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Last updated on 2024年8月7日

How can a stage manager work with front of house to ensure a great audience experience?

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As a stage manager, you are responsible for coordinating and overseeing all aspects of a theatrical production, from rehearsals to performances. One of your key roles is to ensure that the show runs smoothly and safely, and that the cast, crew, and creative team are well prepared and supported. But your job does not end at the stage door. You also need to work with the front of house staff, who are in charge of welcoming, seating, and serving the audience. How can you collaborate with them to create a great audience experience? Here are some tips and best practices to keep in mind.

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1 Communicate clearly and regularly

Communication is essential for any successful collaboration, especially in a fast-paced and dynamic environment like theatre. You should establish a clear and regular line of communication with the front of house manager, who is your main point of contact for all matters related to the audience. You should share important information such as the show schedule, the running time, the intermission length, the emergency procedures, the special effects, and any changes or issues that may affect the audience. You should also listen to their feedback and concerns, and address them promptly and respectfully. You should also communicate with the other front of house staff, such as the ushers, the box office, the bar, and the security, and make sure they are well informed and trained.

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Sandile Pooe

Technical Stage Manager, Sound Technician, Site Manager
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As a stage manager you need to read the script from the show caller and make your own cue sheet and collaborate it with the show director and plot accordingly what the show caller wants and what needs to be achieved ,then you need to share your cue sheet with F.o.h which microphones needs to be unmuted for sound at a specific time and which entrances are gonna be used , mark the stage for lighting engineer. You need to have a Clear communication with F.O.H and how you setup your backstage performance,presenters to be as close as possible to the stage. A stage manager is the engine of the show and the driver is the show caller/director. Any changes or delays on the show has to be communicated through a stage and front of house .

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Malesela Legodi

Operations Manager at PRG Middle East
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I agree with you there,it is very important to establish a clear communication line or protocol ,in this fast pace industry,a simple miscommunication can cost a lot of delays to the project and end up not reaching your targets.

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Leroya Sanford

Comedy Magician, Aquatic Director
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For a more detailed and explanation along with a few tips, please check out the full article that I posted on this topic on Linkedin

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Mduduzi K.

Studied at Tshwane University of Technology || Sound Technician || Lighting Technician || Stage Technician || Theatre Practitioner
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During a festival i was a part of, i was able to observe how crucial regular communicationis between the stage manager and FOH. The line of communication always needs to be there.

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William Perron
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It helps if you can read a few palms or mystify with a good magic trick. Walk softly and really carry a big stick in Hollywood these days. If ya have time a self defense class I might help heas well, California is going the way of Ancient Rome after they allowed the Huns in, if you think todays deadbeat squatters are bad read what the Huns did to Roma once they got their “ invaders” footsies in the door.

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2 Coordinate the cues and timings

One of the main tasks of the stage manager is to call the cues and timings for the show, such as the lights, the sound, the set changes, and the entrances and exits of the actors. You should also coordinate these cues and timings with the front of house staff, who need to know when to open and close the doors, when to start and end the pre-show and post-show announcements, when to dim and brighten the house lights, and when to alert the audience to return to their seats after the intermission. You should also work with them to ensure that the show starts and ends on time, and that any delays or interruptions are handled professionally and courteously.

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Keith Dunn-Fernandez

Detail-oriented Accounts Receivable professional with traditional retail, and business to business sales companies. Excel, Word, Google and NetSuite.
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Stage management has no responsibility whatsoever to front of house. You may as well ask a plumber to advise which wine pairs with what cheese in a restaurant. It is shocking that anyone believes that anyone in production needs to be the least bit concerned with the emotional or psychiatric reactions audience members have, full stop. It's ART, not group therapy. Maybe patrons have a responsibility to know for what play they are buying tickets. The SM for a production of Cannibal Cheerleaders on Crack which I directed 30 years ago was filling rubber bulbs with chocolate pudding as diarrhea and getting a frozen trout out of the fridge for a vagina gag. Delicate flowers attending the theater have their own responsibilities.

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3 Support the accessibility and inclusion

Another important aspect of the stage manager's role is to support the accessibility and inclusion of the show, which means ensuring that the show is accessible and welcoming to all kinds of audience members, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or preferences. You should work with the front of house staff to provide and promote the services and facilities that enhance the accessibility and inclusion of the show, such as captioning, audio description, sign language interpretation, sensory-friendly performances, relaxed performances, wheelchair spaces, hearing loops, large print programs, and trigger warnings. You should also ensure that the front of house staff are trained and equipped to assist and accommodate the diverse needs and requests of the audience.

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Dwight R.B. Cook

Production Manager at Morgan State University / Adjunct Professor for Theatre at MSU
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There is also a reason there is a HOUSE MANAGER. All duties described in this section comes under the purview of the HM and is not to be usurped by a stage manager.

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Michele K. Foster

Teacher/Tutor/Advocate/Managing Director/Business Owner/The Successful Scholar
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I disagree with the author that accessibility and inclusion is the Stage Manager’s responsibility. However, accessibility and inclusion for audience members who have disabilities and/or special needs must be included in the Front of House staff responsibilities. “[C]aptioning, audio description, sign language interpretation, sensory-friendly performances, relaxed performances, wheelchair spaces, hearing loops, large print programs, and trigger warnings…ensure that the front of house staff are trained and equipped to assist and accommodate the diverse needs and requests of the audience.” This is NOT Woke Ideology. This IS inclusion for people with differing abilities, so that all can comfortably attend and enjoy the performance.

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4 Foster the engagement and feedback

Finally, as a stage manager, you should also foster the engagement and feedback of the audience, which means encouraging and facilitating the interaction and connection between the audience and the show. You should work with the front of house staff to create and deliver the opportunities and platforms that foster the engagement and feedback of the audience, such as pre-show and post-show talks, Q&A sessions, surveys, social media, newsletters, and merchandise. You should also monitor and evaluate the audience's reactions and responses, and share them with the cast, crew, and creative team, as well as use them to improve and enhance the show.

By working with the front of house staff, you can ensure that the audience has a great experience, not only during the show, but also before and after. You can also create a positive and collaborative atmosphere, and build a strong and loyal relationship with the audience. As a stage manager, you are not only the leader of the backstage team, but also the bridge between the stage and the house.

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Dwight R.B. Cook

Production Manager at Morgan State University / Adjunct Professor for Theatre at MSU
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The stage manager does not have the responsibility to "foster the engagement and feedback of the audience." If the elements stated in this section have been determined by a producer and/or director as a facet of a production, the stage manager's responsibility is to FACILITATE and provide support for the 'technical' execution of stated 'elements' that have been added to the presentation of said production.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Charlie Kevin

An American actor of television, film, stage, audiobook narration, and voice-overs.
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First of all, among many points in this piece, it's not a stage manager's job to be concerned about inclusion. That's Woke BS put out there by woke writers who wrote this ridiculous piece. Working the front of house is management, period. An SM's job is numero the show, the actors, tech, etc. To ask such an amateur question only says you don't know sh*t about the business. It's insulting.

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How can a stage manager work with front of house to ensure a great audience experience?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Communicate clearly and regularly

2 Coordinate the cues and timings

3 Support the accessibility and inclusion

4 Foster the engagement and feedback

5 Here’s what else to consider

Theatrical Production

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How can a stage manager work with front of house to ensure a great audience experience?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Communicate clearly and regularly

2 Coordinate the cues and timings

3 Support the accessibility and inclusion

4 Foster the engagement and feedback

5 Here’s what else to consider

Theatrical Production

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