in sync. Stage Manager: the Professional Experience takes the reader through all aspects of the craft of stage management, from prompt books and laptops to relationships and people management. It offers an extensive discussion of what makes a good stage manager, and takes the reader through each phase of a production from getting hired, to auditions and rehearsals, to the run and closing of the show. Using interviews with other professional stage managers, the author provides a practical, experience-based guide for students and aspiring professionals alike. The stage manager's role in each phase of the production is covered in detail. Working relationships, organizational tools, plans, charts, lists and forms, running auditions, cueing, touring, and the stages of rehearsal are just some of the many topics covered. An overview of the stage manager's working week provides a clear view of the many details involved in the smooth running of a production. A comprehensive working vocabulary offers an excellent reference for anyone working or hoping to work in this field.
The Stage Director’s Prompt Book is a step-by-step, detailed guide on how to create a practical and powerful rehearsal and performance tool—the director’s prompt book. A prompt book is a coordinating and organizational tool for the stage director. This book systematizes the creative process the director uses to analyze and interpret a play and coordinates all director-related rehearsal and production activities into a single, self-contained interpretive and organizational system. This book guides the director through the necessary steps and stages of creating and using a prompt book—from play analysis and interpretation, through the formation of a dynamic and theatrical director’s vision, to a unique method of physicalizing a play in production. A prompt book of a one-act play is included in the book as a complete example of the system. Such techniques as redlining, color coding and creating a three-column left-hand page are vividly illustrated for readers, allowing them to assemble their own prompt books. In a clear and example-driven format, The Stage Director’s Prompt Book offers a system of directorial interpretation that takes the director through a series of point-by point instructions to construct a strong, effective and creative instrument for success. For the undergraduate and graduate student of theatre directing, stage management and producing courses, along with aspiring professional directors, this book provides an interactive and intuitive approach to personalize the stage directing experience and assemble a graphically dynamic and creative director’s prompt book.
Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have literary masterpieces like Romeo and Juliet. But without Henry Condell and John Heminges, we would have lost half of Shakespeare’s plays forever! After the death of their friend and mentor, the two actors are determined to compile the First Folio and preserve the words that shaped their lives. They’ll just have to borrow, beg, and band together to get it done. Amidst the noise and color of Elizabethan London, THE BOOK OF WILL finds an unforgettable true story of love, loss, and laughter, and sheds new light on a man you may think you know.
