Here's how you can juggle multiple projects and deadlines in Theatrical Production.

This is one of the biggest things I have learned. As a Stage Manager - I had a very clear view of the entire scope of the production. I understood the director's vision and how we could achieve it. With so many voices in the room, it was crucial to understand our priorities. On bigger shows, it was easy to explain these priorities to the rest of the team, because the stage managers were looking at the whole picture.

Purely from an acting point of view, you generally need to prioritize the thing you're doing next; or currently on. If you have two plays upcoming (if possible) don't try and learn the second until you've opened the first (and have several nights under your belt). Film is different, priority is normally feature, then short. The feature has a wider scope (often is paying much more, so you should dedicate the time to nail every aspect).

1. Learn your lines as fast as you can! It's the most challenging but it will give you the confidence to know you're on top. Do it in frequent short bursts. You can't do the performance if you don't know your lines. It's terrifying to imagine drying on stage. 2. Contact Vicki of London Voice Coaching and book some training with her. She will help you prepare in every aspect. Working on your voice, character, movement and motivation. 3. Practise your lines with movement, whether the director has blocked it or not (blocked meaning stage directions, i.e. how/where to move). So you can bring your ideas of into rehearsals and be more fluid. Break a leg!

Before theatre, I flew by the seat of my pants. I was trying to be "chill," but I learned that the real way to do that was by being prepared. We made sure that we were covered no matter what happened during the run. People had understudy tracks, we kept time set aside for emergency put-in rehearsals, etc. Regular rehearsals can be planned, but if things change (which they will), we understand the priorities and can shift things around easily.

One time I was assistant directing on a professional MT production in China and was able to shadow the Stage Manager. This experience, specifically working in an environment less structured/regulated that here in the US, reminded me of the importance of daily check-ins with the creative team. We had a detailed, well-thoughtout plan for the entire production from auditions to previews and a local tour; however, several minor details were brought to light during evening meetings with the creative team. Ultimately, I feel this comes down to thorough communication, even if it feel like overkill (especially when working cross-culturally with language barriers). I learned tons shadowing this master of multi-tasking stage manager!

I used to be afraid of talking. I thought that people would judge me for what I was saying. In this profession, I learned that if you have information that others need, say it. They just want the information. They're not going to waste time thinking about the way that you said it. This doesn't mean speak however you want, it just means that you have important things to say. If you don't communicate well, things go wrong. A well-informed team is a well-prepared team. The more clearly you can speak, the more you can help others succeed.

Communication is key; and actually the trick to be effective is LESS is more. If you chuck pages of stuff at people they won't read it. If you have seven different email threads, it becomes harder to find information. Clear, concise and SIMPLE. Key dates, location, time to arrive, time to end, and is there food. Don't overload any message with more than three questions, as stuff will get missed. And don't put a bunch of erroneous details. Trust they are adults, and experienced professionals and will ask if they need more info. Simple is easiest.

One major thing to remember is not everyone receives information in the same way. There are many awesome cast and creatives who have a level of autism, the very thing that makes them so good. Language used has to be accessible to all.

Theatres, especially governmental ones, usually lack of staff. Bringing young and enthusiastic volunteers can help enormously not only to handle the uncountable amount of small tasks, but it will allow you to dedicate your precious time on the heavy tasks. It will finally improve the experience for all staff and spectators.

This is directly related to communicating clearly. If you can do that, you will gain your crew's trust. If they're empowered, they will do well. They won't be afraid to ask questions and make sure they get it right, which in turn will help them earn your trust. You'll have a tight ship if you are not the only crew member doing the work and if everyone is on the same page.

Rare are the times that a guest production goes on stage exactly the same way it does at its original venue. One of the most exciting parts of an international guest production is the technical adaptation part, which is also the most important one. The creativity and professionalism of your team together with your production skills will generate a great solution.

Things will go wrong way more than they will go right. Embrace this. They always seem to make their way back to that balanced state. If you can remain calm and creative in times of stress, you will help everyone succeed and feel like a superhero. Obstacles are just opportunities for growth and seeing things from a new perspective.

A shared dinner time is a nice way to calm down and bond before the show, especially for technical and production teams. And don’t forget to take a day off after a big production!

THIS! Please, please remember this is the best job in the world; but it is just a job. It's not life and death, it's not (ultimately) going to change the world. And in your world nothing is more important than YOU. You gotta put the oxygen mask on yourself before you helps others; so keeping you at tip-top mental happiness is very important. Everything can wait one more day, everything can be negotiated for one more day. So if you need to just STOP for one day and take care of you, do it. Period.