As a Stage Manager, you are responsible for organizing rehearsals, running performances, and keeping everyone and everything on track and in sync. To do the job well, you need to be a communication wizard—able to collect a wide range of details and share them as effectively as possible. The Stage Manger’s Toolkit is more than another overview book which generalizes how to be a Stage Manager. It presents the day-to-day duties in detail—discussing not only what to do but also why. Focusing on communication best practices, the book explores objectives, paperwork, and the questions that need to be asked in order to ensure a smooth production whether on Broadway, at a university, or somewhere in between. Introduces strategies for sharing information both in person and in writing Explores how document design can enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of your reports, charts, and lists Contains principles for web-based information sharing as well as hard-copy paperwork Provides customizable paperwork templates on the accompanying website, allowing you to put the ideas to work on your own show Other features: Organized based on the chronology of a typical theatre production: pre-production work, rehearsals, the tech period, performances, and post-production duties. In each section, the book outlines the objectives for the stage manager and the communication techniques that will ensure success. Provides examples of paperwork a stage manager commonly works with, including variations for plays and musicals, shortcuts for shows on an abbreviated time table, and strategies for maintaining consistency and legibility. The book highlights differences the stage manager may encounter when working on professional and academic productions.

Table of Contents:
FOREWORD by David Grindle Introduction: The Stage Manager as Communicator ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Chapter One: Avenues of Communication Face to Face Communication Written Communication Chapter Two: Principles of Document Design Identifying Your Audience Fonts Color and Shading Accessibility Continuity What’s In a Name? Chapter Three: Pre-Production The Given Circumstances The Calendar Analyzing the Production The Character/Scene Breakdown Meeting with the Director Meeting the Production Team The Prop List Auditions The Contact Sheet Thinking About the SM Team Chapter Four: The Prompt Book Organizing the Prompt Book Preparing the Prompt Script The Script for the Musical Chapter Five: Rehearsals The First Rehearsal Table Work Music and Dance Rehearsals Blocking The Daily Call Conflicts Fittings The First Runthrough The Rehearsal Report Production Meetings Scene Work Adding the Elements Updating Paperwork Chapter Six: Technical Rehearsals Creating the Tech Schedule Types of Tech Rehearsals Preparing for Tech Technology for the Stage Manager Working with the Crew The Preset List The Shift Plot Paperwork Variations The Costume Plot Cueing Stepping Up to Run the Show Rehearsal Reports during the Tech Period Chapter Seven: Performances Previews Refining Your Routine Opening Night Working with Front of House Changing Personnel The Performance Report Maintaining the Artistic Integrity of Your Show Working with Understudies Emergency Plans and Problem Solving Chapter Eight: Next Steps Moving the Production The End of the Line- Or Is It? Epilogue: FINAL THOUGHTS APPENDIX