The stage managers toolkit provides a comprehensive account of the role of the stage manager for live theatre with a focus on both written and verbal communication best practices. How to prepare a stage managers prompt book theatrefolk. The sm should be one of the most informed and knowledgeable people in the production staff. Student directors need to document their process, including showing clearly the reasons for the directorial choices they have made. Microsoft onenote its not perfect by any means, but having the ability to store a massive amount of information including text, sketches, audio and links in a single cohesive document without the rigidity of word and then be able to share it with an entire production team has been brilliant. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Detailed sections illustrate rehearsal skills like taping the stage, making prompt books and calling scripts, using blocking and cueing shorthand, running production meetings, and other tricks of the trade. Blocking is keeping track of the actors movements across the stage.
Duties and responsibilities the duties and responsibilities of a dsm can seem complex and endless, so in order to make a more palatable description the following. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues, and is used by the deputy stage manager to run. Prompt book has a cover page and contains all sections covered in class production calendar, contact sheet, script with blocking notes, and rehearsal reports. Its sometimes known as the book, prompt copy or prompt script. The prompt book, also called transcript, the bible or sometimes simply the book, is the copy of. Actors equity association defines it as, the accurate playing text and stage business, together. Auditions a preaudition b auditions and callbacks c post auditions pre first rehearsal 3. Compare three samples of the following types of forms used by stage managers. The prompt book contains blocking notes, any changes that have been made. A mark on the stage or rehearsal floor usually a piece of tape that denotes the specific placement of a piece of scenery or a prop.
The view from prompt side a stage managers perspective. Documents should be placed in sections in a threering binder in the following order. Prompt book has clear sections that are marked by tabs and possibly color coded. Stage management handbook v4 home school of theatre. Shall assemble and maintain the prompt book which is defined as the accurate playing text and stage business, together with such cue sheets, plots, daily records, etc. The prompt book should be sectioned off with the following tab dividers, with the listed information under these headings. Shall be responsible for the calling of all rehearsals, whether before or after opening.
Rehearsal report blocking notation as it might be incorporated into the script tech week schedule prompt book layout, including cueing notation. How to make a prompt book resources for stage managers. It contains all the information a stage manager, substitute, or assistant would need to know in hardcopy form. Before tech the stage manager will create a calling script or prompt book into which they have transferred major blocking notes, plus all the light, sound and set change cues. A new overview section identifies what a stage manager does, from preshow conferences to closing night in limited, touring, and extended runs.
One of my stage manager friends suggested creating a cover page for the front cover of the prompt book binder, has anyone done this and if so, how do i make it look professional. Use divider sheets to make sections for the script, score if the show is a. Rehearsals a read through first rehearsal b subsequent rehearsals c moving to the mainstage 4. Outline the change you purpose and the reason for this proposal. Used when the prompt corner is stage right instead of the usual stage left. Larger shows often need two or more stage managers. Usually a prompt book is contained in a 3 ring binder and uses tabbed dividers to separate out the different sections. The stage manager is the renaissance man of the theater. Good qualities and responsibilities of a stage manager. The prompt book, often known as the bible of the show, is a crucial tool. A deputy stage manager dsm is a member of the stage management team tasked mainly with the running of rehearsals and calling the show to ensure a smooth production. Ive used it for large amateur shows, school shows and seen it used on some. Information about the prompt book will be covered in each section of the sm handbook.
There is no official way to create or maintain a prompt script. This may be for architectural reasons in a theatre with no wing space stage left, or may be because of the layout of set pieces which obscure a view from stage left, or because the band is on stage left and the deputy stage manager cant hear herhimself cueing. The awardwinning animated film and stage play comes to life in this romantic and beloved take on the. Samples should show how the same information can be organized in three distinct ways. My question is regarding how to make my prompt books look as professional as possible when i present them. Adhere all of the individually resized sections to the same blank sheet of. Take all blocking and staging notes for director, include information on set, lighting, sound and prop needs. The three things a stage manager should never be without in the theater are. Follow these steps and your stage manager will be ready to go in no time. Choose styles that clearly indicate specific advantages or disadvantages of each document. Gail pallin, stage management teacher and author of stage management. The essential handbook, together with partner and software developer iain, have created callq simulation software that teaches the user how to call a show. Posts about prompt book written by awesomestagemanager hit the stage building a stage manager book wedding planning keep it simple with a wedding time holds every light, sound, and prop cue, plus every scenery and costume change in the whole show.
As lighting, sound and set change cues are developed, the stage manager records them in a book, which he will use during performances. In modern theatrical productions, the prompt book is generally maintained and kept by the stage manager, with differences in the specific construction and organization to suit the style of the stage manager keeping the book, and the type of production legitimate theatre, musical theatre, dance, opera, etc. Over time, with the rise in complexity of theatre due to advances such as mechanized scenery, quick costume changes, and controlled lighting, the stage managers job was split into two positions director and stage manager. The information in the prompt book allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs. Blocking is keeping track of the actors movements across the.
Sm log book a place to write down notes throughout the production process. The prompt book the prompt book is a working document that organizes lists, schedules, notes, reports, script, etc. During rehearsals, the stage manager works with the director to record blocking, light, sound and set change cues in the prompt book, a master copy of the script used to run technical rehearsals and the actual performances. The book outlines the duties of the stage manager and assistant stage manager throughout a. The information in the prompt book allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each. In rehearsals the stage manager also records all blocking, plus all the light, sound and set change cues, in a master copy of the script called the prompt book.
Posts about prompt book written by awesomestagemanager. And make sure you keep a copy of your blocking key in your prompt book. Once a show goes up, i keep my prompt book at the theatre. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues, and is used by the deputy stage manager to run rehearsals and later, control the performance. But essentially they all have one function in common.
It must be prepared in advance of the first rehearsal, so the stage manager is ready to go right away. The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and. Blockit is a web app for stage managers to create a digital prompt book. Assembling your prompt script can feel like a tedious process, but the time you invest. Create and distribute a rehearsal report to all cast and crew members after every rehearsal. Stage management technical theater training program. In the united states, stage manager is a generic title that may be applied to anyone who performs stage management functions. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to. I find that an even keel and levelheadedness best serves a stage manager. In regards to paperwork, most stage managers borrow other peoples templates to start, and then customize as preferences develop. Not just to remind you, but in case something happens, someone else will be able to read and understand your blocking notations. Script stage managers prompt book, undated new york public library digital collections. Checklistspreshow listed itinerary of all tasks to be completed before house opens until the show begins, including all time calls. The primary prompt book should have any and all information about a production in it incase the director, producer, anyone needs information.
It is one of the elements of stage managements that shows the most personality, as every stage manager has a slightly different style. How to prepare a stage managers prompt book kayla e decoration how to prepare a stage managers prompt book one of the stage managers most important tasks is to create and maintain the prompt book sometimes known as the show bible which is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. On small shows, one person typically performs all the tasks of stage management, and is simply referred to as the stage manager. Billy rose theatre division, the new york public library. Generally a lead stage manager will keep the master book, which is then copied by assistants on a nightly basis to account for any new information. Below are some paperwork templates that i have created, all are designed to be customizable. Rehearsals have been exciting, with everyone working together in a big warehouse. Glossary of technical theatre terms the theatre building. Stage managers checklist panttaja university of idaho. The stage manager can take this home with all pertinent information to the production regarding schedules, conflicts, future fitting and meeting requests and todos, and leave the blockingcall scripts at the theatre. Each of the designers lighting, sound, scenic, costumes meet with the stage manager to discus lighting and sound cues, costume changes and movement of the scenery, which the stage manager writes in the prompt book. Documents should be placed in sections in a threering binder in the. Many playwrights, directors, and actors have previously worked as an assistant stage manager.
Promptside recently got in contact with gail to find out more about callq and what it can do for stage managers. He or she must have a working knowledge of how the various technical aspects of the theater work scenery, props, costumes, lights and sound, be part director, part playwright, part designer and part producer, and be prepared to act as confidant, counselor and confessor to everyone else in the company. Post audition and pre rehearsal, rehearsal period, tech. A copy of the script all blocking written into the script any research materials reactions to each rehearsal, including. Stage management software top 10 list controlbooth. All paperwork concerning the production should be kept here. One of the stage manager s most important tasks is to create and maintain the prompt book sometimes known as the show bible which is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. Along with the materials outlined below, it would also include. Stage management by briana shipley byu theatre education.
The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. Prompt books come in all shapes and sizes, designed for slightly different purposes or for use by people in different roles within the theatre. With the addition of tabbed divider sheets, the binder can easily become the productions prompt book, keeping the script, set and lighting plots, rehearsal reports and various paperwork in one place. They are the lines of communication between actors, director, designers, technical staff, and front of house exc. I have wondered if maybe i should write a book, zen and the art of stage management, brevoort says. If you would like to propose a revision to this handbook, please email the production manager. Ill be communicating with our stage manager, who will be on sidestage, and our five assistant stage managers, who will be keeping the sections and ensembles moving to the right place at the right time.
904 25 1260 760 1356 493 723 589 151 1121 1363 1572 1509 1455 231 337 850 837 1401 584 1103 1627 1602 578 1241 426 580 774 1208 89 230 1009