Stage Management Training

Lesson 1 • Production Team Structure

Maps every key collaborator and their relationship to the SM. Enables effective communication by clarifying who owns each decision.

Lesson 2 • The Stage Manager's Role Defined

Establishes what a stage manager does across all production phases. Grounds subsequent chapters in a clear professional identity.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to Production Paperwork

Surveys the core documents an SM creates and maintains. Provides context for the detailed paperwork skills developed in later chapters.

Lesson 1 • Props, Costumes, and Set Tracking

Extracts all physical production elements from the script into organised lists. Feeds directly into departmental coordination covered in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Scene and Character Breakdowns

Covers building scene-by-scene and character-by-character grids from the script. These breakdowns drive scheduling and casting decisions.

Lesson 3 • Cue Identification and Notation

Introduces the process of marking potential cue points before technical rehearsals begin. Prepares SMs to enter tech with a pre-notated script.

Lesson 1 • Prompt Book Assembly and Maintenance

Guides construction of the definitive production record, the prompt book. A complete prompt book enables any qualified SM to take over the show.

Lesson 2 • Technical and Performance Reports

Extends report-writing skills to tech rehearsals and the run of show. Captures notes, timing data, and safety incidents for the full production record.

Lesson 3 • Contact Sheets and Calendars

Builds accurate, living documents that keep the entire company informed. Establishes habits of version control and timely distribution.

Lesson 4 • Rehearsal Reports

Covers the structure, tone, and distribution of daily rehearsal reports. These documents are the SM's primary communication tool with absent departments.

Lesson 1 • Adapting Schedules in Real Time

Builds decision-making skills for adjusting schedules when creative or logistical needs shift. Prepares SMs for the dynamic reality of active rehearsals.

Lesson 2 • Building the Rehearsal Schedule

Teaches the step-by-step process of drafting a full rehearsal schedule from scratch. Connects scene breakdowns from Chapter 2 to practical time allocation.

Lesson 3 • Daily Call Sheets and Advance Schedules

Covers the creation and distribution of daily calls and multi-day advance schedules. Keeps cast and crew informed and reduces last-minute confusion.

Lesson 1 • Managing the Rehearsal Room Dynamic

Addresses the SM's role in maintaining focus, safety, and morale during rehearsals. Builds the interpersonal skills that keep a room productive under pressure.

Lesson 2 • Preparing the Rehearsal Room

Covers room setup, spike tape, furniture placement, and supply management before rehearsal begins. A well-prepared room signals professionalism and saves creative time.

Lesson 3 • Understudy and Swing Rehearsals

Covers the unique demands of running cover rehearsals separate from the main company. Ensures understudies are performance-ready without disrupting primary rehearsals.

Lesson 4 • Starting and Ending Rehearsals

Establishes protocols for opening and closing each rehearsal session efficiently. Consistent routines build company trust and protect contractual time.

Lesson 1 • Preparing for Technical Rehearsals

Covers all SM tasks required before the company arrives on stage for tech. Thorough preparation prevents costly delays once technical rehearsals begin.

Lesson 2 • Dress Rehearsals and Opening Night

Addresses the escalating pressure of dress rehearsals and the transition to opening night. Prepares SMs to maintain control as the production moves toward performance.

Lesson 3 • Managing the Stop-and-Start Tech Process

Develops skills for running a productive stop-and-start technical rehearsal. Balancing creative problem-solving with time management is central to this section.

Lesson 4 • Calling Cues from the Prompt Book

Teaches the precise language and timing required to call lighting, sound, and automation cues. Accurate calling is the SM's most visible technical skill during performance.

Lesson 1 • Emergency Procedures During Performance

Prepares SMs to respond to medical, technical, and safety emergencies during a live show. Decisive, calm action protects the company and the audience.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Show Checks and Protocols

Establishes the systematic pre-show routine that ensures every performance begins safely. Consistent pre-show checks are the SM's primary quality-control mechanism.

Lesson 3 • Cast Replacements and Cover Calls

Addresses the logistics of calling covers and integrating replacement performers mid-run. Ensures continuity of performance quality when the cast changes.

Lesson 4 • Maintaining Show Quality Over Time

Covers note-giving, performance reports, and director check-ins that preserve show quality. Addresses the natural drift that occurs in long-running productions.

Lesson 1 • Closing Night and Strike Coordination

Covers the SM's responsibilities on closing night and during the strike process. Proper closure protects the company and fulfils contractual obligations.

Lesson 2 • Building a Stage Management Career

Covers resume construction, networking, and professional development pathways for SMs. Connects the skills mastered in this course to real-world career advancement.

Lesson 3 • Production Archive and Documentation

Teaches how to organise and preserve the complete production record after closing. A thorough archive supports future revivals and professional references.