Spotlight Operator Training
Stage Manager Script
Preset two stage entrances SR and SL, an offstage area where actors can’t be seen,
and a stage area. You will need two actors. Best for at least 4 spots.
TO SPOTS:
Hello my name is _________ I will be calling this show. Spots please check in.
(make sure spots check in with their number not their name)
EXERCISE 1: Pickup on a visual, follow, iris to include, fade out on visual
TO SPOTS:
Okay, spot 1, your first pickup will be an actor entering stage left in a waist shot. You
can take that on a visual. Spot 2, you will be picking up an actor entering stage right
also in a waist shot, and take that cue on a visual.
TO ACTORS:
Actors standby to enter, one on stage right, one on stage left. Each of you will come
downstage mill around for about 30 seconds, then cross to center and stay there for
another 20 seconds.
Actors GO
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1 and 2 when the two actors onstage meet at center, please iris open to
include both of them and iris back to a waist shot when they separate.
TO ACTORS:
Actors, please separate to opposite sides of the stage, then exit slowly one at a time.
Actors GO
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1 and 2 you will fade out in a three count when they exit. Take this cue on a
visual.
Give spots a chance to repeat this exercise if needed, move on to next pair of spots.
EXERCISE 2: Pickup together on a bump, bump out, color change, fade out
together 3-count
*Exercise 2 and 3 can be performed simultaneously with two different pairs of
spots to make things more challenging.
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1 and 2, standby to pickup an actor downstage center in frame 2, full body, on
a bump
TO ACTORS:
Actor 1, please enter and come down-center
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1 and 2, GO
Spots 1 and 2 standby to bump out on my first G-O, change to frame 3 and then
restore in a bump on my second G-O…..
Spots 1 and 2, GO…..
Spots 1 and 2, GO
Spots 1 and 2 standby to fade out together in a 3-count….
Spots 1 and 2, GO
Give spots a chance to repeat this exercise if needed, move on to next pair of spots.
EXERCISE 3: Pickup together in a 5-count, color change live, bump out together
TO ACTORS:
Actor 2, please come downstage-right
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1 and 2, standby to pick up the actor downstage right in frame 1, head and
shoulders, in a 5-count.
Spots GO
TO ACTORS:
Actor 2, please pace back and forth across the stage, GO
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1 and 2, the actor you’re following is going to stop upstage-left, standby to
open to a full body shot.
TO ACTORS:
Actor 2, please cross upstage-left and stand still, GO
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1 and 2, GO.
Spots 1 and 2, standby to change to frame 2.
Spots 1 and 2, GO
Spots 1 and 2, standby to go out in a bump….
Spots 1 and 2, GO
Give spots a chance to repeat this exercise if needed, move on to next pair of spots.
EXERCISE 4: Pickup together in a 1-count, follow through whole arena, keep
beam size consistent, fade out without a call.
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1 and 2, standby to pickup the actor who will be exiting the stage area on the
Stage Left side. Spots 3 and 4, standby to pickup the actor who will be exiting on the
Stage Right side. All spots, you will be in a ¾ body shot, in frame 2 and your pickup
will be in a 1-count.
TO ACTORS:
Actor 1, standby to exit stage area, Stage Left and walk (or ride bicycle) up and
down the length of the arena, coming all the way to the downstage bleachers and all
the way up to the back wall. Actor 2, standby to exit the stage area Stage Right and
walk (or ride bicycle) up and down the length of the arena. Actors GO
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1, 2, 3, and 4, GO
Spots please try to keep your beam size consistent as they move through the arena, I
don’t want to loose their heads, and I don’t want to see any feet.
….after a couple of minutes
TO ACTORS:
Actors please take your next available exit from the arena to an area out of view of
the spots.
….don’t call the spots out. They should fade out as they lose their subject.
Give spots a chance to repeat this exercise if needed, move on to next pair of spots.
EXERCISE 5: Ballyhoo into a pickup, swaps, fade out in 20 count
TO ACTORS:
Actor 1, please stand near the Stage Left bleachers at about midway through the
arena. Actor 2, please stand near the Stage Right bleachers, also midway, GO
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1 and 2, standby to ballyhoo the arena in frame 3, full body, including the
arena floor and seats.
Spots 1 and 2, GO
Spot 1 standby to pickup an actor standing near the Stage Left Bleachers about
midway through the arena.
Spot 2, standby to pickup an actor standing near the Stage Right bleachers, midway
through the arena. Both pickups will be in a full body shot.
Spots 1 and 2, GO
Spots 1 and 2 standby to swap as these two actors cross at center on a visual
TO ACTORS:
Actor 1 and 2, please trade places crossing in the center of the arena, GO
TO SPOTS:
Spot 1 and 2 standby to fade, cross back to the actor your were just on and fade
back up. Fades should be in a 1-count.
Spot 1 and 2 GO
Spots 1 and 2, standby to fade out in a 20 count. Please watch each other and make
sure you’re out in the same time.
Spots 1 and 2 GO
EXERCISE 6: Pickup in a pin spot, follow, bump out.
TO SPOTS:
Spot 1, standby to pick up the actor on stage left. Spot 2 standby to pick up the
actor on stage right. Both spots you will be in no color, in a pin-spot, on a bump.
Spots 1 and 2, GO
TO ACTORS:
Actors 1 and 2, please walk (or bike) around the arena at random, GO
TO SPOTS:
Spots 1 and 2, standby to bump out.
Spots 1 and 2, GO