STAGE MANAGEMENT
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Rachel R. Bush
Office: 142B Communications Courtyard
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 11pm – 2:30pm
Phone: 713-743-2911
Email: Rachelbush@hotmail.com
TEXT: We will reference Lawrence Stern, Stage Management, 2006 and
Daniel Ionazzi, The Stage Management Handbook
SUPPLIES: 2” Three Ring Binder
COURSE OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this course is to introduce & discuss –
What is Stage Management; What are the characteristics of a good Stage Manager; What are the
tools / skills needed to accomplish the job successfully.
To summarize: Acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become a competent stage manager.
The ability to COMMUNICATE, FACILITATE, & DELEGATE along with organization and scheduling
will be a few of the key skills we discuss. After completion of this course, one should be able to
successfully attempt to Stage Manage a theatrical production.
The best way to learn stage management is by doing, putting the knowledge you’ve received in class
to practical use- Students are STRONGLY encouraged to become involved with a U of H production,
perhaps as an ASM for a Mainstage / Lab show or the SM of a Graduate Director’s piece.
TOPICS:
Week 1
A. What is a stage manager? This area is a candid discussion about who can and who
Cannot be a good stage manager.
1. Making things run smoothly.
2. Characteristics of a good stage manager.
Week 2
B. Analyzing the script: The prompt script is the bible to every production. Every stage
Manager has there own style of putting this script together.
1. The prompt script.
2. What to look for in the play
3. Plots
Week 3
C. Production Management: Organization is the heart of stage management and scheduling is the
foundation. This unit will examine calendaring meeting, and communication techniques.
1. Master Calendar
2. Meetings
3. Rehearsal schedules
4. Call board
Week 4
D. Learning the Theatre: Understanding the spaces you work in is vital to the success of a good
manager. This segment will take a look at equipment use, dressing and stage facilities form the point
of view of a traveling production company.
1. Equipment
2. Support Facilities
3. Who reports to Whom
Week 5
E. Auditions & Readings
1. How to work with actors.
2. How to work with the director.
Week 6 & 7
F. The Rehearsal Process, Blocking, and Paperwork
Week 8
Midterms
Week 9
G. Supervision over your areas: An understanding of the following areas will provide
infrastructure for the stage manager to oversee their domain.
1. Props Chapter 10
2. Lights
3. Sounds
4. Stage Crew
Week 0
H. The art of delegation: Learning to delegate is a skill that does not come easily. Ten points to the art
of delegation is the base to this section. Organizing yourself, If you cannot organize yourself you
cannot organize a production company. Discussion and ideas on how to get yourself organize are
offered in this unit.
Week 11
I. Handling Rehearsals
1. Technical rehearsals
2. Dress rehearsals
Week 12
J. Running the Show
1. Giving cues
2. Check lists
3. House Management & The audience
4. Keeping the show in hand
Week 13
K. AEA & Misc. Info
Week 14
L. Getting the Job: Resumes, interview techniques, phone skills, and how to advertise yourself is the
final part of the stage management process. Resumes will be created and critiqued.
Week 15
M. Production Book Review
PROJECTS:
-Production Book
-Resume
EXAMS:
-Mid-Term
-Final
GRADING:
-Mid Term 100pts
-Final 100pts
-Resume 100pts
-Production Book 200pts
Total Possible 500 pts
A= 94-100%
B+ = 87 – 89%
B- = 80 – 83%
C= 74-76%
A- = 90 – 93%
B= 84-86%
C+ = 77-79%
C- = 70 -73%
*Students are reminded of the School of Theatre & Dance Absence Policy, available on the policies page of the
website: www.uh.edu/theatre. In this class, meeting twice a week, you get two absences for free; each additional
absence lowers your final grade by ½ a letter; five absences results in a failing grade. Three tardies equals one
absence. (Punctuality and Dependability are key traits of a good Stage Manager)