ARTICULATION DOCUMENT
T223 Stage Management
MODULE STRUCTURE
Module Category: Specialisation
Level (year of study): Year 2
Credit Units: 4 Modular Credits
Curriculum Hours: 90
Contact Hours: 60 over 15 weeks (4 hours per week)
Module Assessment: Continuous Assessment: 40%
- 15 Daily Grades
Summative Assessment: 60%
Understanding Test 1: 25% (online)
Understanding Test 2: 25% (online)
Understanding Test 3: 50% (online)
SECTION 2: MODULE OVERVIEW
The module T223 Stage Management prepares students with the fundamental principles
and working vocabulary for managing and coordinating productions*. Students will be
introduced to key roles and responsibilities of the stage management team – usually
consisting of a production stage manager, several assistant stage managers, and any
number of production assistants – in ensuring the seamless management of both the
technical as well as human aspects of a production.
This module will also encourage students to explore and begin to articulate individual as well
as collective stage management skills, practices, and cultures, as to enable the students to
recognize, and learn to adapt to, the varied needs and demands of the different and various:
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T223 Site-Specific Art
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i.
ii.
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departments and designations within the production
genres and disciplines in theatre, performing arts and live events
production scales (technical, logistic, administration, budget, talent, artistic, etc)
work culture and ethics
social-political climate
Students will engage scenario-based and simulated real-time stage management
responsibilities and engagements, supplemented by fundamental knowledge, skills, and
tools of theatre and performance production, and of people management, as an integral part
to their understanding and learning processes in the module.
* A production would refer to theatrical productions and live events not excluding concerts, musicals, public
speeches, community events, etc.
MODULE OUTCOMES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
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Manage and coordinate various aspects of productions: rehearsals, talents, artistic
considerations, budget expenditure, performance, technical set-up, etc.
Understand the process of how a production is conceived, rehearsed and performed
Aware of various types of organizational structure in different types of productions,
and understand how they function
Inculcate and demonstrate effective and strategic leadership, management and
communication skills during a production
Understand how to effectively manage and coordinate productions in different
rehearsals and performances spaces.
Acquire and understand basic terminology and vocabulary of performance and theatre
practice, production and spaces
Learn to prepare, apply and adapt various fundamental stage management skills and
tools in a production
Understand the key roles and responsibilities of the stage management team, and
how to effectively apply and adapt these in a production
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T223 Site-Specific Art
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Allocated time per day
Module Coverage
Lesson 1: Preparing for the Production I:
Understand the organizational structure of a
production and how it operates, learn the roles
and responsibilities of the stage management
team, and familiarize with the stage manager’s
kit that is required in any production.
Lesson 2: Preparing for the Production II:
Appreciate the work relationship between the
stage management team and the producer, and
understand how the scale of the production –
budget, technical, talents, logistic, admin, etc –
informs the planning and strategizing of the
production process – setting of datelines,
drawing rehearsal schedules, acquire and
manage resources, coordinate communications
between various departments in the production,
etc.
Lesson 3: Preparing for the Production III:
Understand how to support and assist the
director and the artistic team in pursuing and
translating the artistic vision and decisions in
the rehearsal space and the production.
Lesson 4: Studying the Artistic Vision:
Learn and understand the purpose of the
prompt book and how to prepare and apply this
tool during the process/rehearsal and in the
production.
Lesson 5: Analysing the text:
Understand the potential and constraints of the
rehearsal space with regards to the scale of the
production, and learn how to prepare and
manage the rehearsal space to ensure a safe,
productive and creative working environment.
Lesson 6: Conducting Rehearsals I:
Learn how to coordinate with the technical
managers and production team in sourcing,
setting-up, maintaining and operating
appropriate sound and light equipment for the
rehearsal space. Instill a resourceful and
initiative attitude and work ethics in the Stage
Manager in providing for the logistics of the
production.
Lesson 7: Conducting Rehearsals II:
Learn how to coordinate with wardrobe and
props master/mistress in sourcing,
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Discussions gathering
in Study
and team
Cluster
work
Skills
acquisition
and
practice
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consolidating, maintaining and coordinating
costumes and props for the rehearsal and
performance within the constraints of the
production budget. Understand how to be
economical and resourceful with the available
production budget.
Lesson 8: Conducting Rehearsals III:
Learn how to apply the prompt book and
blocking notations, how to manage the
performance flow and sequence during
rehearsals, and how to apply cue notation and
calling when working with actors during
rehearsals.
Lesson 9: Conducting Rehearsals IV:
Learn how to coordinate with the technical
managers and production team in negotiations
with the director, artists and designers on
translating and realizing the artistic needs and
designs into the limited space.
Lesson 10: Conducting Rehearsals V:
Understand the roles and responsibilities of the
production crews and casts, and learn how to
design and coordinate seamless and
economical scene changes and transitions for
both the traditional and contemporary
performance spaces.
Lesson 11: Preparing for Production Week:
Learn how to schedule, coordinate with the
production team, and conduct final checks and
preparations for, the crucial production week at
the performance venue. Understand key issues
in programming and scheduling for a
performance.
Lesson 12: Bumping-In and Technical Set
Up:
Learn the technical – light, audio, multi-media –
capacity of the performance space and how to
conduct and manage technical set-up and
rehearsals with the technical team.
Lesson 13: Conducting Technical
Rehearsal:
Learn how to commit to the production week
schedule and conduct productive, efficient and
economical set-up, checks and rehearsals with
the support of the production team.
Lesson 14: Conducting Dress Rehearsal:
Learn how to manage the actual performance,
and coordinate with all key production members
to ensure a safe, professional and successful
performance, and a satisfying theatre
experience for the audience.
Lesson 15: Show Time and Bumping-Out:
Understand how to manage a performance and
how to control and work with the natural and
unpredictable environment to ensure a
successful event. Learn the bumping-out
procedure.
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T223 Site-Specific Art
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Total = 15 Problems = 90 hours
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Module T223 Stage Management triggers that are scenario-based or of simulated events
unique to the progression and developments of production up to the stated week. This
practical approach aims to enable students to critically understand, appreciate and engage
what would be an actual process of a production through RP’s PBL pedagogy. To ensure
that students are trained to be both critical and reflective practitioners, each trigger will be
supplemented with fundamental stage management skills and tools, as well as readings on
related matters. Students will be given homework, tasks and projects to be completed after
school hours to enhance their learning and exploration in Stage management.
Students are required to obtain a SM (Stage manager) kit, which should consist of:
1. 1 Measuring tape (30m)
2. 1 pencil
3. 1 two-scale ruler
4. I roll of masking tape
5. 1 cutter
6. 5 rolls of marking tapes of different colors. (red, blue, green, yellow & black)
A pair of safety boots. All students are required to put on safety boots to class.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Gail Pallin
Lawrence
Stern
Scott Palmer
Francis Reid
Doris
Schneider
Stage Management: The Essential
Handbook
Stage Management (8th Edition)
London: Nick Hern Books
2003
Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon
2006
Stage Management Lighting and
Sound
The Staging Handbook (Third
Edition)
The Art and Craft of Stage
Management
London: Hodder & Stroughton
2005
London: A & C Black Limited
2001
Orlando: Harcourt Brace and
Company
1997
School of Technology for the Arts, Republic Polytechnic
T223 Site-Specific Art
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