Please Help!!!! I'm the new stage manager.

[soundguy88]

Pleas help. My director just selected me as the new stage manger for our spring musical. I have always been the sound operator and this is a big step for me. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. [/u]

[Mayhem]

Hi Soundguy - SM is certainly not my area but in the time between now and when someone with the knowledge to help comes along, I suggest doing a forum search. I know there have been various discussions on this topic, so you should be able to find some useful posts.

Good luck!

[SuperCow]

Just read through the entire stage management section for all that has been said here. Keep that stuff in mind, trust your instincts, and never be afraid to assert yourself, and you should do fine, coupled with the knowledge you'll build up over the course of the build-up to the show.

[ccfan213]

Originally Posted by SuperCow

trust your instincts, and never be afraid to assert yourself, and you should do fine

^couldnt have said it better myself.
i too am a sound guy, but prior to tech week (and even during tech week) i help with sets etc. anyway, supercow is completely right it is all about asserting yourself and keeping control of the crew. there are probably people who know more than you about set building and stuff and let them use their knowledge but have you approve the design, dont be a dictator but be in control. confidence is important, it is your job to keep people organized!

[SuperCow]

The key to keeping other people organized is ot be organized yourself. Know what's going on at all times. The stage meneger should be one part control freak (know what your crew is doing at all times), one part spy (know what your crew is thinking, and root out any dissention) and two parts dicator. I know this sounds kind of Machiavellian, but it works!

[SuperCow]

The key to keeping other people organized is ot be organized yourself. Know what's going on at all times. The stage meneger should be one part control freak (know what your crew is doing at all times), one part spy (know what your crew is thinking, and root out any dissention) and two parts dicator. I know this sounds kind of Machiavellian, but it works!

[jwl868]

Organization is important. Lists of everything, schedules, but use pencil.

Search the web for Stage Manager - I found a few useful sites out there.

Go to the library - there are several stage management books out.

Remember, you can't do everything, so let people do their jobs. Since you are already involved, you probably already know who you can count on and who you have to watch.

Enjoy.


Joe

[megf]

Bearing in mind what has already been said - all great comments - be aware of what your specific needs are. What is said in some of the books, for example, does not apply to educational theater, so take it with a grain of salt. If you can roll with the punches - and keep the show on track - you're fine. Best of luck.

[who_touched_the_patch]

I think one of the most important things to remember is that the audience doesn't know what the shows supposed to look like.

If you do have a problem, accept the fact that a problem does exist, then try to find a way around it. NEVER (and I can't stress this enough) try to investigate a problem while a show is running - save it for a note session after the show.

And remember to look after your ASM. He/She'll LOVE you for it!

[ship]

the stage manager is a leader of people. Every leader has their own style to how they organize the work getting done and their own way of keeping it under control. In addition to the organizational and relyance skills when under your control, you must look deep into your self as to how and why you were trusted as this leader in keeping to your personal style of leadership and to the most adventagous method of extending that same leadership role you have already asserted into a more broad way of getting the job done on a larger aspect of it.

In other words, organize as you will, note what needs to be done both within your ability to supervise properly and not, but a good leader of people does not need to organize and specialize as much as communicate what they need to be done and by whome.

This especially becomes tricky if only a good tech person but not a leader of a crew. Still rely upon your style and what is most fair in balance with what's necessary to get the job done.

In addition to organizational skills to a lesser extent, I say a stage manager is a good leader of people by way of their own style for doing so. Work and emphisize on this and you will lead.