The Stage Manager's Toolkit

Laurie Kincman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, heading the undergraduate emphases in stage management and arts administration. She also serves as the department’s production manager. Her professional credits as a stage manager and production manager include work with the Old Globe Theatre, Malashock Dance & Company, Shakespeare Festival/LA, Opera Pacific, the California Ballet Company, American Stage Festival, and for choreographers Jessica Iwanson and Donald McKayle. Laurie is a member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, the Production Managers Forum, the Stage Managers Association, the Association for Arts Administration Educators, and Actors’ Equity Association.

TABLE OF CONTENTS





Foreword by David Grindle


Acknowledgments


Preface to the Second Edition


Introduction: The Stage Manager as Communicator





Chapter 1: AVENUES OF COMMUNICATION


Face-to-Face Communication


Written Communication





Chapter 2: PRINCIPLES OF DOCUMENT DESIGN


Identifying Your Audience


Page Layout


Fonts


Color and Shading


Accessibility


Continuity


What’s in a Name?


Ready to Begin





Chapter 3: PRE-PRODUCTION


Given Circumstances


The Calendar


Analyzing the Production


The Character/Scene Breakdown


Meeting with the Director


Meeting the Production Team


The Prop List


Specialty Charts


Auditions


The Contact Sheet


Thinking about the SM Team


Next Steps





Chapter 4: THE PROMPT BOOK


Organizing the Prompt Book


Preparing the Prompt Script


The Script for the Musical


Ready for Launch





Chapter 5: REHEARSALS


First Rehearsal


Table Work


Music and Dance Rehearsals


Blocking


The Daily Call


Conflicts


Fittings


The First Run-Through


Organizing Yourself


Scene Work


The Rehearsal Report


Production Meetings


Adding the Elements


Updating Paperwork


Rehearsals for Dance


Concluding Time in the Hall





Chapter 6: TECHNICAL REHEARSALS


Creating the Tech Schedule


Types of Tech Rehearsals


Preparing for Tech


Technology for the Stage Manager


Delegation


Working with the Crew


The Preset List


More About Prop Tables


The Shift Plot


Paperwork Variations


The Costume Plot


Cueing


Partnership with the Musical Director


Tech for Dance


The Art of It All


Stepping Up to Run the Show


Rehearsal Reports during the Tech Period





Chapter 7: PERFORMANCES


Previews


Refining Your Routine


Opening Night


Working with Front-of-House


The Performance Report


Changing Personnel


Maintaining the Artistic Integrity of Your Show


Working with Understudies


Emergency Plans and Problem-Solving





Chapter 8: NEXT STEPS


Moving the Production


The End of the Line—Or Is It?


The Post Mortem





Chapter 9: TEACHING STAGE MANAGEMENT


Overall Philosophy


Curriculum


Practical Experiences


The Introductory Course


Advanced Study


Evaluation and Grading


Learning On Your Own





EPILOGUE





APPENDIX


Actors’ Equity Association


The Stage Manager’s Kit


Emergency Announcements


More Paperwork


Web Resources


Suggested Reading





Notes


Author Biography


Index