Stage Management

Catalog description

Stage management is a practice grounded in supporting communication across all departments. A stage manager acts as a liaison between all members of the company—cast, director, designers, producers, and technical crew. Stage managers also support the director and company by helping to set the tone of the room; they establish clear and specific expectations, develop and implement systems to help move the process forward, and manage all technical elements throughout the process. Good stage managers are flexible and exhibit transparency and empathy as they hold space for everyone, curating a culture of trust and professionalism through their work. This course will explore the basic techniques and skills of stage management via the five stages of production: preproduction, rehearsals, tech, performance, and close/ strike. Students will practice script analysis and develop systems for rehearsal/performance organization and the maintenance and running of a production. A theatre- management practicum will be embedded in the course curriculum—all students will be assigned as a stage manager or assistant stage manager for an SLC Theatre production. Tools of the Trade