GC2: Hierarchical Structure & My Role and Responsibilities

As the Stage Manager, I will have a great deal of responsibility during the planning process for the production. I will have to delegate jobs to team members and ensure deadlines are met by all departments. This is important because I have to make sure we are organised with time management, meaning tasks are not left until the last minute.

I will work particularly closely with Gemma, the DSM, because she will be the point of call for transferring information from the rehearsals (director’s comments) to us as the production team. Information such as certain props that are required will be passed on, so that we can source it.  Gemma must know the show inside out because on the nights she will be queuing the lights and sound, all of which will be prepared prior to the show week.

I will form a good relationship with my ASMs and backstage crew because for the dress rehearsal and the show itself, I will be managing from backstage. This means I must be on track with pieces of set and where it comes on stage from. There must be enough room to store set/props plus the actors in one space. I must also delegate who is responsible for what props (ASMs / crew. E.g. how many people are needed for a scene change and who brings what on/off stage. The props table needs to be keep high standard organisation and to prevent anything from going missing. If microphones are used there will be a mic table for each one. They are expensive and easy to break so they must be kept in the best condition which means I must ensure this is organised too. Mics also need to be fitted / fixed if they break, with the help of my ASMs, crew and John (sound).  I must be Costumes must be organised also, because there will be fast costume changes between scenes and for safety they must be hung and placed appropriately because performers may need to move quickly from one side of the stage to the other. There can be no obstructions.

I will also work closely with Lucy and Anna, the Costume and Props mistresses. I will be helping them (especially Anna) with their job which means I must be up to date with what they are doing. I will have overall responsibility for the budget (how much we spend) therefore I will try to keep this as low as possible and research where the best places to go to find what we need are and also finding alternative ways of making props, saving money.