It is a primary responsibility of the stage manager, and one specifically articulated by actors equity association. Script stage managers prompt book, undated nypl digital. Sep 25, 2007 stage management came about in the 18th19th century with the rise of technology. It essentially provides a virtual running cue sheet with an info view for artists currently on stage. How to prepare a stage manager s prompt book one of the stage manager s most important tasks is to create and maintain the prompt book sometimes known as the show bible which is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to coordinate with the onstage action. In modern theatrical productions, the prompt book is generally maintained and kept by the stage manager, with differences in the specific construction and. View stage manager prompt book ppts online, safely and virusfree.
Stepbystep career guide found the following related articles and links useful. Essentials of stage management by peter maccoy, the stage management handbook by daniel a. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. The stage manager is the individual who accepts active, not passive, responsibility for the smooth running of rehearsals and performances both onstage and backstage. Use of theatre during rehearsals in the rehearsal hall guidelines for stage management. David found he didnt need as much time for the usual pretech work, such as cleaning up his prompt book. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to. If you do not read music, tell your director and dont attempt to fake it. Posts about prompt book written by awesomestagemanager. A stage manager is in charge of the entire production, and must know the ins and outs of every production they oversee. Brooke enjoyed using color in ways she hadnt done before, tagging. Explain audition procedures to actors and help to distribute audition information and help with the sign in process. Writing in his memoirs, tennessee williams remembers paying a visit to.
Based on the 6 hour limit of outside rehearsal or activities for our show per week, you will be assigned to attend specific rehearsals on a weekly bases. Rehearsal reports include items like the date, call time, arrival time of cast, material covered in rehearsal, prop notes, lighting notes, set notes, costume notes, and any other items to the production staff. Stage manager compiles the prompt book records stage business. Not just to remind you, but in case something happens, someone else will be able to read and understand your blocking notations. Stage managers responsibilities linkedin slideshare. Part of a stage managers panel, or prompt corner stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production.
Choose styles that clearly indicate specific advantages or disadvantages of each document. Prompt books come in all shapes and sizes, designed for slightly different purposes or for use by people in different roles within the theatre. The move from rehearsal room to stage is a huge one, but both a number and still life with iris had a very smooth transition into tech. It is a compilation of all blocking, business, light, speech and sound cues, lists of properties, drawings of the set, contact information for the cast and crew and any other relevant information that might be necessary to help the production run smoothly. A prompt book documents everything about the production and could be used as a blueprint to remount the production if a company desires. The production paperwork provided below will provide insight into my stage management process from auditions to performances, and illustrate the various templates i use depending on specific requirements of a production. Stage managers can be paid hourly, by contract, or through a collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union, iatse. Stage management is an art that is learned through extended study, mentoring, and experience.
A couple of good items to add to your prompt book are rehearsal reports and production reports. The stage manager for each show is in charge of the prompt book. Assistant stage manager department of theatre and dance. Stage management by briana shipley byu theatre education. The stage manager is the primary person responsible for communication among production staff, cast and crew. In your own words, on a single typewritten page for each document, decribe the features of each document and how it might be better organized, more functional, or better formatted than other examples. All of the cast members conflicts scene breakdown production calendar the production calendar includes not just the audition and performance dates, but when people are building the sets, when publicity photos will be taken, and any dark days the theatre has. The opera machine presents an extraordinary multiangled view of the intricate theatrical process behind the scenes during a performance.
Being a part of a live performing art production can be very exciting and fulfilling. Samples should show how the same information can be organized in three distinct ways. A stage manager is responsible for the overall organization of a theatrical production. Descriptionthe assistant stage manager assists the stage manager in completing a wide number and variety of responsibilities, which can be broken down into three primary categories. Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. Unfortunatly, there is no accepted format for the distribution of scripts electronically, which basically means that there is no dedicated stage management tool. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to. Prospective students who searched for become a professional stage manager. Assisting the stage manager with administrative tasks for example, the stage manager may delegate calling latecomers to the asm so the stage manager can stay in rehearsal and take notes taking notes and updating the prompt book if the stage manager is. A copy of the script all blocking written into the script any research materials reactions to each rehearsal, including what the director has. Opera terms stage managers should know contains a list of terms and phrases. And make sure you keep a copy of your blocking key in your prompt book. Im not a stage manager, but is there any value into having a separate binder for your call script, with just the information needed to call the show, and then a second binder, always kept with the first one, that has the rest of the information in it, just to keep a bit neater while your calling the show. Along with the materials outlined below, it would also include.
The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score containing all the actor moves and technical cues and is used by the deputy stage manager to run rehearsals and later control the performance. Stage management prompt book prompt book format should include. How to make a prompt book stage manager, theatre stage. Logo sm go png format logo to be used for branding the sm go events. These agreements expire every 35 years and then a new one has to be negotiated.
Virtual stage manager handles all your time consuming theatre management tasks. There is a lot to be said for the old way of making a prompt book. The general manager and active production chair will enter all approved changes. Prompt book book that is a copy of the script which the stage manager created that has all of the blocking and rehearsal notes, tech cues and other instructions written into it so that the stage manager can call the show. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible youtube. Im curious if any of you fine folks could recommend a program for creating a callbook. The job requires keeping actors and technicians on task, managing meetings and rehearsals, and remaining calm and levelheaded throughout a process that tends to be emotionally and physically draining. How to become a good stage manager with pictures wikihow. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues, and is used by the deputy stage manager to run.
Lawrence stern states in his book, stage management. A prompt book isnt just a random extra copy of the script though. Script stage managers prompt book, undated new york public library digital collections. The prompt book must be prepared in advance of the first rehearsal, so the stage manager is ready to go right away. Prompt book layout, including cueing notation preshow check list performance report 4. Stage managercompiles the prompt bookrecords stage business specific actions such as answering the phone or turning on a table lampblocking where actor enters, crosses, where the come in, etclightingsound and other cuesmakes rehearsal schedulescoordinates rehearsalsruns the show after it opensthe groundplan the ground plandirector and designer work out the play. A well constructed prompt book is the key aspect to the successful running of a show. But essentially they all have one function in common.
As actors are struggling to get off book, you or your asm will have to be on book, available to prompt them. Its sometimes known as the book, prompt copy or prompt script. Production reports or performance reports cover most of the same items, but happen after. Of course, for many people, it is the most terrifying part, too. So, what does an assistant stage manager do, anyway. Im an old stage manager who hasnt stage managed in years did the producing thing for years, but now im back to calling a show. Included are samples of scene breakdowns, audition forms, prop lists, rehearsal schedules, rehearsal reports, scene changes, line notes, checklists, and performance reports. The member of stage management often the dsm cueing the show is said. During rehearsals through performances, the stage manager is the official timekeeper of the production and should call the start and stop of the rehearsal to the director so that they can keep things moving. Once a show goes up, i keep my prompt book at the theatre. The book started as a project of the stage management course taught by associate. Asms will need to coordinate the recording progress of this document with the sm. I created this document so that crew names would be organized on the page in a logical to my mind way. Create a section in your prompt book for each content area listed.
Showtool sm for iphone, ipod touch, and ipad on the itunes app store also, i have seen the bento database application mentioned in a few other threads they also have an excellent ios app and its pretty easy to move databases between ios devices and bento you can create pretty powerful. The prompt book should be sectioned off with the following tab dividers, with the listed information under these headings. The stage manager prepares for cue to cue rehearsal in order to facilitate the efficient and smooth running of the rehearsal. See more ideas about teaching theatre, stage and theatre stage. In the world of professional theatre, the stage manager is one of the most important players. If you would like to propose a revision to this handbook, please email the production manager. Apply to stage manager, connected vehicle manager, cost manager and more.
Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal process and coordinating communications among various production teams and personnel. The stage manager also takes notes each night on aspects of the performance to distribute to actors and production departments. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible. Stage management handbook v4 west virginia university. A flaming helix, trap doors and a twoton spinning wall feature in this performance of. Before the job of the stage manager was handled by actormanagers or theatremanagers, later directormanagers. In modern theatrical productions, the prompt book is generally maintained and kept by the stage manager, with differences in the specific construction and organization to suit the style of the stage manager keeping the book, and the type of production legitimate theatre. During performances, the stage manager runs the book, which means he uses the prompt book to cue lights, sound and set changes. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible duration. The copy of a production script that contains the information necessary to create a theatrical production from the ground up.
Feb 25, 2012 when creating a rehearsal schedule, you will need. Stage manager is meant to help stage usage managing between cues artists in venues consisting of multiple events rehearsal, performance etc. Script stage manager s prompt book, undated new york public library digital collections. I read every book on stage management that i could find, starting with lawrence stern and moving on to. A stage manager is the linchpin of a theater production, the liaison between the actors on the stage and all of the behindthescenes crews who bring a script to life. Choose from 17 different camera angles and three different sound mixes or follow the prompt book which is used to cue the technical crew and artists. Jun 24, 2011 its created as notes for the stage manager or, in dire instances, a substitute to follow, and not as a resource for teaching the choreography to a dancer thats someone elses job. The stage manager s responsibility is to ensure that communication and collaboration occurs on a regular basis throughout the process. Apply to stage manager, connected vehicle manager, certification manager and more. Notes made by the owner of the prompt book who could be a stage manager, an actor or any other theatrical professional to give further guidance about how a scene should be performed, how actors should deliver lines, where they should be positioned etc. Queen elinor seated on a stool, on the kings r right.
The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues, and is used by the deputy stage manager to run rehearsals and later, control the performance. Angela mitchell is a writer, columnist, and book author who has promoted theatres, studios, and artists through her own pr firm since 1995. On broadway, off broadway, in regional repertory, or on tour, the only book you need as your professional companion is peter lawrence s comprehensive and definitive production stage management for broadway. Chapters are laid out to reflect the order in which stage managers experience and perform their work. Outline the change you purpose and the reason for this proposal. Compare three samples of the following types of forms used by stage managers. Good qualities and responsibilities of a stage manager. Stage manager duties, education requirements and career info. The professional experiencerefreshed takes the reader on a journey through all aspects of the craft of stage management in theatre, including the technological advancements that have come to theatre and the stage mangers job.
Billy rose theatre division, the new york public library. Assistant stage manager asm usually shortened to asm, the assistant stage manager is the most junior member of the stage management team, and is often in charge of sourcing and running properties during the run of a show. However, lets focus on the sms other other best friend, the holy prompt book. Student directors need to document their process, including showing clearly the reasons for the directorial choices they have made. As for making a calling script, cues were laid on the page and typed or written in. Stage manager responsibility check list, all responsibilities assigned to the psmasm 10 pts crew jobs. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. This readytoprint rehearsal signin sheet makes it easy for stage managers to implement and practice signins by cast and crew at all rehearsals, even on smaller productions. It also helps that all veterans usually know the terms, so the av guys can easily translate it into camera left and camera right audience left, audience right and the stage guys can easily translate it to sl and sr, without me worrying that when i say we need a camera to record the right side of the stage, we have one on the left already. Like music, therell be points in the script when you turn a lot of pages quickly, and spots when you sit on the same page for a while. Created by the stage manager over the entire course of the production from prep to closing, it is the property of the production company. Maintaining the script and all documentation of your production in a single location is not just a good idea.
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