Wise words of a Stage Manager
The following is a direct copy of the wise words handed down through the stage managers of the LUT. If you have any experiences that should be added mail them to me.
"This collection of ideas, thoughts and knowledge is to be added to and passed on from one stage manager to another, so the years of experience don't go to waste."
Remember at all times the stage is your domain, you are in charge!
Guard your keys with your ife, let no mere actor "borrow" them, for actors are not to be trusted.
Aquire copies of "Blues Brothers" and "rocky Horro" and play them every time you are working in the theatre.
Aquaint yourself with the workings of the theatre, where all light switches, plug sockets, rope pulleys etc. are.
The next best place after the theatre is the hardware store. Hours of happy wanderings are to be had in those sacred aisles, your "spend and save" card a loyal ally by your side.
It is the responsibility of the stage manager to ensure the safety of the theatre against fire. Each side of the stage must have a fire extinguisher and sand bucket.
It seems to me that every theatre is haunted, or posessed by some kind of spirit, these spirits will insist on hiding whatever tool you happen to need at any particular moment. The only other explenation for the dissapearence of tools is that actors borrow them without mentioning it, and then get all annoyed when the set falls down. Typical!!!
Sharon CloughStage Manager 1999 - 2000