Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Job Descriptions for ADs & St Mgrs

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   Am curious how some of you define jobs for your stage managers and assistant directors.  I work in a relatively established community theatre organization, but all of our support staff are volunteers.  Some have semi-pro backgrounds and some are fresh with no prior knowledge.  How do you use your assistant directors and stage managers?

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kytheatrechic Walk-On Joined: 3/22/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Topic: Job Descriptions for ADs & St Mgrs Posted: 4/01/08 at 3:47pm
	Am curious how some of you define jobs for your stage managers and assistant directors. I work in a relatively established community theatre organization, but all of our support staff are volunteers. Some have semi-pro backgrounds and some are fresh with no prior knowledge. How do you use your assistant directors and stage managers?
	All the world's a stage, some of us just have better seats.

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Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 4/01/08 at 11:22pm
	Whereas a Stage Manager is a complete necessity for ANY production, having an AD is something of a luxury. It is usually reserved for those times when the director has over-booked themselves and cannot attend all rehearsals, or where a very large cast is involved and the director needs someone to help coordinate or work scenes elsewhere. These scenes are then presented to the Director who will often "tweak" the work to make it fit their overall vision for the piece. Sometimes the AD is a separate set of eyes for the Director, adding their opinion or input as to the blocking, staging or stage business -- maybe even catching something that the Director has missed. In the meantime, the Stage Manager is the one who takes down all notes for blocking, lighting, sound, etc. They are the ones to call the cues for the show while it's running, and they take over after opening night to make certain the show maintains the director's vision for the complete run. Both the AD and SM answer to the Director, whose word and opinion are final. Sometimes the SM acts as liaison between Director and AD if the two must work separately. And let's not forget the vital position of ASM (Assistant Stage Manager) who is often responsible for the running the show backstage, making sure actors are in place for entrances, wrangling children, coordinating special effects (if any) and props are returned to their proper place, etc. etc.
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
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bbpchick Star Joined: 7/17/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 86	Posted: 4/02/08 at 1:54pm
	In my theater, it's pretty much as Topper said. However, we have a little twist. Since we are VERY short of directors, and we have had some bad experiences with first time directors, we now require that anyone wishing to direct, has to serve as either assistant director & or SM before they direct. Then the director they worked with serves as their assistant director. This ensures that everything gets covered and that the brand new director is kept on track and has someone experienced to help them if something goes wrong, or needs help in some way. We are usually short on crew at the moment, (everyone wants to be on stage!) but, this at least guarentees that we have our director, assistant director & stage manager. This is our first year doing this, but I'm really optimistic about how it will work out. Ok sorry got off track a little there... drags thread back on to rails So Anyways, before this year, we usually just ended up with a Stage Manager, and basically they do what Topper said, but are in charge backstage.
	Kendra www.murphysblackbartplayers.com You are NEVER too old to dress up!
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gaftpres Star Joined: 11/14/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 80	Posted: 4/02/08 at 11:22pm
	In our CT, AD and SM has the same duties as everyone else. At the end of the day if the trash needs taken out someone has to do it regardless of your "title". To put it better: "You know your in community theatre, if you are a lead onstage and taking out the trash after the show." Kendra- we require all first time directors to AD as your theatre does and to have an experienced director AD for their first show too. It can be overwhelming to a first timer the work it entails to direct a show. Love this forum, it validates a lot of what our CT procedures are with other CT's.
	Old volunteers never die, they just get recycled!
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kytheatrechic Walk-On Joined: 3/22/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 4/06/08 at 9:49am
	Thanks, everyone. Good to know we're all in it together. I have been toying with an Asst St Manager for our big summer show and this discussion has validated that decision I think. You know, in our CT (and I'm sure we're not the only one out there), many high school grads or seniors cut their teeth on stage crew and assistant-type positions. My SM for this summer is a high school senior (which is fine, but still makes me a little nervous given that a bulk of the cast will be adults hence being bossed around by a 17 yr old backstage). I think an ASM will help alleviate some pressure. Also validated is my use of an AD...thanks again for your input.
	All the world's a stage, some of us just have better seats.
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kytheatrechic Walk-On Joined: 3/22/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 4/06/08 at 9:50am
	Clarification....I have been toying with the idea of an Asst St Manager for this summer...not actually toying with one. I'm pretty sure that's illegal. :)
	All the world's a stage, some of us just have better seats.
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Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 4/07/08 at 3:11am
	This may help or not? 'Theatre Structure';- Producer: Leaps Tall Buildings In A Single Bound Is More Powerful Than A Locomotive Is Faster Than A Speeding Bullet Walks On Water Gives Policy To God Director: Leaps Short Buildings In A Single Bound Is More Powerful Than A Switch Engine Is Just As Fast As A Speeding Bullet Walks On Water If The Sea Is Calm Talks With God Playwright: Leaps Short Buildings With A Running Start Is Almost As Powerful As A Switch Engine Is Faster Than A Speeding BB Swims Well Is Occasionally Addressed By God Actor: Makes High Marks On The Wall When Trying To Leap Buildings Is Run Over By Locomotives Can Sometimes Handle A Gun Without Inflicting Self-Injury Dog Paddles Talks To Animals Technicians: Runs Into Buildings Recognizes Locomotives Two Out Of Three Times Is Not Issued Ammunition Can Stay Afloat With A Life Preserver Talks To Walls Chorus: Falls Over Doorsteps When Trying To Enter Buildings Says, "Look At The Choo-Choo!" Wets Self With A Water Pistol Plays In Mud Puddles Mumbles To Self Stage Manager: Lifts Buildings And Walks Under Them Kicks Locomotives Off The Track Catches Speeding Bullets In Teeth And Eats Them Freezes Water With A Single Glance Is GOD !!! It's an old one but itstill is rather apt!
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
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spikesgirl Celebrity Joined: 3/30/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 129	Posted: 4/08/08 at 6:43pm
	Joe - as a SM, I, of course, agree whole-heartedly with your post. I am doing my first gig as an AD and it's a whole new ballgame. I've never had to worry about casting and that part of it - just getting the blocking written down or having the actor run their lines. It's a little intimiadating, but even a God has to try something new once in a while! Topper - I do appreciate your thread though, it did help me clarify a couple of things in my head. Charlie Charlie
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chel Celebrity Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 8/17/08 at 6:57pm
	One of our board members is drawing up a "Bible (according to the WTG)" on job descriptions. We've had some confusion, stress and bruised egos recently that have necessitated it. i.e. Our director had no working relationship what so ever with our stage manager. Blocking was completely changed due to set changes, the SM had minimal blocking notes and ended up spending most of the time prompting lines. The ASM did not guide or help even though they knew the cast better and had experience working with them. The director did not notify the stage manager when she approved an actor to miss cast call on performing nights (actor didn't arrive until 15 minutes before curtain). The cast got upset when she gave acting notes and not just line notes. (I mean excessively stressed and no one told her she wasn't supposed to do that.) And this is just the tip of the iceberg. So specific job breakdowns is greatly appreciated. She is now my stage manager and I'm happy to work with her. We communicate well, and I think that will make it a marked improvement. Live and learn.
	chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org
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Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Topic: Job Descriptions for ADs & St Mgrs( Topic Closed)