ABSTRACT
Up to this point in the production process the DSM has been in rehearsal, working on the prompt book. During the lighting and sound rehearsal the DSM is found in the stalls, having direct contact with the director, designer and lighting designer in order to confirm the sequence, duration and position of cues in the text. When this task is complete the DSM relocates to the pre-arranged prompt corner, which is usually located downstage left, just off stage – if it is situated in a similar position stage right it is referred to as the ‘bastard prompt’! The position of the prompt corner should allow a good view of the stage and the action that will take place and it can be improved, though crudely, by a mirror on the upstage side of the proscenium arch. Nowadays it is very often possible to have a television monitor in front of the DSM showing a central view of the stage. In some conventional theatres it may be possible to reposition the prompt corner in a stage box in the auditorium although this will mean that the communication systems on which the DSM relies has to be repositioned, in a studio theatre, the DSM may be situated behind glass so that the business of running the show does not infringe on the play itself. On occasions such as this a separate prompt would be positioned in the audience as an insurance policy against drying actors. Under normal circumstances, however, it will be the DSM who provides a prompt.
