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Question: What qualities does one need to be a good stage manager!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
A good stage manager should be organized and ready for anything at all times!. They should also be able to walk a fine line of communication/friendship/trust with the director, artistic team, and the actors!. The SM is the immediate contact for the cast with any safety or scheduling concerns!. This means the SM must always have the needs and safety of the cast at the forefront of their minds!.
They must also be attentive listeners and diligent note takers, as they are usually responsible for recording all blocking and prop placement within a show!. Good SMs can also demand attention, without being overbearing and are able to keep rehearsals from turning to chaos!. One must also understand the responsibility and undertaking they are getting themselves involved in!.
Everything that goes wrong in a production will be blamed on the SM!.


If you're looking for a text to help out along the way, check out Lawrence Stern's book "Stage Management," which I believe is in its 8th Edition!. This is the text used at my University, thought nothing can be a substitute for experience!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Ability to listen, multi task, have good sense of humour, good communicator, dependable, good time keeper, discrete, good at finding solutions for problems, ability to work with all kinds of people!. It can be a really fun job and very rewarding!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Relaxed
organized
trustworthy
hard worker
pleasant to work with
and the most important thing: desire to be a stage manager!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

~multi task
~stay organized
~keep control
~focus
~composure
~keep yourself and the cast quiet
~leadership
~ablity to do things fastWww@QuestionHome@Com

Mostly, dependable, indefatigable, excellent at working with people!. find a book on Stage Management at Amazon!. com and read it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

All good answers! I would add, a huge stock of patience and an endless supply of tact!. Check out Thomas Kelly's book "The Backstage Guide to Stage Management!."Www@QuestionHome@Com

Very detail oriented and a superb multi-tasker!.Www@QuestionHome@Com