This course is a continuation of studies of the working procedures, forms, and regulations used by the stage manager in the Broadway format. Students will be taught the union regulations governing actors, stage managers, designers, and the technicians in the theater is that directly relate to the stage managers work. Students will explore the professional level operation of audition and rehearsal procedures, working with the designers, technicians, and the front of house staff. Additional discussion will be made to maintain the quality of the show and of moving and touring productions. Problems of working in dance and music theatre will also be addressed.
Required Materials
- Stage Management (7th Edition) Stern, ISBN 0-20533-531-4
- The Stage Management Handbook, Ionazzi, ISBN 1-55870-235-0
- Various Union contracts via the Actors’ Equity Association website.
- Tools: 16′ tape measure, pencils and erasers, scale ruler, 9×12 sketch pad, 30,60,90 triangle, 1 1/2″ D ring binder with section separation tabs.
Course Overview
Members of this class may be working as stage managers, assistant stage managers on Pace’s stage productions. Students in this class will build practical prompting books, forms, and various personal methods of completing required tasks. Other useful tools, used by the production stage manager, will be explored using the internet and other sources of research. We will also be working with the directing class in a cooperative arrangement; matching directors and stage managers together to experience actual production processes. You may be asked to make yourself available to work on department productions.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate:
- Methods required to oversee production elements for an off-Broadway size production
- An understanding of the obligation to coordinate equipment and theater maintenance during the run of a stage production.
- · Leadership skills to supervise/liaison with the various department heads and Theatre production staff.
- The proper terminology and nomenclature of theatrical production and facilities.
- Knowledge of the appropriate tools and techniques to stage manage a fully realize Pace University production.
- An understanding of each position of responsibility in a producing organization.
- A working knowledge of computer programs currently used to assist stage managers.
- An understanding of the interaction between theatrical unions and producing organizations.
- An understanding of the inner workings of regional repertory theater companies.
- An understanding of proper and safe working procedures in the use of technical stage equipment.
- Methods to equip themselves with a variety of printed, web-based, and institutional resources to enable them to continue to work in a safe, efficient, and comfortable environment.
Teaching Methodology
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if: you could learn from doing? Learn from your friends while doing something you’re interested in? Be allowed to make mistakes and then simply fix them to your satisfaction?
I will be posing several questions during our time together. Few of them will I answer. I will, however, guide you to sources that will help you formulate your answers. Sometimes, you will find the best solutions. Sometimes you’ll need to be pushed a bit further.
Course Requirements and Grading
Your grade is based on a variety of factors: commitment to the responsibility given, quality and completeness of assignments, quality of presentations, proper adherence to safety guidelines, class participation, promptness, crew hour work, quizzes, exams and homework. You can expect a midterm and a final. Please take note of the attendance policy on page three. An additional assignment may be given to work along side the directing class on the evening of one-act plays at the end of the semester.
