ABSTRACT
The stage manager is theatre's greatest gift to the director. A director who works with a good stage manager never wishes to work without one again. During preproduction, the stage manager's function is to get ready for the production, primarily by preparing the production book and becoming familiar with the show. The main function of the stage manager during the auditions is to allow the director to totally focus on the casting decisions by relieving him or her of all administrative and managerial responsibilities. Once the production enters the rehearsal phase, the stage manager assumes the duty of providing for the mechanical needs of the rehearsals. The rehearsals enter the technical rehearsal phase, the stage manager takes on additional responsibilities. The dress rehearsals are run by the stage manager in the same manner as performances. The director must take good care of the stage manager. It is important for the director to recognize the difficulty of the stage manager's task.
