I am teaching Stage Management: An Introduction at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia. The class meets on Monday evenings, September 17 through October 22, 2012, from 7-10pm. We’ll be working through the script for The Importance of Being Earnest and will visit a local production backstage during Tech Week. If you are thinking …
Author Archives: Michael Clark
Stage Management books
I recently helped out two different people who are stage managing their first shows. These are the books I’ve read, and can recommend. If you’re just starting out, start with the less expensive ones, and work your way up as you get more experience. The Back Stage Guide to Stage Management, by Thomas A. Kelly. …
Arcadia: Lines That Sound Dirty But Aren’t
As a stress reliever during rehearsals for Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia that I stage managed last year, I came up with this list of lines that sound dirty, but aren’t. Hodge, what is this? (page 11) Now at last, it is your turn. (page 11) In my what? (page 59) Lend me a finger. (page 76) …
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Backstage at the Nutcracker
Here’s an interesting article about a backstage cat herder for the Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker. This is a part of stage management I’ve never worked. Her job has been compared to herding cats, but for Donna Glover, it’s the mice that are tougher. They’re rambunctious. They step on one another’s tails. They’re at the point in …
Life Behind the Curtain
“Life Behind the Curtain” is a short documentary film about Broadway child performers and their relationship with Stage Managers and experiences backstage. The film was created for a Stage Management class at Susquehanna University, by freshman Laura Luc. Cinematography is by NYU film student, Louis DeCaprio. Featured Kids: Marissa O’Donnell, Matthew Gumley, Dylan Riley Snyder, …
BBC News: “Unsung Hero: The stage manager”
Here’s a very brief look at the work of Graham Harrison, the stage manager for the musical Joseph in London’s West End.
Learning ASL Fingerspelling
I’ve finished reading The Miracle Worker, the show I’ll be stage managing for Fauquier Community Theatre (auditions in October 2009, show opens in mid-January 2010). Annie Sullivan spends a lot of time teaching Helen, and Helen’s mother, words using the letters of American Sign Language. So now I’m starting to teach myself ASL fingerspelling. My …
Light Board Operator/Tech Crew for ACT’s Seascape
To fill out the rest of my summer, I’ll be running the light board and helping with miscellaneous duties on the crew for load-in for American Century Theater’s Seascape, running July 29th through August 22nd. I’m really looking forward to working with a new group, and doing new things. The amazing thing is the way …
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TD Shakespeare in Hollywood with NWTG
I was planning to stage manage a show in Manassas this summer. But the weekend before the first rehearsal, the show was cancelled due to financial concerns from the Board. So I scrambled, networked, and searched, and applied for a few positions. I am now the Tech Director for NoVa Woodbridge Theatre Group‘s July production …
The Miracle Worker for FCT
I will be stage managing The Miracle Worker for the Fauquier Community Theatre. Auditions will be in the fall, with the show running in January 2010. The director is Nancy Daughterty, who I worked with on Pippin for Prince William Little Theatre back in February 2009.