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Unit in Stagecraft Without a Theatre Curriculum

What is a Stage Manager? (Extra Lesson)

Created by Karen Loftus

We have included a stage management “extra” lesson in this curriculum as an introduction to the stage manager role. Stage management is certainly an important role when it comes to the technical elements of a theatre production.

If you want to include a more realized stage management unit, we have you covered. DTA has an extensive Stage Management Unit in the curriculum section of the DTA website (see link below).

Link to Stage Management Unit

Start here

To assume the role of a stage manager.

Standards Addressed

Grade 6 - Creating

TA6.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Identify artistic choices, utilize theatre vocabulary, and demonstrate non-verbal communication skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>b. Interpret a character’s motivation by understanding the relationship between their background and their behavior.<br/>c. Identify the variety of relationships between characters.<br/>d. Identify, define, and classify character traits.<br/>e. Recognize and demonstrate the roles, responsibilities, and skills associated with collaborative performance.<br/>f. Use resources to identify and create technical elements of theatre.

Grade 6 - Performing

TA6.PR.2 Execute artistic and technical elements of theatre.<br/>a. Incorporate technical elements in performance.

Grade 6 - Connecting

TA6.CN.1 Explore how theatre connects to life experience, careers, and other content.<br/>a. Identify similarities between theatre and other art forms.<br/>b. Draw conclusions about the relationships between theatre and life.<br/>c. Define tasks associated with a theatre production (e.g. director, stage manager, designer, technician, playwright, actor).

Grade 7 - Creating

TA7.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Identify and rehearse effective communication skills.<br/>b. Compare and contrast character types and relationships by analyzing character motivations, objectives, and goals.<br/>c. Compare the physical, emotional, vocal, and social dimensions of a character.<br/>d. Investigate the role and responsibility of the cast and crew.<br/>e. Identify and model ensemble skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>f. Utilize staging and blocking choices to enhance the performance.<br/>g. Compare, contrast, and design elements of technical theatre.<br/>h. Utilize theatre vocabulary throughout the rehearsal process.

Grade 7 - Performing

TA7.PR.2 Execute artistic and technical elements of theatre.<br/>a. Select a variety of technical elements that can be applied to a theatrical work.<br/>b. Incorporate artistic and technical elements into a theatre performance.

Grade 7 - Connecting

TA7.CN.1 Explore how theatre connects to life experience, careers, and other content.<br/>a. Compare and contrast theatre with other art forms.<br/>b. Articulate relationships between theatre and life.<br/>c. Utilize a multi-disciplinary approach to create original theatre.<br/>d. Describe the careers and professional responsibilities associated with theatre production (e.g. director, stage manager, designer, technician, playwright, actor).

Grade 8 - Creating

TA8.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Differentiate the physical, emotional, vocal, and social dimensions of a variety of characters.<br/>b. Compare the relationships and interactions between characters by analyzing character motivation (objectives, obstacles, strategy, action, stakes, outcome).<br/>c. Incorporate dramatic elements through improvisation.<br/>d. Connect theatre vocabulary to the application of theatre performance.<br/>e. Identify and demonstrate both ensemble and leadership skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>f. Evaluate the effectiveness of artistic and technical elements used in a theatre production.<br/>g. Design and create scenery, props, costumes, lighting, and sound.<br/>h. Assume different roles and responsibilities in the rehearsal process.

Grade 8 - Performing

TA8.PR.2 Execute artistic and technical elements of theatre.<br/>a. Incorporate artistic and technical elements into a theatre production.<br/>b. Resolve conflicts in technical applications.

Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Connecting

TAHSA.CN.1 Explore how theatre connects to life experience, careers, and other content.<br/>a. Examine multiple facets of the business of theatre.<br/>b. Examine the methods of pursuing various acting careers, including demonstrating audition etiquette and techniques.

Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Performing

TAHSAD.PR.1 Act and direct by communicating and sustaining roles within a variety of situations and environments.<br/>a. Examine and implement the skills and tasks associated with acting, incorporating voice, body, observation, and imagination to create characters for formal and informal performances.<br/>b. Implement the duties of the stage manager, including communication and safety procedures, that will assist the director in all areas of production.<br/>c. Develop a schedule and organizational plan to prepare a scene for performance, including a rehearsal schedule and a prompt script.<br/>d. Conduct rehearsals and present a full theatrical presentation to a live audience.

Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Connecting

TAHSAD.CN.1 Explore how theatre connects to life experience, careers, and other content.<br/>a. Explore the relationship between theatre and other non-arts disciplines to synthesize concepts and skills from other disciplines to create theatre.<br/>b. Explore careers through participation in various production roles and activities found in commercial, professional, amateur, and/or educational theatre.

Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Connecting

TAHSFT.CN.1 Explore how theatre connects to life experiences, careers, and other content.<br/>a. Examine how theatre reflects real life.<br/>b. Analyze how theatre employs aspects of other art forms and disciplines to effectively communicate with a live audience.<br/>c. Demonstrate awareness of the discipline, knowledge, skills, and education required for careers in theatre.<br/>d. Explore various careers in the theatre arts (e.g. performance, design, production, administrative, education, promotion).

Grades 9-12 - TECHNICAL THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating

TAHSTT.CR.1 Create technical elements of theatre (e.g. sets, props, costumes, makeup, lighting, sound).<br/>a. Explore and utilize the elements of design and principles of composition for a theatrical context.<br/>b. Create basic to advanced technical elements by choosing appropriate materials, tools, and techniques.<br/>c. Analyze and/or develop choices in technical elements (e.g. sets, lights, costumes, sound) of informal and formal productions and theatrical texts as a part of the design process, considering mood, tone, and symbolism.<br/>d. Create industry standard paperwork (e.g. budgets, cut lists, materials, cue sheets, lighting and costume plots, schedules, calendars) as it relates to completing design renderings and/or models.<br/>e. Conceptualize and/or generate design elements for a dramatic work (e.g. scene, one act, full-length, musical).

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