What Does a Stage Manager Do?

The Stage Manager is one of the most important people involved in a WRCT show. This person is the director's "right-hand man," and is actually in control of the production once the show runs. This job is also a good choice if you'd like to be a director someday, as it gives you a taste of some of the director's responsibility.

The Stage Manager is expected to be at auditions, all rehearsals, and all performances. Other responsibilities are listed below.

• Maintaining the schedule, and inform people of any schedule changes
• Keeping track of all late nights, and the time that everyone leaves the theater each night
• Informing the library staff when people get to the theater, and when they leave
• Setting the stage and turning on the lights before each rehearsal, and turning the lights off at the end of the evening
• Contacting actors and crew members who are late for rehearsals
• Establishing a phone list for the production
• Following the script during rehearsals
• Recording all blocking and changes in the script
• Cueing actors on missed lines after they are off book

• Maintaining a sign-in sheet for actors and crews to sign on performance nights
• Seeing that cast members are in place and that they make their entrances on time
• Making sure that the crew headsets have batteries and are working properly
• Making sure scene changes run correctly
• Making sure light and sound cues are met
• Telling the cast members what time they should arrive for makeup and costuming
• Make sure that all crews and cast are in place for show time
• Cleaning up the backstage area after a performance and seeing that the stage is ready for the next performance
• Informing the security person on duty that all lights are off and everyone has left the theater