7 Ways to Keep Your Stage Manager Happy
Hannah Renee Crawford, Guest Editorial
We all know who really runs the show. While the director has the vision and can put together beautiful performances, the stage manager is the person who really runs it. Yes, you’ve had your fair share of bad and good stage managers.
As someone who has stage managed for years, my apologies if you have ever had a bad stage. There are few things worse in production than having someone who is not good at their job and is terrible at people skills. However, the bad aside, no matter if you’re a techie or an actor/actress, it’s vital to keep your stage manager happy with you during the run of a show from start to finish.
Communicate When You’re Running Late
An oldie but goodie: this is the most obvious common sense one, yet as someone who has stage managed dozens of productions, I can tell you this is the number one issue we face as stage managers.
Perhaps you assume you’ll get there just in time; arriving 5 minutes late won’t matter because your scene won’t be called till later, or no one will notice if you’re just two minutes late.
Every single minute matters to a stage manager in a rehearsal. So, if you’re going to be even 30 seconds late, just text or call your stage manager BEFORE the rehearsal time starts; it’s really not that difficult to give them a heads-up.
2. Look At the Daily\Weekly Calls in Your Email
This one is a trigger for us stage managers! Stage managers do so much work behind the scenes that actors and other techies don’t see. I can’t tell you how time-consuming it is to link up schedules and put together daily and weekly calls. So, when we do, the entire production team and actors need to take the time to read through them.
Most of the time, people glance at them quickly or assume it is like every other daily call and dismiss the email from their inbox. However, 75% of the time, there are changes from the original schedule or an important message that we attach to those emails. So, do a quick read-through of the entire thing every day for us.
3. Be Quiet When You’re Not On Stage
You’re not in high school, and stage managers aren’t babysitters. I can tell you the thing I probably dislike most about being a stage manager is asking people to be quiet multiple times. It is a common courtesy to keep quiet during rehearsal while others are rehearsing on stage.
Not only is it distracting for those on stage, but it is also distracting for the stage manager. We must assemble an SM script containing all stage directions and audio lighting cues. We must run it back when we get distracted, which takes time. Take it from someone who knows: stage managers know the ones who remain quiet during rehearsal and respect everyone's time.
4. Check In With Your Stage Manager As Soon As You Arrive
This one is simple and doesn’t need to take up time for you. Just simply pass by your stage manager, whether it’s at a rehearsal or when it's showtime. Simply showing your face and saying something like “Hey there!” to get your stage manager's attention is incredibly helpful.
One of the things I get most exhausted from, especially during actual performances, is trying to run around to physically place eyes on everyone. I can also tell you that most stage managers don’t like word of mouth: “Oh, I saw so and so in the green room.” We like to see that everyone is present and accounted for physically. So, help your stage manager out, pass by, and say hey on your way to the green room.
5. Get Into Mic Quickly
Yes, I get it. When showtime is here, most actors and actresses have a method of getting ready they like to stick to, whether it is stretching, vocally warming up, getting dressed, putting on makeup, checking props, or a million other things.
However, the stage manager's responsibility is to get everyone’s mic checked so that the house can open. So, you guessed it, a mic check can’t happen if everyone is not in the mic. Bonus points if you can get batteries put in and condoms on your mic while the tech crew is getting to everyone.
6. If a Prop Gets Left Behind On Stage, Pick It Up
Few things are more cringeworthy than watching scene after scene go by with a prop accidentally left on stage and no one removing it. Whether you are one of the main characters or a chorus member, do us all a favor and pick the prop up.
Either work it into your exit or stay until lights out and grab it in the dark. Either way, it is so much easier for an actor or actress to grab it than for the tech crew to coordinate with the booth to hold lights so it can be removed.
7. Respect Your Stage Manager’s Position
Last but certainly not least, respect your stage manager's position. Yes, I’m sure you will come across an unsavory stage manager with whom you just don’t seem to get along. That right there is another blog post in and of itself.
Remember that the stage manager got to where they are through years of experience or schooling. They deserve the respect of the position they are filling. Respect isn’t always “yes, ma’am and yes, sir.” Respect is learning what your stage manager needs, listening to what they ask, and then doing it.
One of the best shows I’ve ever stage-managed was The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime in Central Florida. This cast communicated with me, responded to daily calls, respected each other's time, and was always prepared for mic check. Yes, it was a dream cast. However, it just goes to show that when you have a stage manager who sets clear expectations and then meets them, everything can run smoothly.