T H E S TA G E MANAGER AND THE DIRECTOR: A DREAM TEAM! J A N U A R Y 2 5 T H , 2 0 2 0 REVIEW: THE ROLES OF THE S TA G E M A N A G E R • Creating and setting up rehearsal schedules • Liaison between the actors and the production team • Supervise “moving in” and “moving out” days • Creating a cue sheet • Calling cues • Creating a risk assessment • Managing backstage ROLES OF THE DIRECTOR • Casting the production • Give blocking and stage direction to actors, character choices (in collaboration with the actors) • Creating the cohesive production concept • Helping facilitate the runs of the show in rehearsals • Tech week responsibilities • Personal decision regarding influence and involvement • (This varies from director to director) S O : W H AT D O THEY DO TOGETHER? How does the stage manager help the director create the best production possible? REHEARSAL SCHEDULES: 4 MAJOR COMPONENTS • 1) The director’s preferred method of rehearsing. • Where are we rehearsing, how often per week, how long per rehearsal? • You absolutely need director input on this. • 2) Scene breakdowns. • Who is called, how long do we need them, what are we working with them on? • 3) Time management with respect to contracts/agreements/laws. • How old is my actor, how does that correlate with how long they are able to rehearse, are there any physical limitations? • 4) How many rehearsals are needed? How many tech rehearsals? How many performance dates? REHEARSAL AND SHOW REPORTS • Stage manager records information from director and shares with full team • Variety of information coming from different areas in the production team • Show reports come mainly from the stage manager, contrasting that most of the information in rehearsal reports comes from the director • This is a shining example of the stage manager being the liaison of information for everyone involved. • Sometimes, the director is not needed to discuss what is included in the rehearsal report, but they will often have things to contribute. C R E AT I N G A N D N O T I N G B L O C K I N G : PHASE TWO (REHEARSALS) • Recording and saving blocking notes is a full-time job during the rehearsal process! • Listen and record information from the director as they are placing blocking • This is used by the actors, designers, and stagehands throughout the production process • Enforce a mandatory “write down your blocking rule!” with the actors, they should have this info and only use your notes for confirmation or a refresh, not as their only resource FA C I L I TAT I N G T H E P R O D U C T I O N CONCEPT • The director is the first line of defense when it comes to the production concept • The stage manager helps make the vision clear and consistent • Production meetings, concept meetings • Making the concept clear to the actors • Making sure that the production team is clear and consistent in design choices that will also work for the actors • Maintaining safety throughout M A K I N G D E C I S I O N S O N S TA G E MANAGER AND DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES • When does the director stop attending rehearsals and performances? • What does the director expect of the stage manager during the run of the show? • Will there be rehearsals in between performances? • If major changes need to be made, when will the director come in and when does the stage manager carry this responsibility? FOR TOMORROW… Venn Diagram Assignment: Using the list of responsibilities on the assignment, decide which are done by the director, which are done by the stage manager, and which are done by both.
