Choose styles that clearly indicate specific advantages or disadvantages of each document. Resources for stage managers set design theatre, stage design, stage. The stage manager s toolkit by laurie kincman one of the most important roles in any theatrical production is that of the stage manager. For a refresher on the characteristics of a good stage manager, take a look at the book stage management by lawrence stern. Students will learn how to create a prompt book and will receive handouts covering the responsibilities of a theatrical stage manager. How to prepare a stage managers prompt book theatrefolk. There is a lot to be said for the old way of making a prompt book. Stage management is an art that is learned through extended study, mentoring, and experience. This is page was created as reference material for the usitt 2011 charlotte conference session sm paper trail rides again.
Students will learn how to analyze a script and live show. The sm should be one of the most informed and knowledgeable people in the production staff. They are the lines of communication between actors, director, designers, technical staff, and front of house exc. There are side notes with definitions, sample prompt book pages, diagrams, etc. The spreadsheet is set up for 15 ballots in this case, actors plus 2 stage managers. But essentially they all have one function in common. Queen elinor seated on a stool, on the kings r right. For further information on department of theatre majors or the minor, email debra gambino. The production paperwork provided below will provide insight into my stage management process from auditions to performances, and illustrate the various templates i use depending on specific requirements of a production.
Make a prompt book o on the inside cover of the binder, place your name, address, telephone number and the. This paperwork is available to modify and use for production work at the university of iowa. There is also a great section in the back of sample forms. For example, ch is a circle is charles, vn in a circle is vinnie, and so on. Examples of recent department show prompt books are available from the chairs office. If for any reason you find yourself unable to call a show, the assistant stage manager or any other qualified person should be able to pick up your prompt book and call the show in your absence. How to prepare a stage manager s prompt book kayla e decoration how to prepare a stage manager s prompt book one of the stage manager s most important tasks is to create and maintain the prompt book sometimes known as the show bible which is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. As laurie kincman writes in the stage manager s toolkit, information is not a commodity. How to make a prompt book stage manager, theatre stage. Actors also do more than cross from one side of the stage to the other. First, using a scale ruler, measure the floorplan, making careful notations of the sizes of the platforms. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible youtube. They are kept with their costumes in the dressing room and are the actors responsibility as well.
Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal process and coordinating communications among various production teams and personnel. Outline the change you purpose and the reason for this proposal. How to make a prompt book resources for stage managers. Notes made by the owner of the prompt book who could be a stage manager, an actor or any other theatrical professional to give further guidance about how a scene should be performed, how actors should deliver lines, where they should be positioned etc. Follow these steps and your stage manager will be ready to go in no time. The prompt book should be neat, organized, and kept up to date.
Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible. Stage props list, example of props list free download. Its been requested, so i go through what i have in one of my prompt books for a show. This means that i now often have a separate calling script and blocking script as the page numbers and line numbers no longer match up once i input the visual cues. Prompt books come in all shapes and sizes, designed for slightly different purposes or for use by people in different roles within the theatre.
His eight points explain perfectly what makes a good stage manager the best. Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. Assistant stage manager asm usually shortened to asm, the assistant stage manager is the most junior member of the stage management team, and is often in charge of sourcing and running properties during the run of a show. Use of theatre during performances sm guidelines 19. How to become a good stage manager with pictures wikihow.
Stage managers sm make notes of all changes in the prompt book script, so check your list with theirs. A job description from thomas kellys book on stage management from his class at rutgers mason school of the arts. As the ballots are anonymous, the numbers 115 mean simply the order in which you open the ballots. The stage manager and the technical director, designer, and properties master work out a smooth and. In modern theatrical productions, the prompt book is generally maintained and kept by the stage manager, with differences in the specific construction and. Below are some paperwork templates that i have created, all are designed to be customizable. During performances, the stage manager runs the book, which means he uses the prompt book to cue lights, sound and set changes. This is a page that we can post templates for different paperwork that stage managers generate. We want you to fully enjoy your involvement and to give you guidance as you take on this very important role within the production. Alumni of the stage management program at western michigan university have gone on to hold stage management positions in such theatres as lincoln center, norwegian pearl and the old globe theatre. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score containing all the actor. Stage managers also use this master script it contains to prompt actors if they forget lines during rehearsal.
Stage management handbook v4 west virginia university. Second, find the centerline of the rehearsal space and mark it with small strips. Your paperwork should demonstrate your organizational and management skills and might include things like prompt book pages, blocking notes, call sheets, rehearsal notes, communications, etc. Not just to remind you, but in case something happens, someone else will be able to read and understand your blocking notations. One of the stage managers most important tasks is to create and maintain the prompt book sometimes known as the show bible which is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. Paperwork examples in regards to paperwork, most stage managers borrow other peoples templates to start, and then customize as preferences develop. This is an example plus a very cute sm rubber duck.
The portfolio must be uploaded to your blue demon domain and must include examples of your stage management paperwork. These two positions involve support for both the director and the producers. Keeping it to yourself will only slow down the process. The lesson contains standard forms, language, and models for stage management. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed. This gives students a great idea of the type of workdocuments necessary, as well as all the many ways to complete them. The official production book prepare the production book so that it is an accurate record of the production. You should only write in the prompt book with pencil, because everything you write is bound to change at least once. Cte online lesson planner stage management for theater. The stage manager also takes notes each night on aspects of the performance to distribute to actors and production departments. Once a show goes up, i keep my prompt book at the theatre.
Check out why its good to keep these for future jobs and why its such an important tool for a. A copy of the script all blocking written into the script any research materials reactions to each rehearsal, including what the director has. This lesson plan is an introduction to stage management for theater. You will have to scour the internets for samples and templates and examples until. Its sometimes known as the book, prompt copy or prompt script. Some highly useful forms for stage managers, with instant access for printing through pdf format starting with an easy rehearsal signin sheet. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues, and is used by the deputy stage manager to run rehearsals and later, control the performance. Compare three samples of the following types of forms used by stage managers. The ptg stage manager s handbook adapted from the stage manager s handbook.
So, what does an assistant stage manager do, anyway. Included are samples of scene breakdowns, audition forms, prop lists, rehearsal schedules, rehearsal reports, scene changes, line notes, checklists, and performance reports. While i know some stage managers create these electronic calling scripts and then call the show from the screen, i still prefer to print out the document and put it into my prompt book. In regards to paperwork, most stage managers borrow other peoples templates to start, and then customize as preferences develop. A clearinghouse for information, the stage manager is responsible for. Sms make a prompt book, which is color coded down to the last detail.
In modern theatrical productions, the prompt book is generally maintained and kept by the stage manager, with differences in the specific construction and organization to suit the style of the stage manager keeping the book, and the type of production legitimate theatre. Below are a few of my favorite tips, tricks, and reminders for an efficient and productive tech. Im an old stage manager who hasnt stage managed in years did the producing thing for years, but now im back to calling a show. Unfortunatly, there is no accepted format for the distribution of scripts electronically, which basically means that there is no dedicated stage management tool. In the world of professional theatre, the stage manager is one of the most important players. After opening night, no further changes are made and the stage manager finalizes the prompt book, as shown in the example for native. Pass around the stage management binder if you have one it should be complete with examples of all the different necessary forms stage managers need for a show. Student directors need to document their process, including showing clearly the reasons for the directorial choices they have made. The primary prompt book should have any and all information about a production in it incase the director, producer, anyone needs information. Along with the materials outlined below, it would also include.
Personal props are items actors carry inside their costumes or wear, like pocket watches, keychains, pens, glasses, etc. It must be prepared in advance of the first rehearsal, so the stage manager is ready to go right away. How stage managers shepherd tech rehearsals dramatics. Angie renaldo, elanie walwrath, kim crawley, kate parker, ginnie sutfin, persephone slichter, ester emory, and ellen bredehoft. In rehearsals the stage manager also records all blocking, plus all the light, sound and set change cues, in a master copy of the script called the prompt book. Sample stage management paperwork this is page was created as reference material for the usitt 2011 charlotte conference session sm paper trail rides again. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to. Samples should show how the same information can be organized in three distinct ways.
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