Hey There, I was the
lighting designer and operator for my HS competition on our 1-Act and Mainstage shows (6 years ago), so my experience may be similar, but not exactly.
In my experience the show is adjudicated in two manners, performance and tech, by two separate teams of judges. - As a
stage manager, you get looked at as keeping the performance flowing (how to adapt when things don't go as rehearsed, what if that prop falls and sits on
stage for 2 more scenes, what are your contingency plans in circumstances beyond your control...); you are also responsible for calling all technical elements of the show and maintaining calm control over the entire production, even in times of chaos. You are also there to ensure
safety elements. You are the one and only person who has an overall view of the show, onstage and off. Is it safe to
fly in that
drop, or is an actor still not
clear of that
lineset from flying in? Can you
call the
cue to black out the lights if you still have actors in a intricate formation at the end of a musical number, or should you wait an extra
beat or two for them to get organized? All things that in a live performance are variables and can be looked at by you at your discretion and then interpreted to give the best direction possible to recreate everything you've been doing in rehearsals.
The judges are listening on
clear-com headset with you. Listening to your demeanor, your attitude, your composure and professionalism. They will see how you treat the performers before the show, after the show. Typically you will present the tech judges with a copy of your calling script,
blocking script and any
tracking you do during the show (
props, costumes
etc...)
Anyways.. I could probably talk about this for days... but I hope this helps.
-B