A Monster Calls
The Project
I was requested to be the stage manager for the performance of A Monster Calls. My main tasks were ensuring smooth scene transitions, ensuring all is in place before the show, running an attendance log, and assisting in a fire if needed.
My Approach
I began by simply watching the rehearsals and taking notes to gain an understanding of what needed to change each scene and who would be able to move pieces on stage.
Bumps in the road
We ran into a few challenges when we needed actors to assemble and disassemble the yew tree(pictured here). The actors would often run into issues with coordinating, end up getting distracted, or their blocking was changed. We worked around this by only assigning four to assemble the tree.
Finished Product
The set was incredibly abstract so it was heavily focused on the props. Additionally all actors remained on stage for the majority of the show, so all props had to be kept on stage in boxes that were used to partially construct the set and contained costume changes in them. The props also moved from box to box, so quite a bit of confusion could occur when grabbing the props. To fix this I crafted a list and layout of the boxes and their contents at the beginning of the show, and had each actor confirm with me beforehand that everything they would use was where it needed to be.
100
The Project
I was requested to assist with the props and quick changes for 100. My main tasks were constructing props, ensuring everything was in place before the show, and preparing and assisting actors with their quick changes.
My Approach
I began with reading the script and watching some rehearsals. We had a small cast that had to take on many roles, so quick changes were a must. They happened all through the show, and often in the span of 30-45 seconds. I was also tasked with crafting sheep for a dream sequence out of recycled parts in the building. To do this I used mops for the bodies and some tennis balls that were dyed black for the heads.
Bumps in the road
There were issues trying to ensure all the actors could perform the quick changes, a lot of them had never done them before and because of conflicting schedules there was little time to rehearse. The scheduling also meant that we could not rehearse in the theatre, and as that was where the props were stored we had little time to adapt.
Finished Product
Everything did function and I was ensuring the next prop needed was there for the actors, and helping them get out of jackets and shoes.