house/stage managers

[the.hard.part]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 1:08pm

I was wondering what you should consider studying in college if I want to be a house or stage manager, also do you think someone right out of college would be able to get a job like this or would you need to work other places first? also does anyone have any idea of a salary range for these occupations? thanks!

[mebice]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 1:29pm

It would be good to get training if you want to be a stage manager. A lot of colleges have degrees for stage management or just focuses of it. Thats what I am in. I am going for a BA in theatre studies with an emphasis on Stage Management. Its very hard, i think, to go from school to being a professional stage manager. You need an equity card, just like an actor. A lot of times, if you are good, the house you are sming at will give it to you, but otherwise you have to earn it just like everyone else. Yeah, I think if you like it, and there arent many people who do like it and who can handle such pressure, I think going to school and learning how to do everything it involves and learning equity rules is a good option. Salary is very very big spectrum. I was talking to the head of stage management of CCM last year and she told me that someone who has been working on phantom since it opened makes more than the stars, MUCH more. But, you dont have to worry about not paying the bills, on the other end of the spectrum, because you are in a union. House management, I am not sure what to tell you there. All I know for certain, as I was once a house manager for a summer equity house, is that you need cpr and first aid training. I dont think there is an actual degree for that. My advice, try everything because I was so into sming and now because I dabbled in other things am on track for theatre management/producing now. Good luck

Updated On: 9/11/05 at 01:29 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 1:31pm

I just got a job as a house manager - well, house assistant....and an usher.

But I am studying to be a stage manager.

[bially082]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 2:21pm

House manager and Stage manager are two VERY different jobs, with VERY different reponsibilities. The minimum salary for a stage manager on Broadway is higher than the minimum for an actor on Broadway. And the number of SMs in the business is not that high, so the competition is a little lighter than for actors. Don't become a proessional house manager, go for Stage Manager.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 2:39pm

I've always wondered: what does being a stage manager consist of? What exactly do they do?

[YankeesFan175]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 2:41pm

i also wonder what they do. im new to the whole theatre thing, so i really dont know. any help would be great, thanks!

[GypsyRoseLee]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 2:46pm

The stage manager is in charge backstage. He or she keeps the prompt scripts in order during rehearsals. (When you purchasea published play, and it has things written in italics like "crosses stage left" those are notes that the stage manager frm the original production made.) Also, when the show opens, the director takes over for the director, and it is their duty to teach all the blocking and whatnot to new replacements. They generally keep things going backstage with sets and stuff, too.

For people going into the profession for the first time, I would imagine you'd have to get started on the Stage Crew or as the assistant stage manager before you moved up.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 2:48pm

OY! What doesn't an SM (or ASM for that matter do?) They hold the master book w all the directors notes directions etc and are responsible for ensuring that the show goes on "by the book." The key skill that I have ever heard from my one friend who was an SM @ Shaw Festival was organizing & delgating. ( when & to who) ( a lttle bit of ability to instill fear helps too)

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 2:49pm

A stage manager runs the show.

Makes sure actors follow their blocking, make sure cues are set (lights and sounds, etct).

A stage manager makes sure everything goes the way it should...there's a lot of little stuff I won't go into.

When a trap door has to open, the SM calls it.

When Idina fell through the trap door, it was the SM's job to make sure everything went well.

When new cast memeber come in, the SM can make sure they know the blocking.

The director isn't really involved once the show is running. The SM runs the show, literally.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 3:07pm

A good SM also is a bit of a grey eminence, whose presence is felt if not always seen. They know ( or should) everything thats going on such as who is feuding w who, boffing the wrong people, getting ready to do a runner, to make sure the show keeps sailing along. While the SM in Wicked would be accountable for the trap so would the individual he delegated the actual action to ( chain of command )

[mebice]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 3:40pm

Yes...the SM is god when the show is running. I think (at times) that the sm has the same authority of a director. The quote in big fat greek wedding always comes to mind on how to handle a difficult director, the director is the head, but you are the neck and you can control what the head does if you are good. I know it was something like that. One of my all time favorite sm quotes is "The definition of a stage manager: the person who rarely gets credit when everything goes right" I must admit its a lot of little things and you have to be good at even more things. You have to be in charge yet still being friendly, know the show better than anyone else so you can call cues right, be able to handle ANY technical or other difficulties, and everything else in the world. However hard and tedious this job is, you get to see magic on stage in front of you every night and know that you were apart of that magic. So, it is rewarding.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 4:17pm

"The man is the head but the woman is the neck and the neck turns the head whatever way it wants"

There are often SM teams- SMs who work w their reg group of ASM's. This team approach often can contribute to the smooth running of the show.