What is this Hypertext?

This is an amateur guide for amateur stage managers and the like. It is written by a college educated, but still amateur, stage manager. It is not meant to be an absolute guide, but merely a starting point for those who are curious or need help – generally at high school, college, or community levels. Perhaps even a source of inspiration to those who already have some experience stage managing. It is written with the managing of plays in mind, but most of the ideas can be applied to other staged performances. Stage management is rather difficult to put into words - this guide may give an idea about what is involved, but can only do so much to prepare for the actual experience.

What is Stage Management?

For those readers who have some interest in stage managing, a warning: of all the jobs in theater production, stage management has earned the reputation of being the least fun and most work. It requires a person to organized and able to think critically of what is happening. I give a longer description of the job here, but in essence a stage manager is the hub of the production of a show. They are normally present throughout the entire process and collect and distribute information. During the actual show, the stage manager is the one in charge. There are several different schools of thought toward stage managing, and this guide is, of course, gives the aspects of the school I follow.

Well I do make stage managing out to be a lot of work, it is also very rewarding. Once directors, designers, and actors understand how usefull stage managers are, they love to have them and many experienced members of the theatrical profession demand them. As such there is always a job for a stage manager.

Why am I writing this?

My name is Steven Fetter, and I’m a stage manager. I am a junior at Santa Clara University majoring in Theatre Arts with a focus in stage managing. I stage manage anywhere from two to four shows a year for the department in theatre and dance. I tend to work on non-musical productions, but have been involved with both musicals and dance shows. Enough people have asked for advice about stage managing to lead me to write this guide.