DRAMA 101, INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE, MODULE 1 - Stage Manager

Summary

Martha Donaldson, a stage manager, discusses her pivotal role in theater production, acting as a conduit between the director, actors, and production departments. She details her responsibilities from the beginning to the end of a show's run, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the director's vision. Donaldson highlights the unique challenges and joys of outdoor theater, her favorite aspects of the job, including tech rehearsals and the collaborative process of creating a memorable show.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The stage manager, Martha Donaldson, acts as the central hub for all aspects of the show, facilitating communication between the director, actors, and production departments.
• 🎬 Martha is involved from the beginning to the end of the production, ensuring continuity and maintaining the director's vision throughout the process.
• 🎼 She has a specific interest in working on 'The Bacchae,' which led her to request the opportunity to stage manage the production at the public theater.
• 👩‍🎨 Joanna Akalaitis, the director, is known for her evocative and provocative work, making this a challenging and exciting theater project for Martha.
• 🤝 The stage manager's role is symbiotic with the director, assisting in bringing the director's vision to life on stage and ensuring the show's integrity after the director leaves.
• 🕒 Martha is responsible for keeping rehearsals on schedule, taking notes, and managing breaks and start/end times for the day's work.
• 🎭 A good stage manager needs to have a balanced personality, being able to maintain control while also being able to inject fun and lightheartedness into rehearsals.
• 🌳 Working outdoors in a park adds a unique dynamic to the production, making it a different experience from indoor theater and affecting how the show is perceived and planned for post-production.
• 🔧 Tech rehearsals are Martha's favorite time as it allows her to be in charge and ensure all elements of the production, including lighting and sound cues, come together seamlessly.
• 📝 Martha writes down blocking for the actors and keeps a call script with all cues, which is crucial during technical rehearsals for coordinating lighting, sound, and other effects.
• 🎉 The rewarding aspect of stage managing is the creation of a beloved and successful show, which is celebrated with the cast and crew at the end of the performance.

Q & A

What is the role of a stage manager in a theater production?

A stage manager serves as the central focal point for the show, acting as the conduit between the director, actors, and the production departments, ensuring the director's vision is realized and maintained throughout the production.

Why did Martha Donaldson want to work on 'The Bacchae'?

Martha Donaldson had a strong desire to work on 'The Bacchae' and specifically asked the public theater for the opportunity to be involved in the production.

Who is Joanna Akalaitis and what is her significance in this production?

Joanna Akalaitis is the director of the production, known for her evocative and provocative work, which makes her involvement a significant factor in the challenging and exciting nature of the theater project.

What does the stage manager do during rehearsals?

The stage manager keeps rehearsals on time, takes notes of what happens, ensures breaks and start times are adhered to, and maintains the flow of the rehearsal process.

How does the stage manager assist the director during the production?

The stage manager assists the director by helping to bring their vision to life on stage and, after the director leaves, is responsible for ensuring the show maintains the original vision and concept.

What is the importance of the stage manager's personality in managing a theater production?

A stage manager's personality is key to managing a production effectively. They need to be able to be serious and keep things under control while also being able to be light-hearted and fun, which is important for maintaining a positive atmosphere in theater.

What are some of the responsibilities of a stage manager during technical rehearsals?

During technical rehearsals, the stage manager is responsible for writing down all light cues, sound cues, pyro cues, and scene cues, ensuring that all technical aspects of the show are well-coordinated.

How does working in an outdoor setting, like a park, affect the theater production?

Working outdoors presents a different experience from indoor theater, affecting the way the show is perceived and executed. It requires planning for the unique environmental factors and can enhance the experience as part of a New York City tradition.

What does the stage manager mean when they refer to 'driving the train'?

Referring to 'driving the train' means that the stage manager is in charge of the overall progress and timing of the rehearsal and performance, ensuring everything runs smoothly and on schedule.

What is the stage manager's role in the final moments before a show opens to the audience?

The stage manager checks in with the house manager, opens the house for the audience, gives the one-hour call, and then transitions to the booth to oversee the final preparations and cues before the show begins.

What makes the role of a stage manager rewarding for Martha Donaldson?

The rewarding aspect for Martha is the creation of an awesome show that people love, which is achieved through the hard work, long hours, and the successful coordination of all elements of the production.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 The Role of a Stage Manager

Martha Donaldson introduces herself as a stage manager and describes her crucial role in coordinating the various elements of a theatrical production. She emphasizes the importance of being the central point of communication between the director, actors, designers, and production departments. Martha's involvement in the production of 'The Bacchae' is highlighted, showcasing her commitment from the project's inception to its final run. The paragraph also touches on the collaborative relationship between the stage manager and the director, with a focus on maintaining the director's vision throughout the production process.

05:02

🎉 The Stage Manager's Journey and Rewards

This paragraph delves into the day-to-day responsibilities of a stage manager, from keeping rehearsals on schedule to managing breaks and ensuring the cast's return to work. The stage manager's dual role as a serious organizer and a fun, light-hearted presence during rehearsals is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance for a positive theater experience. The unique challenges and joys of outdoor theater are discussed, along with the stage manager's favorite part of the process—the tech rehearsal, where they are in charge of coordinating all technical aspects of the show. The paragraph concludes by celebrating the rewarding nature of creating a beloved show and the satisfaction derived from the collaborative efforts of the entire theater team.

Keywords

💡Stage Manager

A stage manager is the central coordinator in a theatrical production, responsible for maintaining the director's vision and ensuring the smooth operation of the show. In the script, Martha Donaldson describes her role as the conduit between the director, actors, and production departments, highlighting the importance of the stage manager in realizing the director's vision and maintaining the show's integrity throughout the run.

💡Conduit

In the context of the video, 'conduit' refers to the channel through which communication and direction flow. The stage manager acts as a conduit, facilitating the exchange of information and ideas between the director and the various departments involved in the production. This term is used to emphasize the stage manager's pivotal role in coordinating all aspects of the show.

💡Production

The term 'production' encompasses all the creative and technical elements that come together to create a theatrical performance. In the script, the stage manager is described as being involved with the production from the beginning to the end, indicating the extensive responsibilities and involvement in the entire creative process.

💡Director

The director is the creative leader of a theatrical production, responsible for the overall vision and interpretation of the work. In the script, the stage manager's relationship with the director is highlighted as crucial, with the stage manager assisting in bringing the director's vision to life on stage.

💡Vision

The 'vision' of a director refers to their artistic concept and interpretation of the play. The stage manager plays a key role in ensuring that this vision is realized and maintained throughout the production, as evidenced by the script where the director's vision is mentioned in relation to the stage manager's responsibilities.

💡Rehearsal

Rehearsals are the practice sessions where actors and the production team prepare for the performance. The stage manager is responsible for keeping rehearsals on time, taking notes, and ensuring that the process runs smoothly. The script mentions the stage manager's role in managing rehearsals, including stopping for breaks and starting again after them.

💡Blocking

Blocking refers to the planned movement of actors on stage, which is an essential part of the stage manager's duties. In the script, the stage manager is described as writing down the blocking, which includes the movement of the actors and is crucial for coordinating the technical aspects of the performance.

💡Cues

Cues are signals or prompts for actions to occur on stage, such as lighting changes, sound effects, or actor entrances. The stage manager is responsible for noting and executing these cues during technical rehearsals, as mentioned in the script where the stage manager writes down light cues, sound cues, and pyro cues.

💡Technical Rehearsal

A technical rehearsal is a stage in the production process where the technical elements of the show, such as lighting, sound, and set changes, are integrated with the actors' performances. The script describes the stage manager's role during this time as being in charge of coordinating all the technical aspects to ensure they work together seamlessly.

💡Outdoor Performance

An outdoor performance refers to a theatrical production that takes place in an open-air venue, as opposed to an indoor theater. The script mentions that working in the park is a New York City tradition and highlights the unique challenges and experiences of performing outdoors, such as the impact of the setting on the show's atmosphere and the need to adapt to the environment.

💡Pyro Cues

Pyro cues refer to the specific moments in a show when pyrotechnic effects are triggered. In the script, it is mentioned that the stage manager is responsible for noting these cues, indicating the use of such special effects in the production and the stage manager's role in coordinating them.

💡House Manager

The house manager is responsible for overseeing the audience area of a theater, including seating arrangements and audience communication. In the script, the stage manager checks in with the house manager before opening the house for the audience, showing the collaborative nature of theater production roles.

Highlights

Martha Donaldson introduces herself as a stage manager and describes her role as a conduit between the director, actors, and the production team.

The stage manager's role extends from the beginning of the production to the final day of the run.

Martha expresses her aspiration to work on 'The Bacchae' and her successful engagement with the public theater.

Joanna Akalaitis is highlighted as the director of the production, known for her evocative and provocative work.

The stage manager assists the director in bringing their vision to life on stage.

After the director leaves, the stage manager is responsible for maintaining the show's original vision and concept.

Martha emphasizes the importance of the stage manager's role in driving the train of the production.

A good stage manager needs to have a personality that can be serious yet also maintain a fun rehearsal environment.

Working in the park is described as a fantastic experience and a New York City tradition.

Outdoor theater presents a unique experience compared to indoor productions, affecting the approach to the show.

Tech rehearsals are Martha's favorite time, as it allows her to be in charge of everything.

The stage manager is responsible for writing down all light cues, sound cues, and other technical aspects during technical rehearsals.

Martha enjoys the challenge of getting all the puzzle pieces to fit together during the tech rehearsal.

The stage manager's role includes running the rehearsal and then running the show, being in the mix the whole time.

Martha describes the process of opening the house, coordinating with the house manager, and preparing for the show.

The rewarding aspect of being a stage manager is creating a show that people love and enjoy.

Transcripts

Go. Hi, I'm Martha Donaldson and I'm a stage

manager. [MUSIC] The stage manager is the central

focal point for the show as far as being the conduit between the director and the

actors and like the actual physical production.

And all of the people who make the production happen, the designers, the,

all the production departments; and everything ideally flows back and forth

through the stage manager. I'm with the production from the very

beginning all the way through the final day of the run.

I got it in my head that I wanted to work on "The Bacchae," and so I asked the

public theater if I could do it. And so, here I am.

"Do you have the Dionysus entrance music? Here we go.

This production is very exciting because Joanna Akalaitis is the director.

When I first heard about it, I knew it was going to be a very big, challenging

theater project. Joanne does very evocative, provocative

work. [SOUND]

>> Look on me[CROSSTALK]

>> The stage manager is there to really

assist the director in making their vision come to life on the stage.

[LAUGH]

>> Joanne did you want to say one word about the Sids Pro?

>> That's actually the the aspect of stage

managing with Stephan, is that you are so integral to what is going on right

there[LAUGH] under the director. Usually, after the director leaves the

stage manager's the one who is responsible for making sure that the show

maintains the, the original vision and concept of the director.

So, that relationship is very important and very symbiotic.

Here we go, from the Holy music of the pipe.

Stage manager's kind of driving the train.

I keep the rehearsal on time, I take notes of what happens in rehearsal.

you know, I stop us at lunch when we need to stop.

I make sure everyone comes back, I get us started again and then I stop us at the

end of the day. Let's take a 10 minute break, everybody.

I love my cast. Number one, a good stage manager has to

have a personality, it's really key. But it doesn't hurt, It's inflatable.

It can be serious and I can keep things under control.

But, you know, I can be pretty goofy in rehearsal.

And I think that it's important to do that.

Because you know, theater is all about having fun.

I'm going to my table. Working in the park is fantastic.

It's a New York City tradition and it's so cool to be part of it.

Just doing this because it's outdoors is a completely different experience from

doing something indoors, first of all. But also this begins and then it closes

It changes everything about the way you feel about the show.

You want to make it as good as you can, and then you want to plan for what you're

going to do when it's over. I like the tech rehearsal.

That's my favorite time, because it's really my time to really, like, be in

charge of everything. To the hills, that's all I need to get us

into this scene. And it's a lot of work and a lot of hours

and very challenging as far as how you're going to get all the puzzle pieces to go

together. but that is what I like the most.

And I, and I, I like theater for its weird, crazy, long hours.

I mean, that's just part of it, part of an aspect of what I like.

And we're going to move on to Cadmus and Teiresias, Pentheus as soon as.

>> [SOUND] I do enjoy the dance.

>> This is the other thing that I do in

rehearsal is that I write down the, what we call blocking of course.

Which is the movement of the actors on stage.

I usually have what you call your blocking script, and then you have your

call script, which is where you put all the cues in.

because when you get into technical rehearsals, the stage manager is also

responsible for you writing down all of the light cues, all of the sound cues.

We have pyro cues in this show, scene cues, all of that stuff.

That was a thunder go? You see my, that's one aspect of, of the

stage manager. That first I run rehearsal and then I run

the show. So I'm you know really in the, in the mix

the whole time. At 7:30 I check in with the house

manager. I open the house.

We're ready to open. Go for it.

Joanna I'm opening the house. Okay, rock it.

That's it, house open. And then I go into the booth.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Bachae, it's 7 o'clock, this is the one hour call.

And then, you know, at 8 o'clock, or so, I get the house from the house manager.

Five minutes for Johnathan MacGraw. The stage manager is really[MUSIC] like,

okay, we're going now, places, lights go. The stage manager is making it happen,

lights, go.

[CROSSTALK]

Lights 123, go. [MUSIC] Go.

Nice. What makes it rewarding is ultimately

creating a show that's awesome and that people love.

Ladies and gentleman, congratulations, I will see you tomorrow, thanks everyone,

great job.

[SOUND][NOISE][NOISE]