2-Hour Meeting Answer #3

1) What makes a Stage Manager essential to a theatrical production?
2) The need for a centralized figure to keep everything organized.
3)
a. A Stage Manager is responsible for keeping all documents and reports together for future reference, on them at all times. If anyone needs specific information, the Stage Manager will always have it on them or will be able to note down to ask someone else about it.
b. Documents that a Stage Manager needs to have organized can include things like contact information for cast and crew, the master script, scene descriptions, emails, notes, and other important documents.
c. All of these documents are kept in the prompt book, which unlike I previously thought, does not only contain a copy of the script. The prompt book is usually a heavy duty 2 inch three ring binder.
4) Source 34, How to Make a Prompt Book published on Lois Backstage, explained that the Stage Manager needs to be organized so that every person working on the show has one person to go to instead of stopping theirs and others work.
5) Next, I plan on looking up other documents that a Stage Manager needs to keep organized and at the ready in order to keep everyone on track.

Fullerton

We are full on in Fullerton Festival swing, and in addition to the tech crew games I competed in last year, this year I will be adding a new performance category: improv! While I am nervous, I am nonetheless excited for this opportunity, and I’m sure me and my team will get some good laughs during our time slot. Also, if you see me walking around tying knots, know that I am in the zone and in training!

Fourth Interview Questions

1. What makes a Stage Manager essential to a theatrical production?
2. What routine do you generally follow when calling the show?
3. What does 'blocking' mean to you?
4. What do you feel is a Stage Managers most important task? Why?
5. What are some of the specific jobs during a show that make a Stage Manager completely necessary?
6. What regular theatre position, if any, could replace a Stage Manager? How would this work?
7. During the rehearsal period, what do you spend a majority of your time doing?
8. What kinds of things do you find yourself doing things for the show when you aren't at rehearsal or at a show?
9. How much time do you spend working on a show? (Including periods outside of rehearsals and show dates)
10. Why is a centralized figure needed to complete specific tasks?
11. What are some of the special skills a Stage Manager needs to have?
12. Why couldn't the actors pull off keeping their own blocking and running the show on their own?
13. How does the Stage Manager contribute to the success of a show?
14. When is it okay for a stage manager to not be there?
15. What is the Stage Managers goal when working on a show?
16. In what way should a Stage Manager interact with the cast and crew?
17. Why does the Stage Manager involve themselves with so many people?
18. Where is the Stage Manager stationed when running a show? Why?
19. What is the Stage Managers role as the head of the Stage Crew?
20. What are the consequences of removing the Stage Manager from a play?

2-Hour Meeting Answer #2

1) What makes a Stage Manager essential to a theatrical production?

2) A Stage Manager is essential because they are the people who call the shows.

3) 

a. Calling the show and the cues is the way the Stage Manager keeps the show running smoothly, by communicating with the tech crew, stage crew, house, and actors.

b. During the show, this is the Stage Managers main job, as it requires a lot of focus and attention to detail.

c. When the Stage Manager is running the show, the entire production is in their hands, and that is a lot of power that can only be taken on by people who can work with and lead others.

4) Source 27, an article titled Stage Management by Alandra Hileman, showed me that running the show is one of the most complex and rewarding tasks that a Stage Manager must perform.

5) I plan to continue my study of my seconds answer by looking up for research, and through real life experience in my independent component.

Delval

Rehearsals for the spring show I will be directing have recently started, and I must say I am very excited. In addition to my play, Delal Divas, drama will be putting on two other shows, Nunsense and New Kids at Vampire High, a feat no sane theatre department would attempt. While this will require new lighting and set challenges when switching between shows, which will rotate so each show is performed three times, I am looking forward to solving the problems and putting on quality shows!

Independent Component 2 Plan Approval

1) For the second independent component, I will be stage managing or working on several projects for the iPoly drama club. I will be stage managing for the production of Del Val Divas, and a couple of smaller scenes for Fullerton Festival.
2) 30 hours will be easily completed, because the various scenes and show will require 4 days of rehearsal per week, for several weeks until May.
3) My EQ aims to understand why a stage manager is necessary to a production, and gaining experience in the field under a professional teacher is easily the best way to learn what is important.