Quarter
Structure for UCI Stage Management Program Drama 255 - Course
Overview
Year
1 - Course Topics
Fall
Essentials
of Stage Management (10
weeks)
Script breakdown and analysis, pre-production,
auditions, production meetings, callboards, ground
plans, first day of rehearsal, rehearsal process,
tech week, previews, opening night, run of show
and strike.
Winter
Self
Marketing (5
weeks)
Identifying specific job skills, developing
tools for self-promotion, networking and developing
job contacts, practice job interviewing, cover
letters, business cards and resume development.
About
Equity (5
weeks)
The history & background of Actors’
Equity. How Equity works, Getting the most of
out of Equity. Equity Membership Program. What
you don’t know could hurt you. How to
interpret and understand Equity rulebooks, policies
and procedures. Deciding to join Equity?
Spring
Entertainment
Law and Contracts (10
weeks)
Civil vs. criminal law. Understanding industry
contracts and agreements. Copyright laws and
protection. Rights and Royalties. How to find
a good entertainment lawyer. Understanding Entertainment
Labor Unions: SAG, AFTRA, AEA, IASTE, WGA, SSDC,
USA and DGA.
Producing
Your Own Project – Production Management
(10 weeks)
Exploring the role of Producer by co-producing your
own project,
Non-profit vs. for profit corporations. Creation of
mission statements, production budgets and master
calendars. Developing a board of directors and marketing
strategies. Hiring of artists, designers and artistic
team. Legal aspects of financing your project.
Winter
Psychology
for Stage Managers (5
weeks)
Stress management and getting unstuck. What moves us
vs. what stops us. You can’t afford the luxury
of negative thinking. Coping with toxic personalities.
Emotional clearing and self-empowerment. Taking care
of you, - the art of delegation and boundary setting.
Day at a time, celebrating your achievements –
focusing on the long-term goals.
Self Marketing (5
weeks)
Designing your career goals. Practice job interviewing
skills and techniques in class. Creating a map of relationships.
“Feel the fear and do it anyway” - marketing
yourself beyond your resume.
Spring
Safety
and Security in the Theatre (10
Weeks)
CPR Training, Basic first aid, Use of theatrical smoke
and haze,
Working on a raked stage, Use of pyrotechniques and
special effects.
Firearms, stage combat and equipment. Fire marshals
and fire permits.
Creating evacuation plans and procedures for cast, crew
and front of house. Earthquake preparedness. What makes
a healthy building? Equity safety inspections.
Year 3 - Course Topics
Fall
Directing for Stage Managers (10
weeks)
History and evolution of today’s director. Establishing
the director’s approach and point of view. Selecting
the script – researching the script. Working with
the playwright -producer. Casting. Creating the director’s
work script. The director’s rehearsal process.
Stragedy for dress rehearsals and previews. The actor’s
vocabulary – giving notes to the actor. Maintaining
the director’s vision.
Winter
The
History, Nature and Structure of Performing Arts Organizations
and Entertainment Companies (5
Weeks)
Examining commercial vs. non-profit art organizations.
Broadway vs. Off-Broadway vs. regional theatres. Orchestra,
Ballet and Opera Companies. National vs. International
touring. Entertainment Corporations, Movie studios,
Television production, corporate events, theme parks
and cruise ships.
Self-Marketing (5
weeks)
How to get the job you want. Improving your resume and
developing job contacts. Designing a career path for
success by learning how to cope with rejection in a
competive job market. Guest speakers chosen from working
professionals.
Spring
Calling
the Perfect Show (10
weeks)
Creating the ultimate calling script. Blocking scripts.
Finding your best voice. The designer’s vision
in the hands of the stage manager. The show must go
on, keeping the curtain up, understudy, emergency and
put-in rehearsals. The stage manager – crew relationship.
Practice and observing cue calling. Styles of calling
a show. Keeping the performance fresh.
