According to actors equity association rules and regulations section 32. 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. In addition, our international committee is populated with over a dozen stage manager organizations across six continents. I usually take the first two letters or consonants and circle them. Checklistspreshow listed itinerary of all tasks to be completed before house opens until the show begins, including all. The stage manager also works with the technical designer in creating sets that match the directors needs and then finding the most efficient way for crew to change the sets quickly during the performance. But essentially they all have one function in common. Not just to remind you, but in case something happens, someone else will be able to read and understand your blocking notations. Promptbook definition of promptbook by the free dictionary. Maintaining the script and all documentation of your production in a single location is not just a good idea. Communicate with your regional stage management coordinator about how festival stage managers are selected and invited. As actors are struggling to get off book, you or your asm will have to be on book, available to prompt them.
From this point forth, the stage manager is charged with maintaining the integrity. Del hughes 19091985 was an american theater performer, stage manager and television director. 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. Jan 22, 2020 explore bobgandrups board stage manager prompt books. Script stage managers prompt book, undated new york public library digital collections. Promptside recently got in contact with gail to find out more about callq and what it can do for stage managers. Introduced by michael dobson, director of the shakespeare institute. Samples should show how the same information can be organized in three distinct ways. 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. 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.
School of music, theatre, and dance kansas state university. Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. Prompt book book that is a copy of the script which the stage manager created that has all of the. Feb 25, 2012 when creating a rehearsal schedule, you will need. How to make a prompt book stage manager, theatre stage. They are the lines of communication between actors, director, designers, technical staff, and front of house exc. May 04, 20 the directors prompt book is a good way for students to formalize their ideas about a play, develop a plan of action and create a document of the entire process.
From this point forth, the stage manager is charged with maintaining the integrity of the performance and technical direction. Stage management handbook v4 home school of theatre. Each student is required to bring his or her prompt scriptproduction books from the entered production. Posted in resources, secondary education tagged script analysis, student directors leave a comment. The stage manager is the renaissance man of the theater. All of the cast members conflicts scene breakdown production calendar the production calendar includes not just the audition and performance dates, but when people are building the sets, when publicity photos will be taken, and any dark days the theatre has. The prompt book should contain all blocking notation in addition to cue and warn marks. 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. 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 coordinate with the onstage action. Let the sma provide support for a project or next get together of local sms, no matter where. Blockit is a web app for stage managers to create a digital prompt book. Unfortunatly, there is no accepted format for the distribution of scripts electronically, which basically means that there is no dedicated stage management tool. A copy of the script all blocking written into the script any research materials reactions to each rehearsal, including what the director has. 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.
Hughes made his broadway debut in 1941 as a replacement stage manager and performer in the original play tobacco road at the forrest theater. Stage management technical theater training program. The primary prompt book should have any and all information about a production in it incase the director, producer, anyone needs information. The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. It is part of the attraction of the work that each new job will introduce new and different challenges. October 6 if youre a stage manager without a stage management team on international stage management day, or just in rehearsals and have your evening free in london, come join the sma and mandy teams for a drink in angel from 6pm to 9pm. Follow these steps and your stage manager will be ready to go in no time. If you would like to propose a revision to this handbook, please email the production manager. See more ideas about teaching theatre, stage and theatre stage. It distinguishes them from the other letter symbols. Gail pallin, stage management teacher and author of stage management. Freelance production and stage manager chair, stage managers association of the united states fellow and stage management mentor.
Must be enrolled in a high school, college, or graduate program focused on stage management, and not a member of any branch of any of the 4a unions. Jul 23, 2018 gail pallin, stage management teacher and author of stage management. To connect stage managers on a national basis, the sma has created a cohort of vice regional representatives across the country. Outline the change you purpose and the reason for this proposal. It is a primary responsibility of the stage manager, and one specifically articulated by actors equity association. Along with the materials outlined below, it would also include. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal process and coordinating communications among various production teams and personnel. The sm kit a look at my sm kit and a list of all the things that have gone into it, along with where to find the items. Essentials of stage management by peter maccoy, the stage management handbook by daniel a. Student directors need to document their process, including showing clearly the reasons for the directorial choices they have made. The prompt book, also called transcript, the bible or sometimes simply the book, is the copy of. Sm log book a place to write down notes throughout the production process. 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.
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. Stage management association, london, united kingdom. Chapters are laid out to reflect the order in which stage managers experience and perform their work. The sm should be one of the most informed and knowledgeable people in the production staff. While actors equity association, the union governing professional stage managers in the united states, does not. Most prompt books in the resource have a primary association that is, the individual. The book outlines the duties of the stage manager and assistant stage manager throughout a production, discussing not only what to do but why. Once a show goes up, i keep my prompt book at the theatre. During performances, the stage manager runs the book, which means he uses the prompt book to cue lights, sound and set changes. How to make a prompt book resources for stage managers. Billy rose theatre division, the new york public library. Posts about prompt book written by awesomestagemanager. Compare three samples of the following types of forms used by stage managers. Sm network is a forum for stage managers old and new.
Prompt book book that is a copy of the script which the stage manager created that has all of the blocking and rehearsal notes, tech cues and other instructions written into it so that the stage manager can call the show. 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. The prompt book should be sectioned off with the following tab dividers, with the listed information under these headings. 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. A stage manager under actors equity contract is, or shall be obligated to perform at least the. 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. The prompt book the prompt book is a working document that organizes lists, schedules, notes, reports, script, etc. And make sure you keep a copy of your blocking key in your prompt book. A new overview section identifies what a stage manager does, from preshow conferences to closing night in limited, touring, and extended runs. Prompt book synonyms, prompt book pronunciation, prompt book translation, english dictionary definition of prompt book. Apr 29, 2020 gail pallin, stage management teacher and author of stage management. Choose styles that clearly indicate specific advantages or disadvantages of each document. 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.
The professional experiencerefreshed takes the reader on a journey through all aspects of the craft of stage management in theatre, including the technological advancements that have come to theatre and the stage mangers job. 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. Before the rehearsals even begin, the production stage manager will ideally be. Must be enrolled in a high school, college, or graduate program focused on stage. There is a lot to be said for the old way of making a prompt book. The essential handbook, together with partner and software developer iain, have created callq simulation software that teaches the user how to call a show. The prompt book is the productions bible, containing a wealth of instructions and. Assistant stage manager asm usually shortened to asm, the assistant stage manager is the most junior member of the stage management team, and is often in charge of sourcing and running properties during the run of a show. A stage manager must have the temperament and ability to get along with people in both the artistic and technical sides of theatre, and to understand what they do. The stage manager and the technical director, designer, and properties master work out a smooth and. Prompt book definition of prompt book by the free dictionary. Also, is there anything i can do to my prompt books to make them look more professional. A beginning portfolio for designertechnicians or a stage managers prompt book are acceptable materials.
Usitt production manager and stage managemetn mentor, akron school for. Generally a lead stage manager will keep the master book, which is then copied by assistants on a nightly. Those who are working with stage managers such as production managers and technical directors, teaching stage managers, or who enjoy stage managing but do not practice it as a career. Prompt book basics prompt books come in all shapes and sizes, designed for slightly different purposes or for use by people in different roles within the theatre. The stage manager book is perhaps the most important thing to a stage. It must be prepared in advance of the first rehearsal, so the stage manager is ready to go right away. 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. An annotated script used by a stage manager or theater prompter.
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