Just to
throw another opinion in there:
From shows I have worked as both a
Stage Manager, an ASM and Crew, the
Stage Manager's job is several fold, which has already been mentioned. But, when there is a critical
point, his or her job is to *think*. Each crew member must be focused and excel at their job, and constant communication between crew and ASM, ASM and SM and board ops and SM must be constant. Because, when SHTF, crew do not have time to think. The SM must be free to formulate the plan, coordinate the resources at his or her disposal, and all the while making sure the audience has NO CLUE what just happened. They must manage a reality, and that requires having multiple views and being able to understand them at a moment's notice. Also, to most effectively make this happen, the SM needs to have as
clear a view as the audience has. This is pretty much (to me, of course your mileage may vary) the only way to know that a sequence of events or a quick solution is able to be read from the
house, and to
call out any issues that may be visible but the crew may not be aware of from their respective positions.
To me, this just further brings to light the value of a good ASM, and how they are often more critical to a show than many suspect. They're the eyes and ears backstage for the SM, who is focused on the end product and using the tools there to make it happen. The ASM makes sure all those tools, workers and elements are there to function according to plan (even if the plan must change immediately). Also, it also shows that a GOOD SM should be a
jack of all trades in order to do their job well. I cannot stomach any
stage manager who thinks that having the best knowledge possible about your
house's light board, sound setup, set design or even makeup requirements for your show isn't as critical as the rest of the traditional SM skills. Of course, I speak of some SM's from community theater productions when I was a TD and the difference between them and pros is of course glaring (or at least should be). To me a
Stage Manager has the requirement to have a MUCH greater skill
base since so much of it is administrative and technical, and if they do their job right they should appear omnipresent to the cast since you pretty much have to be during a show
This of course also points out (once again) that it's the crew as a whole that make this happen... nothing happens without our crew!