Examples of recent department show prompt books are available from the. Popular stage management books goodreads share book. How to make a prompt book resources for stage managers. Inspiring first aid manual printable printable images. Accept responsibility keep their cool keep their eyes and ears open and know when to share their opinions. Personal props are items actors carry inside their costumes or wear, like pocket watches, keychains, pens, glasses, etc.
The prompt book or show bible is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. Each stage managers method of blocking notation will be different. Unfortunatly, there is no accepted format for the distribution of scripts electronically, which basically means that there is no dedicated stage management tool. Sep 01, 2015 how to write down blocking nicole harrell. So im stage managing a simple school show and i talked it over with the stage management teacher and i got her go ahead to try an electronic prompt book. The needs of a sm also vary between shows, which means that 910 stage managers that choose to use computerised scripts, also end up using a run of the mill word processor like msword. Prompt book basics prompt books come in all shapes and sizes, designed for slightly different purposes or for use by people in different roles within the theatre. Stage management handbook v4 west virginia university. The stage managers toolkit provides a comprehensive account of the role of the stage manager for live theatre with a focus on both written and verbal communication best practices.
Below are some paperwork templates that i have created, all are designed to be customizable. The member of stage management often the dsm cueing the show is said to be. He or she must have a working knowledge of how the various technical aspects of the theater work scenery, props, costumes, lights and sound, be part director, part playwright, part designer and part producer, and be prepared to act as confidant, counselor and confessor to everyone else in the company. Examples of recent department show prompt books are available from the chairs office. A prompt book documents everything about the production and could be used as a blueprint to remount the production if a company desires. This program helps students understand just what it is a stage manager does, from preshow conferences to closing night. The prompt book also contains contact information, lists of props, rehearsal notes, everything. Whats in a stage managers prompt book aka sms bible duration. Prompt book definition of prompt book by the free dictionary.
Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. These two positions involve support for both the director and the producers. Stage managing cocurricular theater at mit a stage management manual by teresa hernandez spring 2001 revised 0106 0. May 04, 20 student directors need to document their process, including showing clearly the reasons for the directorial choices they have made.
For a refresher on the characteristics of a good stage manager, take a look at the book stage management by lawrence stern. Following in this manual are procedures and methods, which have evolved over the years. Stage manager scripts are authorized, productionfriendly, legal copies of a shows libretto that you can personalize for your production. Its sometimes known as the book, prompt copy or prompt script. The book outlines the duties of the stage manager and assistant stage manager throughout a production, discussing not only what to do but why. The stage manager book is perhaps the most important thing to a. I played arround with using pdf files and text edits, it works okay if you have a pc with a touch screen. If you would like to propose a revision to this handbook, please email the production manager. Stage management handbook wvu theatre west virginia. How to prepare a stage managers prompt book kayla e decoration how to prepare a stage managers prompt book one of the stage managers most important tasks is to create and maintain the prompt book sometimes known as the show bible which is a master copy of the script and contains everything pertaining to the show. All samples from reference books, other students, or the internet must be labeled with the source of the document. In rehearsals the stage manager also records all blocking, plus all the light, sound and set change cues, in a master copy of the script called the prompt book. Script stage managers prompt book, undated new york public library digital collections. Prompt books come in all shapes and sizes, designed for slightly different purposes or for use by people in different roles within the theatre.
The stage keeper was responsible for the maintenance of the theater, taking props on and off stage, and security of performance space. Along with the materials outlined below, it would also include. Stage managers sm make notes of all changes in the prompt book script, so check your list with theirs. Del hughes 19091985 was an american theater performer, stage manager, and television director. But essentially they all have one function in common. As actors are struggling to get off book, you or your asm will have to be on book, available to prompt them. Jan 01, 2000 in every theatrical production, a single indispensable person is responsible for ensuring that scenery, lighting, actors, directors, sound artists are in sync.
All paperwork concerning the production should be kept here. Oregon straw hat players the prompt book the prompt book is the. Regular dialogue related to expectations and sharing of responsibilities need to be ongoing from day one in order to build a teamwork environment. In the event that the original stage manager could not run the show, a new one could use the prompt book to continue the show. You can write in pen, ink or highlighter and not have to worry about erasing the books before returning them to mti. It contains the script with all the blocking and cues. Looking at an example is extremely helpful before getting started.
Outline the change you purpose and the reason for this proposal. The stage manager and the technical director also work out a smooth and. Script stage managers prompt book, undated nypl digital. The stage managers toolkit templates and communication. In your own words, on a single typewritten page for each document, decribe the features of each document and how it might be better organized, more functional, or better formatted than other examples.
Promptbook definition of promptbook by merriamwebster. Once a show goes up, i keep my prompt book at the theatre. The prompt book holds all the information about the performance. These prompt books hold all of the paperwork and show information a stage manager would need to run a show. If youre making fake white wine for stage use, dont use grape juice if the wine is sitting in a bottle undrunk for a few days. Student directors need to document their process, including showing clearly the reasons for the directorial choices they have made. Jan 22, 2020 explore bobgandrups board stage manager prompt books, followed by. Stage management offers readers a practical manual on how to stage manage in all theatre environments.
A production can be recreated from the information in the prompt. Im an old stage manager who hasnt stage managed in years did the producing thing for years, but now im back to calling a show. Prompt book synonyms, prompt book pronunciation, prompt book translation, english dictionary definition of prompt book. Stage management technical theater training program. Resources for stage managers set design theatre, stage design, stage. Think of the production book as a journal and the prompt book more like a road map. In modern theatrical productions, the prompt book is generally maintained and kept by the stage manager, with differences in the specific construction and organization to suit the style of the stage manager keeping the book, and the type of production legitimate theatre, musical theatre, dance, opera, etc. The stage manager is the renaissance man of the theater.
Whats in a stage manager s prompt book aka sms bible duration. The stage manager speaks for the director of the production and frequently speaks as a representative of the organization itself. Feb 29, 2012 not just to remind you, but in case something happens, someone else will be able to read and understand your blocking notations. The stage manager keeps the book and uses it to call the show. Documents should be placed in sections in a threering binder in the following order. The general manager and active production chair will enter all approved changes. Before the rehearsals even begin, the production stage manager will ideally be on board and. The first part of the program deals with rehearsal skills like taping the stage, making prompt books, using blocking and cueing shorthand and other organizational tricks of the trade. While all prompt books will contain some of the same basic information script, cast list.
Created by the stage manager over the entire course of the production from prep to closing, it is the property of the production company. Personally i think this book helped me the most when i was dsm for one of the productions at college it helped me as i wasnt totally confindent with being a dsm and being. However, some directors may choose to appoint an assistant director andor a production stage manager and assistant stage manager. I was wondering what the easiest way to insert cues into the document would be. His eight points explain perfectly what makes a good stage manager the best. The official production book prepare the production book so that it is an accurate record of the production.
For more information, please see the following books. Keep lists of all properties, costumes, light cues and sound effects as they. In addition to the familiar markedup typescript, filed in crisply divided sections are performance reports mainly. This manual outlines the duties and responsibilities of the stage manager for winthrop theatre productions. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to coordinate with the onstage action. Hint save documents that are to be distributed as pdfs. Prompt book layout, including cueing notation preshow check list. For the purposes of this manual, all the stage management duties are described as one persons job. Promptbook definition is a copy of a play with directions for performance used by a theater prompter. Most stage managers keep their prompt books as a permanent reference a production bible, if. Revered as the authoritative resource for stage management, this text is rich with practical resources, including checklists, diagrams, examples, forms and stepbystep directions. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the.
The prompt book the prompt book is a working document that organizes lists, schedules, notes, reports, script, etc. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score containing all the actor. They are kept with their costumes in the dressing room and are the actors responsibility as well. It must be prepared in advance of the first rehearsal, so the stage manager is ready to go right away. Generally a lead stage manager will keep the master book, which is then copied. Report any subsequent departure from the prompt book to the director. In the elizabethan and jacobean theatre there were two roles that covered the stage management. The stage manager must assume this responsibility with humility and finesse.
The key stage management positions are stage manager sm and assistant stage manager asm. Essentials of stage management by peter maccoy, the stage management handbook by daniel a. Sm log book a place to write down notes throughout the production process. Prompt book layout, including cueing notation preshow check list performance report 4. The information in the prompt book also allows the stage manager to run the technical rehearsals, calling each technical cue in turn to determine precisely how it needs to be timed to. Billy rose theatre division, the new york public library. The del hughes prompt books date from 1943 to 1968 and represent twentyfour broadway productions shown at various new york city theaters. The book started as a project of the stage management course taught by. One archives the story of how you got there, and the other ensures you take the same path and arrive at.
Posts about prompt book written by awesomestagemanager. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal process and coordinating communications among various production teams and personnel. How to make a prompt book stage manager, theatre stage. A copy of the script all blocking written into the script any research materials reactions to each rehearsal, including what the director has. Posts about prompt book written by awesomestagemanager drama theatre, theatre stage. The prompt book, also called transcript, the bible or sometimes simply the book, is the copy of. The stage manager is the first line of communication and serves as the hub that holds the. Follow these steps and your stage manager will be ready to go in no time.
It tells you about all the stages in the production process and how each memeber of the stage manangement team like the assistant stage manager and the deputy stage manager. With this question at the heart of all your actions as a stage manager, you will not. In modern theatrical productions, the prompt book is generally maintained and kept by the stage manager, with differences in the specific construction and organization to suit the style of the stage manager keeping the book, and the type of production legitimate theatre. The prompt book should contain all blocking notation in addition to cue and warn marks. The prompt book is the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues, and is used by the deputy stage manager to run rehearsals and later, control the performance. Stage props list, example of props list free download. Usually you can get a copy from the director or from the stage management advisor. There is a lot to be said for the old way of making a prompt book. I like my paper prompt books because they end up exactly how i want them. Nov 25, 2016 the stage managers toolkit provides a comprehensive account of the role of the stage manager for live theatre with a focus on both written and verbal communication best practices.
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