ABSTRACT
Many people, attracted to a career in theatre as stage managers, seem to think that it is a purely technical role. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Theatre-making is, by its very nature, a truly collaborative process involving a large group of people, all with different skills, striving together to create the perfect end-result. A group of people is like a living organism, adapting and evolving until it can function at its optimum potential. All groups go through a series of recognisable phases before they reach this goal – although sometimes they never reach it. Stage management need to establish the group dynamic of their own team before the phase starts within the company as a whole. This will enable them to concentrate on helping to make it a smooth process for the company, preparing an optimum environment for the group to form in. Blocking has been completed, workshops have taken place and dominant themes have been established.
