PMAC performances would not be complete without the backstage work of stage managers and tech crews.
Have you ever wondered who takes care of lighting, sound, and all the other equipment used for school meetings or PMAC performances? In a world where technology can be accessed easily and rapidly, this job might not seem difficult. It might come as a surprise, then, that six students work backstage at every school meeting. Moreover, during Choate’s musicals, dance shows, and concerts, numerous people, such as stage managers, are behind the scenes.
Stage managers are like sports team managers, but they do their job in the PMAC instead of on the field, and they handle stage props instead of athletic gear. Will Raccio ’18, an experienced tech member who is currently managing Bring It On, said, “Stage Managing is essentially the bridge between the actors and the directors. The stage manager is usually the ‘go-to’ person for an actor if there is a problem or a question. Likewise, I am responsible for reporting information to the actors from the director. To me, it means being organized and on top of my game.”
The responsibilities of a stage manager range wildly. In addition to taking attendance, stage managers also have to write down what the actors do on stage, make prop lists, and notify the sound technician of sound cues, the lighting technician of any special light effects, and the set designer of any pieces of scenery the performance needs. They also have to make sure that the actors are focused and in the right position during every scene.
Of course, there is more than one stage manager doing all the work. For Bring It On, Raccio has three assistant stage managers who help him make sure everything is in order every day. On the day of the performance, each stage manager will be responsible for different tasks. Raccio said, “When the performance will open, I will be in the booth calling all the light cues, sound cues, and fly cues, which are the pieces of scenery flying in from the ceiling. Meanwhile, the assistant stage managers will be in the wings maintaining order backstage.”
These responsibilities often give stage managers pressure because even the slightest mistake could impact the performance and perhaps also risk an actor’s safety. The many things to keep track of makes managing a difficult job. Raccio explained that it is hard for him because he watches over his friends and schoolmates. When they are in rehearsal, he is responsible for keeping them safe and making sure they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. Because he has to take control of certain situations, he needs to give orders to his friends, which can sometimes be awkward.
Furthermore, as the musical approaches, the whole stage crew gets busier. Their busiest time is ‘Tech Week,’ otherwise known as the week during which the full cast of the show is required to rehearse the whole performance every day after school — students often stay in the PMAC as late as 10:00 p.m. This is a stressful time for stage managers, but it all pays off when the show opens.
Because of their positions backstage, managers often question whether they get enough credit. Raccio explained, “I feel that we get plenty of credit for our work. I mean no, we don’t get to take a bow at the end of every show, but actors will come up to me at the end of the day and thank me for everything we as stage managers do, and little things like that are the most meaningful. Ultimately, I know how much work I have put into the show, and what means more than receiving credit is contributing to a show that the community will enjoy.”
Performances are like a puzzle. The work of talented actors could not be completed without the hidden side of the backstage production. These two pieces combine to create a finished and successful show. Without stage managers, Choate would not be known for its remarkable theatre and music programs. So when the time of the musical comes, make sure to acknowledge the managers as much as the performers.
