Arguably the most important member of the technical staff - especially during any live performance - the Stage Manager is, on occasion, missed from the list of staff necessary for the running of a show.

Far from being 'just the guy who pulls the house curtains' the Stage manager is responsible for the overall safety of the cast and crew, as well as, well, managing the team as a whole. he/She may also be the one to set up the rest of the technical team, calling on those that he/she has worked with in the past.

The SM would be the logical interface with the NAC tech staff, in the event that key roles can not be filled from within their contemporaries.
 

The main role of the SM can be defined as follows:

• Safety - ensures that the performance space is clean/tidy and safe to work/perform on.

• Team Leader - if stage crew are involved, he/she will manage them with regard to any scenery shifting during the performances. Often the SM will engage the crew from his/her regular contacts.

• Pyrotechnics - it is usually the SM's job to safely set up and operate any pyrotechnic effects for a show, though this can be delegated to another experienced member of the team as required. Note that pyro is a restricted effect, and one that will NOT be permitted unless the stage director has been satisfied that the designated operator is suitably experienced and the charges used are within the safety margins for the venue.

• Often, though not always, the SM will indeed be responsible for opening/closing the tabs (stage curtains)!

• The SM should be responsible, (in conjunction with the other heads of departments and the director/producers of the show) for the preparation of a full Risk Assessment (RA) of eachj individual event. Copies of the standard RA form can be obtained from the Tech Director of the Abbey, and also on-line from this web site.

• Stage Managers should be fully conversant with the fire safety and first aid policies of the theatre, and ensure he/she knows who the nominated first aiders are on the NAC staff and the show staff.

Whilst not essential, it is recommended that all technical crew who may at any time work events/shows involving children be registered with WCC as an official chaperone under the CPS guidance. This will not mean that crew would be expected to carry out chaperone duties during a performance, BUT would allow them to take over temporary responsibility for minors during times where it is inadvisable or impractical for chaperones to accompany children on to stage.

The Stage Manager will need full details of the intended stage layout as soon as possible.

• Will there be any scenery? Will it need building?

• Will there be any backcloths? Will these need painting?

• A full set of proposed stage plans if appropriate.

• What properties need gathering/making?

• Will there be a need to utilise any in-house staging/cloths/equipment?

• Is there a need for additional tabs (curtains)?

• Are there to be any pyrotechnic effects in the show?

From the answers to these questions, the SM will be able to gauge whether a crew is needed, and if a separate props person will be required.