"Some people may be wondering, what IS a Production Stage Manager (and is this the same thing as a Stage Manager?!).
When I was in college, I asked a professor exactly what a stage manager did. His response was "Everything, now let me get back to work". That's pretty accurate. Stage Management is a specialized field that has evolved out of the need to have a person who is both a go between for the management and creative team of the show (Director, Designers, Producers etc) and the Actors to make sure that everyone shows up at the same time, on the same day, to rehearse the same pages from the script. This is often much more difficult than you might imagine. The Stage Manager is represented in a collective bargaining agreement by Actors' Equity Association, the largest performing arts union in the country which also represents all of the Cast of Charlie Brown so the "SM" is responsible for making sure all rehearsals are safe, run in a timely manner, and are in accordance with the Equity Rule Book (The LORT book that governs this show is 113 pages!). His most important job is scheduling. The Stage Manager makes many different forms, calendars, and "break downs" (Graphical representations of different elements in the show and when they happen such as props, costumes, and set
shifts) which all go into the prompt book. This book is so important we call it "The Bible." It contains all the information about the show as well as serves as a record of all the meetings, rehearsals, and performances since the show opened (Imagine what Phantom of the Opera's looks like! It's been open 23 years--with the same Production Stage Manager!). This prompt book is also what we use to "call" a show. Have you ever wondered how everyone knows when to do what light cue so it happens with the sound cue at the same time the set pieces are flying? That's the Production Stage Manager! Every light, every sound, every set move is done on his cue. It's the most exciting thing I've ever done--and it's an immensely satisfying experience to be sitting backstage 5 minutes to curtain on opening night ready to call the complex
opening, it happens and you pull it off flawlessly! That's what makes the long hours and stress all worth it!"
-Phillip Rudy, PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
