ABSTRACT
This chapter helps the beginning young and less experienced stage managers to grasp the enormous number of tasks that will be expected of them as the stage manager of a production. Good stage management is pivotal to a successful production process. The chapter provides a generic overview of the field, and should serve as guidelines and a starting place for inexperienced stage managers. However, standardization is important, so use the best judgment as one begin to grow as a stage manager to decide when to bend and change the "rules". Stage management is not only a job, but also a state of mind. It requires dedication, passion, patience, a little neuroticism, and a whole lot of love for what one do. There are many different types of theaters out there with many different artistic structures, all of which function slightly or not so slightly differently.
