Stage manager sm the head of the stage management team comprising the deputy stage manager dsm and assistant stage manager asm. This meant i spent all of my evenings for the last month or so of school in the theatre building. Lucy bradford, assistant stage manager, deputy stage manager. However, whether youre a rookie or veteran assistant stage manager, it can be tough to take on this job. The job begins before the productions first rehearsal. Helping to set up the rehearsal space and keep it clean and tidy. The assistant stage manager is responsible for supporting the stage manager in ensuring the smooth and high quality.
This can include attending production meetings, running rehearsals, clerical organization, and insuring the smooth execution of the performances. Its no secret that stage managers quite literally run the show in the theatre worldand behind every great stage manager is an amazing assistant stage manager. Every rehearsal will have present either the production stage manager or an assistant stage manager. Stage managers rehearsal sm, production sm, assistant sm the stage manager is present at all performances.
Some of these tasks may include but are not limited to. After blocking, the asm may be required to be on book. Assistant stage manager in the spotlight cary players. The deputy stage manager dsm is a separate position in some theatres, while in others the responsibilities of the dsm may be assumed by the stage manager or assistant stage manager. Gianfranco lentini stagemanaging any job means three things. Its sometimes known as the book, prompt copy or prompt script. As all stage managers know, doing line notes for actors once they are off book is one of the most gueling parts of the job. Grace benn deputy stage manager the book of mormon. The assistant stage manager asm has varied responsibilities, which are assigned by the stage manager. Oct 27, 2018 the prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show.
The book outlines the duties of the stage manager and assistant stage manager throughout a production, discussing not only what to do but why. Assisting the stage manager with administrative tasks for example. Start to build your prompt book also known as production book. Claire farrokh assistant stage manager 1st national. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn.
James cole deputy stage manager at billy elliot the musical. Assistant stage manager book cover at noel coward theatre. The behind the scenes fund offers financial assistance to entertainment technology professionals specifically. The prompt book contains blocking notes, any changes that have been made. Which books i should refer for exam preparation of sebi.
As all stage managers know, doing line notes for actors once they are offbook is one of the most gueling parts of the job. Being a west end assistant stage manager industry insights. Over time, with the rise in complexity of theatre due to advances such as mechanized scenery, quick costume changes, and controlled lighting, the stage managers job was split into two positions director and stage manager. Simon is currently working on the philanthropist, christopher hamptons classic hit comedy playing at trafalgar. I have worked on a vast range of productions from large scale musicals to small studio plays, new writing to standards, and have held the roles of assistant stage manager, deputy stage manager and stage manager. The key stage management positions are stage manager sm and assistant stage manager asm. Funds may be used for medical expenses, funeral expenses, or basic living expenses.
During the run of the show, the asm is assigned a specific track that may include performing preshow checks and setting props or costumes. Assistant stage manager department of theatre arts. Assistant stage manager at the book of mormon australia. Stage managers typically provide practical and organizational support to the director, actors, designers. Charlotte wilson, assistant stage manager, stage manager. In the event that the stage manager must be absent, this person will fill in to call the show. Filter by location to see assistant stage manager salaries in your area. You should also consider the assistant manager duties and responsibilities he or she will have to handle. Chapters are laid out to reflect the order in which stage managers experience and perform their work.
Whats in a stage manager s prompt book aka sms bible duration. Anastasia booth, assistant stage manager, stage manager, london and manchester, mandy theatre professionals uk, i have worked on a variety of different prod. Heshe communicates remotely with technical crew and calls all cues for lighting and sound effects, as well as coordinating the run crew for. You have to select very carefully your study materials. Arrange a time in the near future to have a fire drill for all cast and crew. Taking notes and updating the prompt book if the stage manager is sick or otherwise unable. Follow these steps and your stage manager will be ready to go in no time. Stage managers handbook emerson college 120 boylston street boston, ma 02116 production office 6th floor, tufte performance and production center 10 boylston place boston, ma 02116 revised august 20. But in mains, this is like a rbi grade b exam pattern based. They should help to keeping track of cast members, sets and miscellaneous details during rehearsals and production of a stage performance as directed by the stage manager. And no, no, there has never been a tony award category for best stage manager, its just that peters work has been so important that the tony awards committee gave him an excellence in theatre tony in 20. Taking notes and updating the prompt book if the stage manager is sick or otherwise unable to attend rehearsal.
Alexandra legg, assistant stage manager, deputy stage manager. Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and. Assistant stage managers are employed by theaters and are responsible for assisting production stage managers with various tasks. The stage manager is often described as being the glue of any production, the person who always knows whats going on, where its happening, and how things are actually progressing. A stage manager is an individual who has overall responsibility for stage. During preproduction, the asm should keep cast and crew aware of the rehearsal schedule. Josh croft assistant stage manager book cover at chicago welling, greater london, united kingdom 111 connections. Stage managers handbook emerson college 120 boylston street boston, ma 02116 production office 6th floor, tufte performance and production center 10 boylston place boston, ma 02116. In such cases the head stage manager is titled production stage manager commonly abbreviated psm, and working under the psm is one or more assistant stage managers commonly abbreviated asm. Assist stage mangers and directors in all rehearsal hall needs. Assistant stage manager asm the assistant stage manager reports to the stage manager. How to become a good stage manager with pictures wikihow.
Episode 78 tony awardwinning stage manager, peter lawrence. A great stage manager is typically a calm, professional, and organized person with a good base knowledge of stagecraft, and an ability to courteously manage others. Oct 20, 2018 being an assistant stage manager is a great way for students to get involved in theatre, no matter their age or experience. Josh croft assistant stage manager book cover billy. 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. Rehearsal assistant during the production process, the stage. The position requires leadership ability and good people skills, the ability to communicate well and the knowledge and experience to take initiative. Apply to stage manager, stage hand, production manager and more. So, what does an assistant stage manager do, anyway. The production coordinatorassistant stage manager will be responsible for serving as an assistant stage manager for performances by the professional company. Being an assistant stage manager is a great way for students to get involved in theatre, no matter their age or experience.
Emily ida assistant stage manager be more chill linkedin. Emily ida assistant stage manager at be more chill london, united kingdom 187 connections. It must be prepared in advance of the first rehearsal, so the stage manager is ready to go right away. The assistant stage manager does assist the production stage manager with all of their responsibilities. The opera machine presents an extraordinary multiangled view of the intricate theatrical process behind the scenes during a performance. Examples of job duties of an assistant stage manager are taking part to production meetings, organizing rehearsals, and making sure performances are executed smoothly. The key stage management positions are stage manager sm and assistant. The assistant stage managers asm is responsible for assisting the stage manager. These two positions involve support for both the director and the producers.
To find out more about this worthy cause and great fund, follow this link. Stage manager on broadway, the second in command after the production stage manager. Sep 18, 2018 this exam is like a sbi po pattern based in preliminary stage. Prospective students who searched for become a professional stage manager. When i first started as an assistant stage manager, i started using a template i was given, and from there i developed some of my own for furture stage managers to make things easier. So that you can cover your books and revise sincerely. The prompt book contains the script from which the sm calls the show.
Personally i think this book helped me the most when i was dsm for one of the productions at college it helped me as i wasnt totally confindent with being a dsm and being. Assistant stage manager role overview the assistant stage manager will work as part of the production team alongside the stage manager, lead director, designer, directing assistants and other production volunteer team. Anastasia booth, assistant stage manager, stage manager. The stage manager book is perhaps the most important thing to a stage. Peter lawrence won a tony award for his contributions to our industry as a stage manager. 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. Stage management is an art that is learned through extended study, mentoring, and experience.
Often needed in larger productions, when the stage manager is out in the house, the asm is often stationed just offstage to facilitate communication between the stage manager, crew and actors, as well as ensuring safety. The assistant stage manager does assist the production stage manager with. Assistant stage manager book cover theatre the grinning man tom morris bristol old vic trafalgar studios. In the world of professional theatre, the stage manager is one of the most important players. A procedure for prompting should be arranged with the actors and director. This exam is like a sbi po pattern based in preliminary stage. We caught up with simon batho to learn about the tricks of the trade and how to keep everything running smoothly. Larger shows often need two or more stage managers. Assistant stage manager tech theater responsibilities. May 03, 2019 the life of an assistant stage manager sadie knox. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible. Traditional and new methods for running a show from first rehearsal to last performance kindle edition by thomas a. An assistant manager works with a head manager and performs a number of supervisory duties. To advertise an assistant manager job, you can use our description of an assistant manager and add the skills, duties, and qualifications your company needs to create a customized assistant manager job description.
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. When the actors are scheduled to be off book, the asm may assist in. Setting out my prompt book, spiking the stage, and organizing our share of french restoration props, i sat back, and waited for the actors to arrive. It tells you about all the stages in the production process and how each memeber of the stage manangement team like the assistant stage manager and the deputy stage manager. Ive been given the illustrious task of staying on said book, calling lines, and. Apply to assistant manager, operations manager, assistant and more. Tips for being the best assistant stage manager you can be.
Do this on a night when all cast and crew are there and before rehearsals get underway. This aspect of the project will be factored into your 6 hour per week commitment. Common duties listed on stage manager resume samples are running rehearsals, managing designers and workers crafting the set, coordinating the stage crew, and signaling actors to start their performance. Jun 12, 2019 how much does a assistant stage manager make. About me stage management graduate from the royal central school of speech and drama based in london. The assistant stage manager is a catchall, a goto person who answers all calls for help. Lets take a look at the three most common duties and responsibilities of an assistant stage manager. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Assistant stage manager often needed in larger productions, when the stage manager is out in the house, the asm is often stationed just offstage to facilitate communication between the stage manager, crew and actors, as well as ensuring safety. The stage managers toolkit templates and communication. Assistant stage manager with 9 plus years of experience is seeking a position in stage or production management. The 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. Once you have a solid understanding of how shows are managed at the playhouse, you will be encouraged to consider stage managing a show.
Therefore, it works best when the stage manager sm and the assistant stage manager asm are compatible and can work well together as a team. Damien stanton assistant stage manager at national theatre. This year i was one of two assistant stage manager asm for a show in the university of iowa new play festival. The asm is part of the management team of the production. Grace benn deputy stage manager at the book of mormon australia sydney, australia 82 connections. My objective is to assist in the efficient running of daily operations of theatre, opera, and other arts organizations and venues.
Assistant stage manager the assistant stage managers primary role is to wait for it. 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. Mar 03, 2015 its been requested, so i go through what i have in one of my prompt books for a show. An assistant manager must have a strong attention to details and be able to. 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. The back stage guide to stage management, 3rd edition. If you are interested in stage managing a production, you are encouraged to first get involved on a production team and work your way to assistant stage manager. Stage managers are often employed by theaters and are responsible for providing support to the other members involved in the production process. Many playwrights, directors, and actors have previously worked as an assistant stage manager.
Regular dialogue related to expectations and sharing of responsibilities need to be ongoing from day one in order to build a teamwork environment. Assistant stage manager members of the stage management team who may have specific responsibilities for some aspect of production, such as crew, or serve as overall assistants, doing what the stage manager assigns. Stage management handbook 6 remember that each director is unique in the details of their process but each will expect the stage manager to manage rehearsals, know the show in detail and offer support in the process. The book started as a project of the stage management course taught by associate. What exactly does it take to be a top asm in londons west end. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling. The stage manager has a wide number and variety of responsibilities, which can be broken down into three primary categories. Assistant stage manager the assistant stage managers primary role is to wait for it assist the stage manager. The stage managers toolkit provides a comprehensive account of the role of the stage manager for live theatre with a focus on both written and verbal communication best practices. Currently working as an assistant stage manager book cover on school of rock the musical at the gillian lynne theatre in london. The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show.
The stage manager, or production stage manager or assistant stage manager, takes over the responsibilities of the director of a theatrical production when his or her job is done. Depending on the needs of the production, there may be a team of stagehands, usually casual employees. Usually, if you are called to rehearsal as an actor, at times you will also wear the hat of the stage management department. Stepbystep career guide found the following related articles and links useful. Check out why its good to keep these for future jobs and why its such an important tool for a show. Assistant stage manager department of theatre and dance. Assistant stage manager book cover billy chicago limited.