Department of Theatre and Dance

Description

The Stage Manager has a wide number and variety of responsibilities, which can be broken down into three primary categories:  handling the majority of the administrative duties related to a production, assisting the director during rehearsals, and being responsible for all backstage activity once the show opens.

Expectations

1. Attend all rehearsals and performances.
2. Create a master calendar of rehearsals, target dates and deadlines, and performances.
3. Conduct auditions with the director, including coordinating audition forms and information sheets.
4. Handle script distribution and collection.
5. Prepare cast and crew contact lists.
6. Tape the floor for scenery locations in the theatre (for rehearsals) and spike the scenery onstage in the theatre (for performances). This requires the
7. ability to read a scenic design ground plan.
8. Open and prepare theatre or rehearsal space for all rehearsals (includes sweeping and mopping the stage, pre-setting furniture and props, etc.).
9. Clean up after all rehearsals and performances spaces (includes returning props and furniture to storage as needed, backstage custodial duties, etc.). This can include cleaning up after actors, who should be directed to clean up after themselves. Anything they leave behind, stage managers must clean up, so police the space before actors leave and make sure they take their things with them.
10. Close and lock the theatre or rehearsal space after all rehearsals and performances, including turning off all lights (except for the ‘ghost light’) and closing and locking all doors.
11. Record director’s blocking in production book and assist actors with blocking as needed.
12. Take line notes when actors are off book and prompt actors as needed.
13. Assist the properties team and coordinate rehearsal props and furniture as necessary. This also includes creating and maintaining a master props list.
14. Chair production meetings.
15. Develop preset lists and running order lists.
16. Organize backstage storage areas for rehearsals and performances in cooperation with the technical director.
17. Write and distribute daily rehearsal, production meeting, and performance reports in a timely fashion.
18. Facilitate communication between production staff members as necessary for smooth production operations.
19. Record all deck cues, lighting cues, sound cues, etc. and stand-by’s in production book in advance of the first technical rehearsal.
20. Facilitate communication between production staff members and cast members as necessary, i.e. costume fittings, makeup orders, program proofing, etc.
21. Manage the production callboard, including sign-in sheets, and announcements.
22. Monitor actors’ attendance and punctuality for all rehearsals and performances and deliver all pre-show time calls.
23. Coordinate all scene shift rehearsals, technical, and dress rehearsals in cooperation with the director and other members of the production team.
24. Supervise the work (as needed) of technicians, deck hands, and board operators.
25. Organize and supervise special rehearsals for fight calls, dance combinations and special effects.
26. Call all cues during the run of the show including light, sound, and deck cues.

Online application for this position.