And make sure you keep a copy of your blocking key in your prompt book. Student directors need to document their process, including showing clearly the reasons for the directorial choices they have made. 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. 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 teaching theatre, technical theatre. Posted in resources, secondary education tagged script analysis, student directors leave a comment. If youre working with a very large cast on a very huge production, make an extra copy of your script. Promptside recently got in contact with gail to find out more about callq and what it can do for stage managers. Also, we identify tips and tricks to perfecting your stagemanagement skills. The book outlines the duties of the stage manager and assistant stage. The stage managers responsibility is to ensure that communication and collaboration occurs on a regular basis throughout the process.
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. Blockit is a web app for stage managers to create a digital prompt book. You will have to scour the internets for samples and templates and examples. 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. Prompt book news newspapers books scholar jstor april 2016 learn how and when to remove this template message.
Choose styles that clearly indicate specific advantages or disadvantages of each document. Prompt book layout, including cueing notation preshow check list performance report 4. For a refresher on the characteristics of a good stage manager, take a look at the book stage. Graphic design tips web design tutorials graphic design portfolios book. The general manager and active production chair will enter all approved changes. Stage managers sm make notes of all changes in the prompt book script, so check your list with theirs. Preparing your prompt book 5 prerehearsal meeting with director or choreographer 6 running rehearsals 7. The document linked below is a sample of a movement piece, which contains all. Follow these steps and your stage manager will be ready to go in no time.
Gail pallin, stage management teacher and author of stage management. The prompt book must be prepared in advance of the first rehearsal, so the stage manager is ready to go right away. Outline the change you purpose and the reason for this proposal. Accept responsibility keep their cool keep their eyes and ears open and know when to share their opinions. Prompt book information link to details about the prompt book. This paperwork is available to modify and use for production work at the university of iowa. They are kept with their costumes in the dressing room and are the actors responsibility as well. However, i find that i naturaly view the stage even when working on it from the audiences perspective, so prompt and offopposite prompt are mentaly assigned to that side of the stage, not the left side of the stage.
Posts about prompt book written by awesomestagemanager. Generally a lead stage manager will keep the master book, which is then. A couple of good items to add to your prompt book are rehearsal reports and production reports. 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 information in the prompt book allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to. 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. If you would like to propose a revision to this handbook, please email the production manager. A prompt book isnt just a random extra copy of the script though. The stage manager for each show is in charge of the prompt book. While i know some stage managers create these electronic calling scripts and then call the show from the screen, i still prefer to print out the document and put it into my prompt book. Lovely aj gardner theatre technician stage manager resume. When i first started as an assistant stage manager, i started using a template i was given, and from there i developed some of my own for furture stage managers to make things easier.
Rehearsal report template teaching theatre, report template. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible youtube. Sep 22, 2010 while i know some stage managers create these electronic calling scripts and then call the show from the screen, i still prefer to print out the document and put it into my prompt book. A clearinghouse for information, the stage manager is responsible for organizing rehearsals and running performances.
Asms will need to coordinate the recording progress of this document with the sm. The sm should be one of the most informed and knowledgeable people in the production staff. Its sometimes known as the book, prompt copy or prompt script. Tech theatre resume template lovely aj gardner theatre technician stage manager resume. How to make a prompt book stage manager, theatre stage. Along with the materials outlined below, it would also include. His eight points explain perfectly what makes a good stage manager the best. Below are some paperwork templates that i have created, all are designed to be customizable. The information in the prompt book allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical. Stage managers handbook emerson stage production website.
The primary prompt book should have any and all information about a production in it incase the director, producer, anyone needs information. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal. Samples should show how the same information can be organized in three distinct ways. Oct 18, 2016 in this episode, we explore one of the many ways to build a stage management book.
Stage management handbook v4 home school of theatre. Production reports or performance reports cover most of the same items, but happen after. Stage managers checklist panttaja university of idaho. 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. Rehearsal report template teaching theatre, report. Checklistspreshow listed itinerary of all tasks to be completed before house opens until the show begins, including all. Oct 27, 2018 a prompt book isnt just a random extra copy of the script though. Not just to remind you, but in case something happens, someone else will be able to read and understand your blocking notations. Based on the 6 hour limit of outside rehearsal or activities for our show per week, you will be assigned to attend specific rehearsals on a weekly bases. It is a compilation of all blocking, business, light, speech and sound cues, lists of properties, drawings of the set, contact information for the cast and crew, and any other relevant. Compare three samples of the following types of forms used by stage managers. The official production book prepare the production book so that it is an accurate record of the production. Rehearsal reports include items like the date, call time, arrival time of cast, material covered in rehearsal, prop notes, lighting notes, set notes, costume notes, and any other items to the production staff.
The prompt book should be sectioned off with the following tab dividers, with the listed information under these headings. Stage managers also use this master script it contains to prompt actors if they forget lines during rehearsal. As all stage managers know, doing line notes for actors once they are off book is one of the most gueling parts of the job. In your own words, on a single typewritten page for each document, decribe the features of each document and how it might be better organized, more functional, or better formatted than other examples. The prompt book, also called transcript, the bible or sometimes simply the book, is the copy of a production script that contains the information necessary to create a theatrical production from the ground up. Unfortunatly, there is no accepted format for the distribution of scripts electronically, which basically means that there is no dedicated stage management tool. In this episode, we explore one of the many ways to build a stage management book. 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. They are the lines of communication between actors, director, designers, technical staff, and front of house exc. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal process and coordinating communications among various production teams and personnel. Sm log book a place to write down notes throughout the production process.
The information in the prompt book allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling. The prompt book, also called transcript, the bible or sometimes simply the book, is the copy of. How to prepare a stage managers prompt book theatrefolk. This means that i now often have a separate calling script and. There is a lot to be said for the old way of making a prompt book. The prompt book the prompt book is a working document that organizes lists, schedules, notes, reports, script, etc.
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. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor. 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. The one im really proud of is this one for what i would call fancy shows shows that are expected to run a long time andor need a really robust contact sheet. The book outlines the duties of the stage manager and assistant stage manager throughout a production, discussing not only what to do but why. For a refresher on the characteristics of a good stage manager, take a look at the book stage management by lawrence stern. This is a page that we can post templates for different paperwork that stage managers generate. In regards to paperwork, most stage managers borrow other peoples templates to start, and then customize as preferences develop.
As actors are struggling to get off book, you or your. Formatted exactly the same as our normal librettovocal books 7. Stage props list, example of props list free download. Stage manager scripts are enlarged and printed, singlesided, on standard 8. Rehearsal hall, rehearsals, calling script binder sample. The member of stage management often the dsm cueing the show is said. Below is a set of templates to be used as a starting place for your backing.
These are organizational meetings design meetings occur as scheduled by. Once a show goes up, i keep my prompt book at the theatre. Assembling your prompt script can feel like a tedious process, but the time you. Get production staffs schedule on time cards schedule a first production meeting. Stage management handbook v4 west virginia university. As all stage managers know, doing line notes for actors once they are offbook is one of the most gueling parts of the job. Jobs online web design web design quotes web design agency graphic design tips web design tutorials graphic design portfolios. Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. This means that i now often have a separate calling script and blocking script as the page numbers and line numbers no longer match up once i input the visual cues.
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