What do you think?
Rate this book
Stage Management: The Essential Handbook
The highly successful "Bible for any stage manager", now in a revised and updated edition.
The stage manager is at the core of every successful theatre production. He or she organises, manages and runs rehearsals and performances; researches and procures the props and furniture; and provides a creative information flow between the production and design departments.
This handbook is aimed at students, graduates and all those who aspire to stage management, whether amateur or professional, on a large or small scale. Complete with illustrations, diagrams and helpful checklists, it takes the reader through a typical production, week by week.
Other useful topics covered
- Team dynamics and job roles- Theatre unions- Health and Safety legislation- The job market- Information and communication technology- Production templates- Management techniques and interpersonal skills
As well as updated information and resources throughout, this new ebook edition is accompanied by a companion website where the materials found in the print edition are available for free download, as well as a detailed resources section full of links to useful websites and tutorials, essential for any stage manager.
'Classic... one of the easiest to read text books on stage management - and well worth getting at any stage of your career' The Stage
'highly recommended for the newcomer, the aspiring stage manager, the student, and for those of us who'd just like to confirm that what we've been doing for years is actually what we're supposed to be doing' Sightline, Journal of Theatre Technology and Design
'A comprehensive guide for the aspiring stage manager' Alan Ayckbourn
'A very useful, practical how-to book aimed at students and practitioners, both professional and amateur' Susan Elkin, Teaching Drama
The stage manager is at the core of every successful theatre production. He or she organises, manages and runs rehearsals and performances; researches and procures the props and furniture; and provides a creative information flow between the production and design departments.
This handbook is aimed at students, graduates and all those who aspire to stage management, whether amateur or professional, on a large or small scale. Complete with illustrations, diagrams and helpful checklists, it takes the reader through a typical production, week by week.
Other useful topics covered
- Team dynamics and job roles- Theatre unions- Health and Safety legislation- The job market- Information and communication technology- Production templates- Management techniques and interpersonal skills
As well as updated information and resources throughout, this new ebook edition is accompanied by a companion website where the materials found in the print edition are available for free download, as well as a detailed resources section full of links to useful websites and tutorials, essential for any stage manager.
'Classic... one of the easiest to read text books on stage management - and well worth getting at any stage of your career' The Stage
'highly recommended for the newcomer, the aspiring stage manager, the student, and for those of us who'd just like to confirm that what we've been doing for years is actually what we're supposed to be doing' Sightline, Journal of Theatre Technology and Design
'A comprehensive guide for the aspiring stage manager' Alan Ayckbourn
'A very useful, practical how-to book aimed at students and practitioners, both professional and amateur' Susan Elkin, Teaching Drama
- GenresNonfictionTheatre
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
5 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 7, 2021
This is one of those books that I am constantly coming back to in my career and my studies. This is one of my favourite Stage Management resources and it is perfect for any beginner who doesn’t know what Stage Management is, or if they need a quick refresher on props lists, budget sheets, etc. This is a fantastic resource that I will continue to use in my professional and academic work.
May 22, 2015
I liked it, it was a good introduction to what it means to be a stage manager. I just wished that it would have contained more about working in musical theatre.
March 25, 2021
really helped with understanding the specifics of roles having only worked on small projects, good reference materials in regards to unions and templates etc straightforward to understand and really confirmed this is what i want to do :)
April 17, 2020
Just okay
British focused. I was looking for more of a production management book. All in all, not a bad read. No need to read twice.
British focused. I was looking for more of a production management book. All in all, not a bad read. No need to read twice.
July 9, 2016
A well written, engaging, and brief introduction to stage management. Having read several similar American books, the only thing I gained specifically was a clear explanation of British job distinctions and some additional information on propping. The templates provided were also excellent.
While I appreciated the chapters included on management technique and self-care, I thought they were unnecessarily simple and obvious, and wanted more detail.
While I appreciated the chapters included on management technique and self-care, I thought they were unnecessarily simple and obvious, and wanted more detail.
February 27, 2012
Great stage management text book - my heavily annotated copy of this book got me through uni!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews