Stage Manager
Although a somewhat fluid line of work, in essence the stage management team (which can consist of a production stage manager, several assistant stage managers, and any number of production assistants) is responsible for organizing the production, communicating across different disciplines (e.g., between the director and the backstage crew, or the actors and production management), and keeping everything running smoothly. This refers not only to seamless management of the technical aspects of a production, but of the human aspects as well.The responsibilities and duties of stage management vary depending on the setting of a production, i.e., rehearsals or performance, and the type of production being presented (theatre, dance, music). Most broadly, it is the stage manager's responsibility to ensure that the director's artistic choices are realized in actual performance. Typically in theatre, the stage manager acts as an adjunct to the director in rehearsal, recording the blocking and seeing that cast members stay on script, have necessary props, and follow the blocking. As the lighting, sound, and set change cues are developed, the stage manager meticulously records the timing of each as it relates to the script and other aspects of the performance. The stage manager also ascertains that the lighting and sound cues are taken at the right time. As an example, a typical lighting cue might be called as "LQ 38, stand by" (or "Stand by LQ 38"), with the light board operator replying, "standing" (in the UK, "standing by"), and in turn the stage manager's "LQ 38, go" ("LQ 38, go") setting everything in motion at the appropriate time. The stage manager also maintains a prompt book, sometimes called "the bible," which contains all cues, technical notes, blocking and other information pertinent to the show.
During rehearsals, stage managers are responsible for helping establish the show's rehearsal schedule and then ensuring that rehearsals run on time. Once the house opens, the stage manager essentially takes control, calling the cues for all transitions (this is known as "calling the show"), as well as acting as communications hub for the cast and crew. After a show opens, the stage manager is also responsible for calling brush-up, put in and understudy rehearsals to make sure that the show's quality is maintained. The stage manager is also responsible for seeing that the director's vision is carried out when he or she is no longer attending the shows and giving notes. In a large production, a team of stage managers will work each performance; one will be responsible for calling the show, and others will be backstage ensuring that actors and crew are ready to perform their duties.