Stage Management Course

Lesson 1 • Professional Standards and Conduct

Introduces industry norms, union agreements, and workplace conduct expectations. Sets the behavioral baseline for all professional practice covered ahead.

Lesson 2 • Production Team Structure

Maps every key collaborator the SM coordinates with daily. Understanding team structure enables effective communication throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • The Stage Manager's Role Defined

Establishes who the stage manager is and what authority they hold. Grounds all subsequent skill-building in a clear professional identity.

Lesson 1 • Budgeting and Resource Tracking

Covers the SM's role in monitoring petty cash and supply budgets. Responsible resource tracking supports the production manager and builds trust.

Lesson 2 • Creating Contact Sheets and Information Packets

Establishes how to compile and distribute essential production information. Accurate contact sheets prevent communication breakdowns during rehearsals.

Lesson 3 • Reading and Breaking Down the Script

Teaches systematic script analysis to extract all production requirements. This breakdown drives every list, schedule, and cue document created later.

Lesson 4 • Building the Production Calendar

Covers scheduling from first rehearsal through closing night. A well-built calendar is the SM's primary planning tool referenced throughout production.

Lesson 1 • Preparing the Rehearsal Space

Covers physical setup of the room before each session begins. A properly prepared space allows the director and cast to work without interruption.

Lesson 2 • Running Rehearsal Calls and Schedules

Teaches how to build and distribute daily rehearsal schedules. Efficient scheduling maximizes productive time and respects contractual work rules.

Lesson 3 • Managing Rehearsal Props and Costumes

Covers the tracking and care of rehearsal items used before final pieces arrive. Proper management prevents loss and prepares actors for technical rehearsals.

Lesson 4 • Taking and Distributing Rehearsal Notes

Establishes the standard for capturing and routing director and designer notes. Accurate notes ensure every department receives actionable follow-up items.

Lesson 1 • Leadership Styles in Stage Management

Examines how different leadership approaches affect team dynamics. Choosing the right style for each situation improves rehearsal room culture.

Lesson 2 • Conflict Resolution Techniques

Provides structured methods for de-escalating and resolving workplace disputes. Resolved conflicts preserve working relationships and keep production on track.

Lesson 3 • Supporting Cast and Crew Wellbeing

Addresses the SM's duty of care toward the company's mental and physical health. A supported company performs better and sustains longer runs.

Lesson 1 • Managing Email and Digital Communication

Covers professional email standards and digital communication protocols. Clear digital communication reduces misunderstandings across large production teams.

Lesson 2 • Maintaining Production Paperwork

Establishes systems for organizing all production documents throughout the run. Organized paperwork enables fast retrieval during high-pressure situations.

Lesson 3 • Facilitating Production Meetings

Teaches how to prepare agendas, run meetings, and distribute minutes. Effective meeting facilitation keeps the production on schedule and decisions documented.

Lesson 1 • Preparing for the Technical Rehearsal

Covers all SM tasks required before the first tech session begins. Thorough preparation prevents costly delays once the full company is on stage.

Lesson 2 • Calling Cues During Technical Rehearsals

Introduces the mechanics of calling lighting, sound, and fly cues from the prompt book. Accurate cue calling is the SM's most visible technical skill.

Lesson 3 • Dress Rehearsals and Final Preparations

Addresses the shift from tech to full dress rehearsal conditions. Dress rehearsals are the final opportunity to resolve issues before opening night.

Lesson 4 • Stop-and-Fix Versus Cue-to-Cue Protocols

Distinguishes between different tech rehearsal formats and when to use each. Choosing the right format keeps tech efficient and respects company time.

Lesson 1 • Handling Performance Emergencies

Prepares the SM to respond to accidents, technical failures, and medical events. Calm, decisive emergency response protects the company and the audience.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Show Checks and Procedures

Establishes the systematic pre-show routine that ensures a safe, ready stage. A consistent pre-show checklist prevents avoidable performance problems.

Lesson 3 • Managing Intermissions and Scene Changes

Covers SM responsibilities during breaks and transitions within the show. Smooth scene changes and intermissions maintain production quality and pacing.

Lesson 4 • Post-Show Wrap and Reporting

Covers all SM duties after the final curtain each night. Thorough post-show procedures protect the production and prepare for the next performance.

Lesson 1 • Maintaining Production Integrity Over Time

Covers strategies for preserving the director's vision through a long run. Consistent quality requires active monitoring and regular production checks.

Lesson 2 • Managing Understudies and Swings

Addresses the unique scheduling and tracking demands of understudy and swing programs. Prepared covers protect the production against unexpected absences.

Lesson 3 • Closing a Production Professionally

Establishes the SM's responsibilities during strike and production close-out. A professional closing protects relationships and completes the production record.

Lesson 4 • Integrating Replacement Cast Members

Teaches the process of rehearsing and integrating new actors into an existing production. Smooth replacements protect the show and welcome new company members.