DUTIES OF THE STAGE MANAGER

Planning Period
1.    Become thoroughly familiar with the play.
2.    Know your fire fighting equipment and the location where each is to be found.
3.    Know which switches on the S.M. console control each work light.
4.    Obtain a scaled floor plan of the set from the Designer and lay out the set on the rehearsal floor.
5.    In the event an Assistant Stage Manager is assigned to the show, give him/her whatever duties you feel are (1) too burdensome for you to carry out, (2) within his/her capabilities of carrying them out, or (3) necessary for his/her to assume because of geographic location.  These duties should be spelled out clearly at the onset of your working relationship and added to as your needs become apparent.

Rehearsal period
1.    Attend rehearsals to become thoroughly familiar with the Director’s interpretation and wishes, actors’ blocking and all other phases of the production that will later need your attention.
2.    You are responsible only to and will take orders only from the Director (and assistant if (s)he has one) and the Technical Director of the show.
3.    Assume full responsibility for a professional attitude backstage once technical rehearsals begin.  You alone are responsible for a perfect performance and must have instant respect and response from actors, crew heads and crews.  Report any infractions or dereliction’s of duties by anyone that you yourself cannot handle to the faculty member involved.  It is your responsibility also that the show remains intact as it was rehearsed and the integrity does not suffer because of changes that may slip in.
4.    Keys and/or lock combinations will be assigned to you by the Technical Director.  You will open all doors necessary to the proper functioning of the performance and no others.
5.    Make a complete list of all actors, crew heads, crew members, light and sound board operators, and anyone else connected with the success of the performance as soon as possible or as soon as crew members are determined, and get their address and phone number.  If anyone is not at the theatre at least one half-hour before performance – longer perhaps for actors – you will either call or send a runner after that person.  Have all company personnel report to you personally and check them off on your sign-in sheet.
6.    Enforce no smoking or eating or drinking on stage or in the auditorium unless it is called for in the script.
7.    Sweep the stage before each rehearsal and performance.  At times it may be necessary to also mop or vacuum as well.
8.    Rehearse all shift crews until they arrive at the proficiency that is expected of them during performance.  This should occur before technical rehearsals begin.  Walk through all shifts slowly at first and speed up as conditions permit.
9.    Spike the set as soon as furniture or other scenic elements are set.
10.    Place luminescent tape or paint wherever necessary for actor’s and technician’s visibility during blackouts.  Inform the Head Electrician where running lights are necessary backstage for the actor’s safety.
11.    Make sure we have as tight security as possible by locking the theatre securely after each rehearsal or performance.  Do not depend on anyone else doing this.
12.    If headsets are being used for communication among the production crew, keep your on even though you are not expecting a cue or other communication.  If you do take your headset off, inform the crew members that you will be off headset and when you will be back on headset.  Report same when you come back on.

Performance Period
1.    You have total authority during any performance and no one may dispute you.
2.    Keep all visitors out of the backstage area before, during, and after the performance.  Visitors backstage at any other time should have a guide.
3.    Before each curtain check entire set carefully; check all stage doors to make sure they work properly and are either open or closed as called for, check drapery hangings, furniture placement, pictures, props, etc.

Strike
1.    Assist in the strike until the end.
2.    Check on all Heads of crews to make sure all their equipment used for the play is put away properly.
3.    Take roll call at the end of strike and report to the Technical Director those people assigned to strike but didn’t make roll call.