Over the last few weeks my role as stage manager has become far more important. With the completion of the script we have been able to begin blocking scenes, which has meant I am able to begin to develop our staging, set, lighting and sound. After our production meeting in our Friday lesson (11th March) with Darren, we now know we are able to use the set design proposed by Lauren and are on the right track with PRS forms for music. The Stage Managers handbook is beginning to take shape and I have set up our Indiegogo funding page, which has allowed us to be a little more ambitious when sourcing set and props. We have already established that a great deal of our set and props can be sourced ‘In Kind’.
I have also been maintaining a sense of calm in rehearsals in order to support the producers and directors, as well as reinforcing high standards of care for our rehearsal spaces. In each rehearsal I have ensured we have had sufficient breaks and have mediated the few minor disagreements we have encountered. I believe it is important for a Stage Manager to uphold the professional values set forth in the code of conduct, in order for the company to perform at its best and gain the respect of other organisations and the public.
“An SM must not get pulled in to drama or hysteria. While everyone around may be losing their heads, an SM must maintain enough distance to remain calm and objective, ready to steer the ship through turbulent waters, and keep the show and the company afloat. As soon as an SM shows anything less than confidence and control, directors become nervous, producers fearful and performers insecure.” (Fazio, 2000)
L, Fazio. (2000) Stage Manager: The Professional Experience. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
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