Some people are so attached to their ideas of how something will happen, or whether or not it will work, that they become upset when their expectations are not met. If it is there, I’ll do it. It can be doing someone else’s dishes (or even your own dishes). They organise all practical and technical aspects of rehearsals and shows and ensure that performers and crew are in the right place at the right time. And if it still doesn’t feel right, walk away. The stage manager is essential for keeping everyone on track and on time. Join TheatreArtLife to access unlimited articles, our global career center, discussion forums, and professional development resource guide. Find out more about being a Stage Manager including pay, responsibilities and skills needed. 10 Things To Know Before Starting A Stage Management Career. Take notes in rehearsal. Learn more about our subscription plans. They are not the ones who give up, or get cross when something doesn’t go as planned. Realizes that that bulk of responsibility for the smooth running of the rehearsal process and the production run is on their shoulders. Experience as a manager is a must but so is knowledge. She was generous with her time, generous with her laugh, generous with her patience. The more you understand design, the easier job you’ll have as a stage manager maintaining a designer’s intent. It is perhaps the most important characteristic that I demand of people in my life, so it makes sense that I value it in good stage managers. Generosity is something that comes naturally to some, but f… For me, having integrity is two-fold. 10 Top Qualities of a Great Director I love working with directors that have any or all of the following qualities. And as for doing what you believe to be right. Always takes responsibility for the production, always is early for any call, always is ready for the unexpected, and always is ready for what is to happen next. That way they can bring enthusiasm, care and love for the job to every show, even if everything else around them is not going so well. What happens when you work on a show that you hate (yes it happens!)? DISCLAIMER: THEATRE ON A SHOESTRING did not willfully use any copyrighted material for the publication of this website. There should very rarely a need for a Stage Manager to lose his … As I look up at what I’ve written above, I realise that these skills can apply to anyone in any field. Xander Taylor: It Started With Xena, Warrior Princess, Jan Freese - Set Designer in Berlin, Zurich, Vienna, and Paris, Arts & Live Events Around The World: July 9-15, 2018, Light In The Darkness: The Do's and Don'ts Of An Emergency Situation, How to Be a Writer: Do The Work and Get Writing, Andrew Lloyd Webber Continues Efforts To Reopen Theatres, Mike Broadhurst: Interview with a Manchester based Theatre Technician. If he has an idea, he will ask his team to try everything (even the ridiculous) to get it to work. Being goal-driven is one of the most impactful qualities of a good manager. 5 Qualities That Every Production Manager Should Have ... leader without good communication skills and any aspiring Production Manager will need to display this at interview stage. We apologize for any oversight in the acknowledgement of the copyright of the respective object. The stage manager begins before rehearsals and is one of the last people out of the theatre on closing night. There are a few skills, though, that are less discussed – generosity, passion, persistence, consistency and care. Good stage managers assume responsibility. When everyone knows what to expect of you, they are put at ease. The stage manager hears all the complaints, has to deal with all the problems, and receives the blame for everything that goes wrong. Remembers to always add "please" and "thank-you" to everything you do and say. 3. Everyone either laughs or gets frustrated as his perpetual persistence seems endless. The stage manager I mentioned at the start, the one who was, for me, the best stage manager I ever worked with, was not only generous but always caring. The stage manager works closely with the director and artistic staff during rehearsals, recording all blocking, entrances, exits, changes, etc., so the director can focus on actually directing. Listen - Problems may not always come to you so always keep an ear to the ground for potential problems. The stage manager I looked up to the most when I was younger was the most generous person I knew. You are an integral part of this great ride. Efficiency, organizational ability, congeniality, unflappability, knowledge of technical aspects of theater, energy and devotion, calmness under fire, and an effortless ability to announce “Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s half-hour—half-hour—to curtain” on the backstage monitor, night after night after night. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal process and coordinating communications among various production teams and personnel. You would make sure live stage performances run smoothly. Even if it is difficult for them or takes up a lot of their time. His shows are always so inventive and creative and it is partly due to his persistence that his work is so unique. Of course, you can always go above and beyond, but maintaining a level at which everyone can rely on is what makes everyone around you relax. Care, respect, generosity and passion are all closely linked, but they can be distinct too. I like to think of it like the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Good stage managers think ahead. The senior stage manager at The Royal Opera House explains how she reached this position. Good stage managers are considerate. 2. Remembers that responsibilities can and should be shared with able assistants. There are many different degrees offered for managers, including a bachelor’s degree in business or a master’s degree in leadership or project management. Managers are the force that create and maintain a thriving work atmosphere for their employees, engaging and motivating individuals to success, and inspiring them to follow the greater company vision. Stage managers are in charge of the physical stage area of theatres as well as the technical aspects such as lighting, sound, props and scenery. After becoming a mother to my two children, priorities shifted and I found it more difficult to be as generous at work. Being in love with what we do is one of the benefits of working in the live performance industry. You can find out more about becoming a stage manager from the Stage Management Association. Our contributors are currently writing more articles for you to enjoy. There is a shadow side to generosity though, as for some it can mean putting everyone else before yourself – always. As I found my way further into the field of stage managing, I practised generosity as a way to emulate her. They work out what is the next logical step is and try that. First and foremost, a stage manager must be organized. The best stage managers always do what they say they will do. Stage managers are responsible for ensuring that theatrical performances run smoothly and to schedule. A good stage manager can take in all of the scheduling needs from the director, music director, vocal director, choreographer, fight choreographer, dialect coach, movement coach, production manager, costume designer, etc. and reasonably accommodate everyone's needs in a timely manner. Additionally, there are time when you may have to alter designs on tour to fit into different venues and you’ll use these skills to do so in ways that … A manager may have the power to hire, fire, discipline, or promote employees especially in smaller organizations with the assistance of the Human Resources staff. And I must emphasize the word clearly! After a while, I found my own groove and stopped needing to emulate others. They need to know what is being rehearsed and when, who is needed at each rehearsal, and how much time is left in rehearsal. Generosity is something that comes naturally to some, but for me, it is something I need to foster. In larger companies, a manager may only recommend such action to the next level of management. Good managers need to be able to understand how to form motivational and realistic goals, then guide the process to align with organizational objectives. As the world of work continues to change so do the qualities and characteristics of the managers who are going to be leading our companies. If you have a way of working that is more practical for you, by all means use it. Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals. These are only guides and are not intended to be "rules" for stage managing. By clicking submit you agree to receive emails from TheatreArtLife and accept our web terms of use and privacy and cookie policy. You can also get a certificate in project management, entrepreneurship, ethics, or human resource management. Organization Mediate - Don't cause problems, solve them. Laurie Swigart ~Director, Designer, & Webmaster ~laurie@dreamcoat.org ~ 715-781-5760. As stage manager Will Lewis mentioned in his profile for Prompt-Side.com , consistency is key when calling, but it also translates into anything we do in the live performance world. Maintains a professional attitude at all times: Remaining loyal to all aspects of the production and never gossiping with the cast. Try something else. What happens though, when the passion isn’t there? All rights reserved. Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals. If a manager is able to establish trust with his or her team, employee retention, productivity, and engagement can increase as a result. We are not responsible for other sites' content or links. It is a way of showing respect to all people and all things. The stage manager is the person who everyone can go to when they need answers to questions or help solving problems. Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. All pages that contain links to other sites do so to assist visitors in finding useful and related material. Attention to detail is the difference between a good stage manager and a great stage manager. And a relaxed team is always a better team. In between those times, they become the life line, the communications hub for the entire production team and the performance ensemble. Melanie Selwood is a stage manager, project manager and consultant with more than 15 years' experience in Australia and the United Kingdom. Become a contributor with TheatreArtLife. Organization is your key to success and the success of the production. All the best Stage Managers I have encountered have all of these.… The job of stage manager is one of the most time consuming, difficult, and important positions in the theatre. It can be putting your phone away when someone is talking to you. What follows is a guideline for assisting you in your job of stage manager for this production. If an actor is sick they call their stand in. As you prepare for a job in management, keep in mind these 25 qualities and characteristics of a good manager: Personal Characteristics Characteristics of a Good Stage Manager Good stage managers keep their cool. A numbered sign‐out sheet should be created by the stage manager to track script distribution. One of the qualities of a great manager is knowing how to convey the mission to others, and proposing a clear way of thinking that can orient everybody’s work. Maybe the hardest thing is to remember to be generous to yourself. (And then I get the satisfaction of ticking it off my list when I’ve done it). Select JOIN to get started! Copyright (c) 1997-2020 Theatre on a Shoestring. As I found my way further into the field of stage managing, I practised generosity as a way to emulate her. They are ‘soft skills’ – difficult to learn at university but can be fostered within oneself. Good managers are one of the greatest assets to any company and share the common characteristics below. Is organized, efficient, and observant: Always has paperwork ready, props gathered, rehearsals and meetings organized, and always be ready for what is to happen next. Well, if it doesn’t feel like it is the right thing to do, speak up, make your case. Why must a stage manager have all of these qualities, and what does it do for them? Remembers that responsibilities can and should be shared with able assistants. The copyright for any material created by THEATRE ON A SHOESTRING is reserved. 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