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.