I was a stage manager-AMA

[Fiveminutecallplease]

Mostly in the West End but also a bit of regional theatre. Ask me anything.

What was your favourite show to work on?

Does anyone (apart from the very top people) actually make enough to live on in theatre? It always strikes me that you’ll be ripped off because so many people want to do the job.

That really depends on what you do as there are so many different jobs!

I was able to pay my rent, eat and socialise, so yes I could. Certainly not well paid though.

Did you ever get totally star struck?

What was your career path - how did you become a stage manager, and is it a career you would recommend?

Why did you give it up?

Like most places of work, it depends on the crew you are working with (I only ever worked in one utterly toxic theatre, everywhere else was lovely). The show really is secondary to your wiring experience. Probably lower than second place actually.

I loved working in regional theatre. Different shows...3 or 4 in a week to 4 week runs. That was probably my favourite.

I did one very famous show in London from pre-production to about a year in. I'm glad I did that, it's a very special memory. 15 years later I took my daughter to see it, which was lovely.

No 😀

Though there was a company manager who was HOT!

Any back stage scandals or gossip to share? 😁

Honestly? I was 15 years old and decided I wanted a job. So I knocked on stage doors on Shaftesbury Avenue and got hired as a fly man ( when large bits of scenery go up in the air, they are counterbalanced by weights on the fly floor, high up in the roof of the theatre. A fly man hauls on the line to get them up and down. I got amazingly toned arms song that).

I got offered plenty of work after that and never looked back. It really was a question of doing the job well and getting on with people. Like most jobs really.

Was the show Matilda -loved it. If you have worked with a company including children is it much more difficult than working with Adults only?

Would I recommend it? I'd really have to know the person asking!

I did it from the age of 15 to my 20s. I had an absolute whale of a time and made friends whom I'm still close to today. I also worked unbelievably unsociable hours, did physically VERY hard work and didn't earn loads. 100% not family friendly. Got injured a few times too.

I also learned to work effectively in a team under huge pressure and get along with people who are complete arses. Very transferable skills! No regrets at all.

No it wasn't, that was after my time.

I have workeds on shows with lots of children. They have a matron or chaperone (same thing but terminology varies) at all times.

I do know that they're is no way I would allow my child to participate.

I wanted a family and knew there was no way that was going to work.

Why wouldn’t you want your child to participate?

Hi OP, I’m currently waiting to hear if I’ve managed to get a stage management placement at a theatre I love.

could you tell me any tips to hit the ground running and impress if I do end up shadowing and working for a stage manager?

I want my children in school and fully focused on their education. Not spending 2-3 nights each week on stage and up late, nor concentrating on rehearsals and techs, not too mention the travelling to and from.

If my child wanted to act I would happily put them in Saturday groups. What I don't want them to do is paint themselves into a corner in terms of education.

That's exciting- best of luck! I'm going offline shortly but I will have a think and get back to you, it's a great question.

Are you studying stage management and is this placement part of your course? How long is the placement?

My advice would be, listen, watch, ask. Do the tasks you're given, even if they're boring or a bit crap. Depending on the situation, when you've finished a task, ask if there is another thing you can help with, don't just sit down and wait to be told. Always wear required ppe. Never leave your dirty mug in the green room sink.

Hi @ScullyD , I've had a think and here are some points you may wish to consider:

• know your way around a stage. By this I mean, upstage, stage right, cans, curtain, iron, apron, prompt side, tabs, strike, dead, bastard prompt, get-in etc
• theatre time runs five minutes ahead. So if the show starts at 1930, the half is at 1955.
• Spend time with the ASM and learn how props are managed.
• Do at least two shows on cans with the DSM watching them call it. It's an art!
• Not strictly stage management but see if you can, have a go at flying. This will help you understand how the DSM cues then in
• Never whistle onstage, it's bad luck! This does actually have a sensible background. Before cue lights were invented fly cues were signalled by stamps and whistles. So there was a real risk you could end up with a piece of scenery in your head! ( I did once work in a theatre where this was protocol when taking the iron out. Never saw it anywhere else though).
• If in doubt, grab a broom

Of I think of anything else I will post. Feel free to ask anything else but more importantly have fun!

*the half is 1855! Typo!

Is a stage manager like a 1st AD or PM on a film shoot? If you were working on a film would you be called a stage manager or something different?

Sorry if that seems a weird question. If you don't work in film you might not know.

Here's another one, What's the worst behaviour you've ever encountered from a performer or audience member?

Thank you x

I'm really sorry, I've never worked in films so don't know 😀.

This probably won't come as a surprise but Jim Davidson was the rudest man I've ever met. Arrogant despite the fact that nobody cared about him.

The really big names are often the politest ones, it's the artists that are insecure that are rude. Ute Lemper, Daryl Hannah etc were lovely.

Did you work on Chicago in the 90s? If so, lucky you! That original cast was fantastic! Ute Lemper thoroughly deserved that Olivier.

Yes I did! She was amazing, with legs that went on forever!

It was fun to work on but clearing up the sequiny confetti was an absolute bugger.