Behind the Curtain: The Stage Manager and Crew

Last updated over 5 years ago

8 questions

Note from the author:

Theatre or Drama Classes

A Look Behind the Curtain: The Stage Manager and Crew

Rigging is the term used to describe the way that scenery will be placed onstage in what way?

Why would you use "wagons" or "trucks" to move set pieces on stage?

What method do you think we used to move the huge Audrey II plant onstage in the show Little Shop of Horrors?

The large black or white curtain that hangs near the rear of the stage is a...

PROJECT:  A Scenic Design with a Set Change Plan

Now that you've read over some specifics about the pieces that can be incorporated into a set design, it's time to use our imaginations and play in this sandbox.  You are going to design the set for a brand new play that you've written, it is called THE DAY THAT I WAS MYSTERIOUSLY PULLED OUT OF MY BEDROOM AND SET ADRIFT ON THE OCEAN BLUE!

As you might imagine, this play that you wrote is an autobiographical fanstasy piece.  It has two very different sets that you will need to design and draw out:  1. Your bedroom.  2. A lifeboat from the Titanic adrift in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.  The play will alternate between these locations and will require a well planned scene change to flawlessly execute the full stage changeover from one set to the other.

Step 1:
A) Describe, in painful detail, the layout of your bedroom as it exists or the the bedroom that you wish to one day have (if you were a gazillionare). Paint a picture with your words.

B) If you were to base a proscenium stage (the movie theater one, like the auditorium) set design on your bedroom, what would the challenges be? Especially if this needs to be mobile and come on/off stage repeatedly.

c) Describe the Atlantic Ocean set? You were very specific about the type of boat. What will it look like? How do you know it should look like that? How is that thing coming on/off stage repeatedly?

* For both sets, you will have a lovely blue sky backdrop hanging at the back of the stage.

Step 2:
* Complete these tasks in the space provided or on a separate piece of paper. If done on paper, you will show me your work in a Flipgrid later.

A) In the space below, sketch a design of what your "My Bedroom" design might look like. Draw arrows to point out various flying pieces, wagons, etc.

B) Below the design you've just done, draw a top down view so you are able to see where everything goes on stage. It is helpful to see both perspectives.

Step 3:
* Complete these tasks in the space provided or on a separate piece of paper. If done on paper, you will show me your work in a Flipgrid later.

A) In the space below, sketch a design of what your "Atlantic Ocean" design might look like. Draw arrows to point out various flying pieces, wagons, etc.

B) Below the design you've just done, draw a top down view so you are able to see where everything goes on stage. It is helpful to see both perspectives.

Step 4:
Final section! I want you to use the space below to organize a scene chage that goes from "The Bedroom" set to the "Atlantic Ocean" set. You have a crew of ten total people, this includes yourself. The names of your crew are as folllows: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, and Timothy. Use them well! you may lay out your plan with either bullet points or a sketch with arrows and crew assignments listed. Good luck!