Stage Manager

The most active theatre company in Cheltenham

THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE, BATH ROAD, CHELTENHAM, GL53 7HG

STAGE MANAGEMENT/SET BUILDER

STAGE MANAGER

   •     To effect/manage the running of each performance in the theatre (performances include on-stage rehearsals, as well as those to an audience).

   •        A Risk Assessment of each show is required by the Theatre Committee – pro-formas are provided for this.

Role & Responsibilities

The Stage Manager is In overall charge of the theatre from approx 1 hour before each performance until after the last person involved has left. He/She must:

   •     Ensure the theatre and all required areas within it are open and accessible e.g. fire doors, emergency escape routes, dressing rooms, scenery and props stores, lighting and sound operators’ places.

          •        Make sure the performance is ready to go: check all required people are present e.g. Front of House Manager, Lighting and Sound Operators, Props and Stage Crew, Cast, Prompt, Orchestra (if applicable); and to check scenery and props are in the right places, lights are on and curtains closed (if appropriate).

          •        Get the performance started as near the correct time as possible.

          •        Make sure the performance runs smoothly e.g. giving cues and instructions to technicians and checking cast are on stage in good time for their entrances.

          •        Handle any problems and emergencies.

          •        Report any accidents and health & safety issues.

          •        Lock up and put out the lights.

          •        At the end of the run, ensure all scenery etc. is removed, and that the theatre is ready to receive the next show. On the last night, it is usual for the Stage Manager to request that all cast and crew be at the theatre on the Sunday morning to clear everything away and clean up, by 1pm.

          •        It is important that all items being returned understage be put back in the correct places to maintain the tidiness and accessibility of storage.

          •        Sunday handover (usually 1pm): please sign the sheet with the incoming Stage Manager. If you know you are going to complete before 1pm, then please liaise with incoming Stage Manager and Theatre Handover Representative.

          •        The SM is to ring/inform the Box Office on the morning of the opening night, to give the times of interval and show end.

Liaise with:

The Front of House Manager.

Everybody involved with the performance.

How?:

   •     The opening and closing of the theatre can be handled by anyone with sufficient knowledge of the theatre.

     •        The running of the show requires knowledge of the particular play (or musical). Absolute minimum input to gain this knowledge is attendance at rehearsals of the complete play and use of ‘The Book’, which is a copy of the script in which is written all essential cues and other instructions you need.

   •        Stage Managers will sometimes be willing to assist with set building.

•        You will need to organise a backstage crew to assist with any scene changes etc.

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Will assist the Stage Manager in the setting up and running of the show, liaising with the Director and Production Secretary. This is a very good way of learning the ropes and getting to know everyone involved.

How?

   •     By attending rehearsals to gain a thorough knowledge of all aspects of the production e.g. where cues are needed, cast entrances and exits, and act as the back-stage eyes and ears on what the Director is doing.

          •        Make up ‘The Book’ by writing in everything that is needed to make the performance run smoothly and as the Director intends.

          •        To follow instructions written in The Book during performances e.g. issuing cues to cast and crew as necessary.

Liaise with:

Everybody.

SET BUILDER / STAGE CARPENTER

To deliver on stage a completed set to the Designer’s specification.

How?

   •     By attending early production meetings with the Director, Designers and Managers of the backstage teams, to establish the requirements of the production.

          •        Being aware of the theatre stock of materials and advising on what is or is not possible; and advising on costs for the budget.

          •        If the designer does not do it, to make detailed stage plans of the entire set and the items to be constructed.

          •        Agree boundaries with the props team.

          •        Acquire materials either from stock or by purchasing.

          •        During the 2-3 weeks prior to the first night, organise the assembling of all scenery (flats and rostra) and other specialist items in the theatre workshop.

          •        On ‘fit-up’ day (usually the Sunday before the show opens) erect the scenery.

          •        Show the Stage Manager and Crew how it works - if there are moving parts or scene changes.

Desirable skills:

Carpentry.

Knowledge and understanding of the facilities of the theatre.

Liaise with:

Designer, Director, Stage Manager, Props Team, Company Treasurer.

Assistance

It is usual and recommended that you have a number of assistants to help with the set building; minimum requirement is knowing which is the business end of a screwdriver, a hammer and a saw. Additional carpentry skills are a bonus.

STAGE CREW

To move scenery during the course of the performances.

Will usually be the people who have assisted in the set-building.

General Information from The Playhouse Theatre:

STAGE MANAGEMENT

The theatre does not insist on all stage managers having prior experience of working at The Playhouse. However, as the SM is responsible for the security and safety of everyone and everything in the auditorium during performance, we do insist that anyone who has not stage managed here before is walked through the process by our resident stage manager, John Cogzell (or other experienced SM arranged by John). If your SM is new to the theatre, please contact us well in advance of production so this ‘training’ can be arranged.

MAINTENANCE ISSUES

There is a green hardback notebook marked maintenance in the stage manager’s corner. It would be very useful if stage managers or technicians could make notes of any problems they discover during the run and that they cannot fix themselves to enable us to try and keep on top of things (even if it is merely blown bulbs). We can’t ensure everything will get sorted immediately but at least this way we may actually know of a problem a bit sooner!

LIGHTING AND SOUND BALCONIES

For structural reasons, no more than three people may be on either of the balconies at the same time.

FOOD AND DRINK BACKSTAGE

Food and drink are not permitted backstage - either the whole stage area, SM Corner or the balconies. This is because glasses and bottles would be left where they could easily be knocked over and broken. This does not affect the dressing rooms.

CRASH DOORS

The crash doors in the dressing room area of the complex are a fire exit and must remain closed throughout the performance. The padlocks and chains should also be removed (but the doors closed) from all three sets of crash doors (foyer, dressing room and vestibule) whenever the auditorium is being used, not just for performance, but during get-ins, rehearsals or set builds in case of the need for emergency evacuation by cast and crew.

REHEARSAL ROOMS AND FIRE DOORS

Any door marked as a fire door must not be propped open and the corridors either side of room 4 should be left clear of chairs at all times.

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