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DR 240: STAGE MANAGEMENT
The main Drama 240 Website.
use
DRAMCOST.wordpress.com
http://dram240.wordpress.com/
DR 246
http://www.queensu.ca/drama/drama246/index.html
DR 247
http://www.queensu.ca/drama/drama247/index.html
DR 246 / 247 Submit Learning Objective & Self reflection to MOODLE via main DR 240 website
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During arrival,
1) SIGN –IN.
2) Get out a PENCIL.
3) Read this ‘POEM’.
4) Discuss with neighbour
to verify meanings.
Theatrical Logic
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1) Stage Managers and ASMs need to be aware of many areas of
theatre, such as:
2) Stage Managers and ASMs need to use various technical skills,
such as:
3) Stage Managers and ASMs need to cultivate various
interpersonal abilities such as:
4) Some working style traits that would be good to use when
Stage Managing or ASMing would be:
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AREAS
of
Stage
Management
S / F/ C / R
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EXAMINE the items. Discuss with your neighbours.
Answer the questions about each. Remember your answers.
1) What might the item be called or titled? (Use this name on the list)
2) What is the purpose of this item? Is there more than 1 purpose?
3) Who is it for? Or Who does it help?
4) When, in the theatrical process, would it be made or obtained?
5) When, in the process, would it be used?
6) What AREAS of Stage Management might the coloured stickers
represent? Verify with at least 2 others.
EXAMPLES
Cards, Health & Safety, First
Aid, Nail File, Losenges,
Medical Form, Quiet Please,
Safety info, Local Info.
Contact List, Presets, Running
lists, Sc Breakdown, Sc Ch Plans,
Prop table plans.
CD/DVD, Schedules, CTA,
Local Info, Policies.
Note-pad, Divider, Blocking
plans, Petty cash forms,
Stationery, Presets, Disk,
Running Lists
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STAGES of Stage Management:
Preparation:
Rehearsal:
Technical Rehearsal Prep and the Tech:
Performances:
P/R/T/P
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STAGES of Stage Management:
Preparation: Script, Meetings, Charts, Lists, Designs, Theatre,
Rehearsal space Prep., Schedules, Community info., Safety,…
Rehearsal: Daily Prep, Schedules, Notes, Communications,
Resources, Recording, Policies, Meetings, Receipts, Spikes, …
Technical Rehearsal Prep and the Tech: Scene changes, Prop
presets, Paper Cueing, Scheduling, Quick changes, Safety,
Communication, Cue Lights, …
Performances: Schedules, Presets, Running lists, Actor Notes,
Publicity, Strike Planning, Maintenance,….
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Read: PRUDENCE AND FREDERIQUE
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PRUDENCE AND FREDERIQUE
(Those who are Left handed are going to pretend to be right handed just for this
ONLY!)
Across the page on the same ‘line’ as where it is mentioned, note
the following!
1) Left Column: In the centre of this column, note anything
relate to lighting or sound. Write: LX or LQ (music) , with
the sound in the brackets.
2) Centre Column: Note any props or furniture. Just write the
noun in FULL CAPITALS eg: NEWSPAPER at the left side
of the column.
3) Right Column : Leaving a 2 letter space before the initial,
note first initial of character MOVING, and possibly what
they do. P enters. OR P cross to desk.
4) In the upper right box, using all the space sketch a simple
room with the script needs. (doorway, desk, chair)
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As You Like It
Let’s look at scripts:
Book versions …
Shakespeare .. Modern
printings are pre-divided
into scenes, and have line
numbers that are continuous
through the scenes.
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Twelfth Night
Arden versions have almost
half the page of text notes,
which would not do too well
in a SM book.
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More modern
plays have a
‘simpler’ layout.
This one has the
character name
mid-page. In
order to separate
the spoken text
from the other
information, SMs
highlight the
stage directions
and the character
names as …
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This helps us know when
the conversation goes
back and forth, and how
often and how quickly, as
well as separating the
stage directions.
Under Milkwood - Highlighted
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Ten Times Table
This much more
compact text will
be much helped
by highlighting.
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Advantages:
Easily see change of speaker
Ten Times Table Highlighted
Easily separate spoken words
from stage directions, to help
clarity while following text
for prompting.
Stage directions can be fully
coloured, or ‘boxed’.
Some directors want
everyone to ‘ignore’ the stage
directions during rehearsals.
I prefer calm colours for
highlighting.
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A third colour can be used for music ‘cues’ in musicals.
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Getting to know the script:
Read through, looking for all areas of production that are
mentioned or implied.
An example of “implied” props.
(Sean lights his cigarette.)
Implied might be :
1) a pack of cigarettes
2) a lighter or matches
3) an ashtray, possibly
Read through the script filling-in a pencil chart on paper separate
from the prompt script pages, tracking the page numbers when
production areas are ‘mentioned’. Watch for PROPS,
FURNITURE, SET, COSTUMES, LIGHTING, SOUND,
SPECIAL EFFECTS, and anything else you come across.
That chart may look like this:
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Secret Garde
After making
this chart, made
on paper
separate from the
prompt script, an
SM can make
Lists Per Script,
which are a
starting point for
meetings about
all production
needs with other
departments.
(Secret Garden)
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Act Sc. Pg.# Item
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
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LAMP
MATCHES
BEDCOVERS
KETTLE
PUMP
BOOKS
TABLE CLOTH
TRAY
TEACUPS
SAUCERS
PLATES
PIE
CREAM OR MILK
SUGAR
TEA LEAVES
BOOT SCRAPPER
PAPER
TEAPOT
BUCKET
WATER
LYE
RAG
KNIFE
TEA TOWEL
FORKS
CREAM JUG
CREAM
WOODEN SPOON
BOWL
DOUGH
Notes
lit and extinguished
fake?
1 is quilt
at sink
old leather
for tea things
Make / Done Find / Found
What is
missing
from this
document??
one per show or??
for tea
for tea
loose , in jar
outside porch door
to put boots on
for lye water
from pump
"Armstrong & Hammer" p 35
for floor washing
to cut pie
heavy cream for pie making
for cream
for dough
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Documents ALWAYS need a title along with other information and a
HEADER is a great way to do that.
Things to include in a header are:
Title of Document
Show
Producer / Theatre Company
Theatre Space
Season
Name of document maker / SM
Contact for SM
Date
Page number OF Total pages (page 1 of 4)
Possibly:
Version / Draft Number
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When does WHICH SM work happen??
Stage Management Documents / Activities
Prep
"Per Script" Lists, Scene Breakdown, Rehearsal Schedule Overview, Prompt
Script incl label. (Others incl: Cast List, Company Contact List, Distribution
List, Forms for Daily, Rehearsal and Show Reports,
Week 2
Rehearse
Daily Rehearsal Schedules, Rehearsal Reports, Actor Notes, Blocking, Key,
Props Tracking
Week 3
Rehearse
As Above
Week 4
Rehearse
Rough cues, Timings for sound, Prop placement, Plan scene changes, Plan
quick changes and As above
Week 5
Tech & Open Cues, (Running charts for ASM and Crew)
Week 1
Week 6
Run
Week 7
Run
Week 8
Run
Week 9
Run
Run and
Week 10 Close
Show Reports Daily, Laundry, Costume Maintenance, Prop and set
Maintanance, Floor Maintenance.
Hand in all paperwork to General Manager or Production manager for Archives.
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What do Stage Managers DO in rehearsal????
Rehearsal Observations
• An actor spending a good deal of time on their knees.
• Actor asking what they wear in this scene.
• Director telling 2 actors to both stand on the same bench during a scene.
• Actor spending a good deal of time running and jumping.
• Actor pretending to smoke during a scene.
• Actor produces a wallet for a scene.
• Actor lays-down across 4 rehearsal chairs that are being used for a sofa.
• Director tells an actor to come in the door right after the thunder.
• Director tells an actor to look out a window.
• Actor crumples a paper item during a scene.
• Actor turns on lights during a scene.
• Director tells an actor to come in the door right after the other actor sits
down.
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THEN: What do they DO with this information??
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