The run of the show is what the entire production has been about. As the stage manager, make sure the show stays the same every night. The actors are portraying the vision of the director and designers, and it is part of the job to keep that vision the same very show.

Before the show

Before the show begins, the stage manager arrives before everyone else. Unlocks the space, and does what ever else needs to be done to prepare for the cast and crew to arrive. When the actors and crew arrive, make sure they sign in, and get ready. Double check to make sure everything is set, checked, and ready to go. Also, check the headset system, what ever you are using to be sure it is working. Shows have failed because of a broken head set system. Talk to the house management, if you have one, to make sure everything is set before an audience enters the space. Allow time for the cast to warm up, either on stage or in another location, again both vocally and physically. Do any fight calls on stage before the show. Be sure to give regular calls, at an hour, half hour, 15 and 5 minutes before the house opens and before the start of the show.

During the show

Once the house management gives the go-ahead, the show can begin. Stage Managers follow along in the script and call cues as they come up in the prompt book. Everything should happen as it did during technical rehearsals. If something does go wrong, keep calm and try to fix what ever happened. In minor incidents, a minor injury, misplaced prop or broken set piece, a work around is generally easy to enact. In more serious situations, sometimes actors must be pulled and scenery changed on the fly. In very bad circumstances, like serious injury, set falling apart, or fire, stop the show, make an announcement and work toward the best solution. The house management can help evacuate the house if necessary. However, most shows run smoothly, exactly as they did during technical runs of the show.

After the show

After the show finishes, and the audience leaves, everything should be cleaned up and put away, unless another show is occurs (sometimes happens on weekends). The cast should put away costumes and such, and after everything is back and away, turn off the lights and lock up the building. Be sure to leave your prompt book in the theater, in a safe location. Once the show begins, do not take the prompt book out of the building.