High School Stage Managing?

Question

I have an opportunity at my school to be a stage manager along with another individual (and a teacher would also help a bit). I've never really participated in theater, but i'd really like to try it (and I love the play they are going to show- the sound of music!).

The only concern is that I've heard to be manager you have to be bossy?

I like all of the other aspects of the job but I really don't think I could boss people around :D

What is your opinion on this and any tips/suggestions?

Answer 1

generally the stage manager should be a strong person that is able to tell others (your peers) what to do, and to move faster if they need to! You should be fine as long as you dont have a problem being a little bossy at times

Answer 2

A stage manager tells the actors things like "5 minutes to curtain", stuff like that.  You do have to run the show.  Telling people who run the lights their cues.  So, if you don't want to run the show, then, this may not be for you.

Rather, think of it as the person behind the scenes that is getting the job done.  Your the organizer, the back-stage director, if you will.

Good luck.

Answer 3

There is an enormous difference between being "bossy" and being In Charge.

Are you detail oriented? Do you like taking copious notes? Are you good with difficult people? Do you take pride in accomplishing a task? Do you relish teamwork? Can you co-ordinate many backstage tasks while remaining completely silent?

All teams need a Leader. Theatre is all about teamwork.

As both a performer and a crewmember, I WORSHIP a good Stage Manager. Is Stage Management to your taste? Who knows?

And neither will you unless you give it a shot.  

Answer 4

You don't necessarily need to be bossy, you just need to be firm and know your authority (but don't abuse it!). Your job will be to keep the actors informed about when their cues or entrances are coming up. You may also have a few other responsibilities to ensure that the production goes smoothly.

Being involved in a show can be really fun but also a little stressful. Be sure to always be kind and polite to everyone you work with, but dont let anyone ignore you or push you around. Take your responsibilites seriously. Any stressful situations you may encounter will be made up for with how proud you and the rest of the cast will be when you put on a great show! Good Luck :)

Answer 5

I did the Sound of Music last year! It's great you guys get to do it too!

I've never actually been a stage manager, but I'm an actor. The stage manager let's me know when the show is about to start. He/she (I've had more than one) also kept things quiet behind stage, and he did have to be firm, but not bossy. He also had our costumes out for us during our costume changes.

Don't be bossy. That's the last impression you want to give ANYONE, because their respect for you might drop to hardly anything. But stand tall, be firm, and especially know what you're doing! ^_^ Or else everyone will be confused about what to do. It's a big responsibility, but don't worry, even though I don't know you I'm sure you'll do fine! Good luck!

Answer 6

You don't have to be bossy - in fact, if you're doing the job properly you shouldn't have to be!  It's more about keeping things running as they should be, making sure the lighting and sound cues happen at the correct time, and generally keeping order backstage.  If the cast respect you (and you'll find that they respect you a lot more if you respect them!) then there shouldn't need to be any bossing around going on.  I work as a professional stage manager and while technically I am in charge of the cast once the show is up and running (the director is gone), it's very much a two-way thing; I'm there to help the actors as much as possible and generally there's no problems with having to be bossy!  Usually it works the other way - they'll come to you and ask for something rather than you having to tell them to do something.  Keeping high school students quiet backstage is probably going to be the hardest part of your job, but if you explain to them that it's a respect thing - they keep quiet out of respect to their fellow cast members who are on the stage, and then their fellow cast members will do the same for them - then you shouldn't have any problems.  Get that in their heads from day 1 and you'll be fine!  Break a leg!