Production Stage Manager

[Tag]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 2:00pm

I have been trying to find a decent definition/website/etc. of what the duties of a production stage manager does (as opposed to just a stage manager).

Can anyone help me out? Thanks!

[Tag]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:05pm

bump

[apdarcey]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:09pm

the two terms are synonimous. one is just a tad more detailed.

[lifeisacabaret]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:12pm

A production stage manager is there right from the start of planning and rehearsals, and is responsible for the overall running of the show, but not on a day to day basis. They will also supervise further mountings of the show in other territories.

A stage manager, exactly that. The overall stage management of the show on a day to day basis.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 10:14pm

Okay...ready for a long answer?

Pre-Production:

The PSM will be involved in some if not all of the productions meetings with the designers, director and artistic and producing staff. He/She will more than likely take notes, on each aspect of the production, set-design, costumes, lighting, props, directorial needs and desires etc. In most cases he will take these notes and put them together to send out to each individual in attendance so that everyone will be on the same page as to what was agreeded upon or discussed in the production meeting. There can be any number of production meetings depending upon the size and complexity of the show.

Before the show goes into production the PSM will meet with the director to talk about how the director would like to have the rehearsal organzied. If more than one rehearsal space will be needed. How many hours a day the director wants to rehearse, how the director would like the rehearsal space to be set-up etc. This info will be passed on to the Company Manager who will arrange for the rehearsal space, transport of props, making sure that the studios have enough tables, chairs, pianos (if needed)...etc.

The week before the production goes into rehearsal. The PSM and his assistants (stage manager and assistant stage manager) will make sure that all the rehearsal materials are gathered, such as scripts and scores, contact information for the cast, artistic staff and production crew, insurance information, Equity paper work, office supplies, 1st week rehearsal schedule, costume fitting schedule, and possibly an outline of a Tech Schedule. They will assemble individual packets containing contact information, scripts, scores, Equity paper work, rehearsal schedules etc. to be given out to each member of the company.

Many times the PSM will also do a scene breakdown, which shows which actors are in which scenes, so that individual rehearsals can be called without calling in the entire company. Sometimes the director will do this with the PSM.

A day or two prior to the start of rehearsal depending upon the size of the production, they may go into the rehearsal studio and start setting it up. Taping out the set, setting up tables, and generally getting it ready for the 1st day of rehearsal.

REHEARSALS:

During the rehearsal process, the PSM will take down all the blocking of the show, and make list of prop additions or subtractions, the same for the scenic element,lighting and wardrobe. He will also track where props are set, where they are removed, where they need to enter from or exit to, the same for any wardrobe pieces or set pieces and of course the entrances and exits for each individual actor. He may have his assistants be in charge of one or more of these list, but in the end he will complie them into a cohesive form.

The PSM will also keep track of any script changes and make sure that all members of the Artistic Staff, Design Staff and Acting Company have an up to date script.

At the end of each rehearsal day, the PSM will check with the director about the next day's rehearsal call. Let the actors know if there have been changes to the call, and generally make sure that everyone is prepared for the following days rehearsal.

The PSM will send out a Rehearsal Report at the end of each day to the Design Staff, Artistic Staff, Producers and General Manager, letting them know about any changes to the script, props, wardrobe, lighting or scenic requirements. It would also include rehearsal hours, costume fittings, plus notes on the progress of the rehearsals, if any problems have come up, if anyone was late, if overtime is owed to anyone or if anyone had a melt-down during the rehearsal etc.

TECH REHEARSAL:

During the Tech process, the PSM will be in the House at the production table with the Lighting Designer, Set Designer, Director, and Production Manager. He will be working with all of these people during the Tech. booking the light cues, scene shifts, sound cues as well as being in contact with his assistants who will be backstage overseeing the the acting company and stage crew. Prior to the start of the Tech the PSM will have gone over the entire show with his assistants, scene by scene to work out as much of the logistics as possible before the actual tech.

At the end of each Tech...there will be a production meeting. These meetings are usually about solving problems that have arisen during the tech. The PSM will keep a list of changes, and things that need to be done at the work calls prior to the start of the next days Tech. They could include things as small as the need for a mirror in a quick change area, to cutting an entire set piece. These things will be included in the Rehearsal Report.

AFTER OPENING:

This is where it can get tricky. Sometimes productions will employ an Assistant Director or a Production Supervisor who will take on the task of the artistic upkeep of the production. However, if that's not the case then the PSM has that responsibility. In any case, the PSM is in charge of the production on a day to day basis, he schedules all rehearsals, vacations, calls the show, trains the other stage managers to call the show, schedules costume fittings, wig fittings, files daily Performance Reports and is the person that has to answer to things when something goes wrong.

This is sort of the short list of what a PSM does, there's much more involved but my fingers are tired.

One last thing:

Equity does not officially have a PSM category:
It's STAGE MANAGER, 1st ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER, 2ND ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER...ETC. The PSM is Officially the STAGE MANAGER.

Updated On: 6/25/06 at 10:14 PM

[renthead333]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:23am

how do u get a job of a PSM and what kind of schooling is needed?

[Tag]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:26am

Thanks for all that info, but I guess my main question is what is the difference between a PSM and an SM?

[allofmylife]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:35am

Think Colonels and Lieutennents. The PSM is there from the start, he passes the info on to the SM and is in charge of the enlightenment of tour SM's, replacement SM's.

I believe you would need a pretty good theatrical education and an apprenticeship to get a job like that.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:41am

LOL...after all that!

The PSM is the BOSS at the theatre. The Stage Manager is his assistant. The PSM delegates the responsibilities, the SM and the ASM work directly under him. Ultimately he's the person in charge. He works with the the general manager, crew-heads, the company manager, the actors, the conductor,the house manager, on the day to day running of the show.

There's no true definition of what a PSM does. I'm sure if you spoke to 5 different PSM's you'd get 5 different answers.

[clarkstallings]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:48am

I know that with regards to tours, the PSM is simply the Broadway SM. For like "Wicked" you have the SM for the tour and then you will usually have the Broadway SM listed as the PSM. Same thing for electricians.

[Bdwy24]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 1:15am

One tour in particular....

The PSM and SM take turns calling the show.

When the PSM calls the show the SM is in charge of making sure everyone is doing there job. Double checks that props on the sets are in place correctly. Makes sure that the local crew are in the right place at the right time.

When the SM calls the show the PSM is in the house taking notes. The ASM is the one who then takes over the duties of SM.

Did that make any sense?