About Wandering Around in the Dark
Content: This collection is a reflection of different types of materials that encompass a stage manager’s life. In this particular exhibit, there are many documents that showcase what a stage manager does. I chose to look at examples primarily from 20th-century American theater that was focused mostly on New York professional theater. There are examples here and there from non-professional theater institutions, but these institutions such as Juilliard are still highly regarded institutions within the theatrical community. The role of the stage manager is one that has evolved immensely over time. It took a long time for the role of the stage manager to become a legitimate role in the professional theater world. In the early 20th century, stage managers were often roles that were filled by actors who were not cast in a particular show. Over time, it was recognized by the theater community that stage managing requires skills and training in order to be considered good at their job. Stage managers eventually became part of the professional actor union, Actor's Equity or AEA, and currently play a huge role in the professional theater community. In the United States, this ranges from working on Broadway to Off-Broadway to tours to regional theater and beyond.
Scope: This collection contains mostly paper documents. There are examples of prompt books from different stage managers. A prompt book is the stage manager's copy of the script where all notes pertaining to a production are kept. This includes all technical cues (lighting cues, sound cues, projection cues, etc.) and all movement or blocking of the actors. The other items in the exhibition include a photograph, illustration renderings, and a theatrical program.
Context: In the professional world of theater, there are many different people who come together to make a production possible. There are obvious participants who we see onstage, such as the actors, musicians, and dancers. However, there are so many other people who are never seen who also make the production possible. Those people include the director, designers, backstage run crew, production management, and most importantly, the stage manager. In the theater world, the role of the stage manager is at the center of any production. The stage manager is often nicknamed the “ninja” of any production because what they do is often unseen and fast. Stage managers keep track of all the elements of any production. This includes but is not limited to: taking notes, writing rehearsal and performance reports, sending out daily schedules, calling technical cues (such as lighting, sound, and projection cues), and running the entire backstage flow of people and things. Stage managers have to manage large groups of people including actors, directors, designers, and all other people involved in the production. They also have to manage their own team of stage managers, which usually includes at least one assistant stage manager and at least one production assistant. In many cases, they're managing a team of up to five, six, or seven people.