A Day in the Life of a Stage Manager, of the opera variety
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2023
- What does an opera stage manager do in a day during tech week? Come along and find out. Utah Opera was gracious enough to let me film a proper "day in the life of" video during their production of Tosca in March of 2022. I shared what a stage manager does to prep for tech, a bit of what the ASM's do in tech and that life isn't always perfect.
While this isn't my usual content, please let me know if you have more stage management questions I could answer for you!
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A huge thank you to Utah Opera for letting me film this awesome day! Another shout out to my awesome ASM’s Alex & Sarah for being willing participants.
And yes, this video was filmed in March of 2022, that is why my hair is blond, long and straight and why it had just snowed in Utah.
Thank you to the Utah Opera for the permission to create this. Wonderful work. Well done.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
i was wondering about the snow...
Lady, YOU FREAKING ROCK!! What an amazing job, and your personality fits so well, the energy you have fits so well! I once, a very long time ago, was an assistant costumer for the Nutcracker in AZ and I was astounded by it all, the production, the stage props, curtains, costumes...... I wish I had stayed in that field, but life has other options, doesn't it?? Thank you for sharing that bit of magic here.
Happy to share my side of the curtain! And the Nutcracker is a wild little piece, I am sure that was challenging.
You're like an air traffic controller for opera! How cool!
Pretty much! It is a lot to manage.
Okay, WOW. I had no idea what you did for your “job-job”. I am impressed. There’s no way I could do what you do.
Many years ago, I was at an Opera Pacific production of Tosca. After Tosca jumped off the wall, I heard a young boy ask, “Grandma, do you think they used a stunt diva?”
Yup! I do love it! Stage Managing that is. Opera is great, but I just like being behind the scenes making sure everything goes well.
“Stunt Diva” is my new dream job, and a t-shirt that I would 100% wear.
As a professional costumer, ve worked with stage managers and you are awesome amazing people!
Aww thanks! I do love stage managers!
I have been lucky enough to work in the opera world as the assistant to the wig and makeup designer. This was fun to watch, thanks for showing a little bit of what most people never see. Funny story, our costume supervisor was taking costumes to the laundromat after a Tosca performance. She got stopped by a police officer, he saw the bloody clothes and told her he needed to search the trunk 😂
Stage Managers are the shit! Literally can't run a show without them. Perhaps one day we will get to work together!
Right?!! I started out SMing, but physical limitations have put the kibosh on that for me. I get my theatre jollies with costumes mostly nowadays (and every once in a blue moon I get cast - woot!) But SMs are absolutely worth their weight in platinum.
I worked almost every backstage job there is when I was in college. Though I was never a stage manager. Building costumes, building sets, working at the light board, building props, and occasionally even acting were the sum total of the many jobs. Oh, and a couple of times i actually directed. But the SM job is by far the hardest and you have my deepest respect for doing it so well. The amount of organization one must have to do the job is something I lack. Thank you for sharing this.
Wow, this seems like hard work but also a blast. Fascinating!
Aww thanks! I love it and relish in the stress (not sure what that says about me...)
I was the costume designer for several plays at my local theater a few years ago and this video brings back a lot of memories for me! Thank you!
Happy to bring back memories!
No idea why this was recommended to me but I'm glad it was. This was fascinating. It must have been quite difficult to film while all that was going on so thank you very much that you did.
No clue why it was recommended either, but glad you came over and watched! It was certainly a challenge (as you saw I forgot and entire intermission), but it was super fun.
That was wonderful! When I voted for this video, I had no idea Tosca was the opera! That was one of my favorite roles. A shout-out to SMs, ASMs, Props, and Set People everywhere. That jump was always my scariest part of the whole opera. Thanks to the wonderful people behind the scenes, I never even got a bump or scratch. This Sop terrified of heights was very grateful.
Oh the jump is always nerve-wracking. Even for the SM’s that check the mat.
Oh my goodness! This brings back sooo many memories. I was the master lighting designer and board tech for a theater back in the early/mid 80s. So long ago that nothing was computerized. If a light on the stage was turned off and on, I did it with little levers up in the sound booth. In the main theater I worked for, I had a two level preset board. Another theater that I took over as light board tech when the flu took out most of the tech staff. My first night there was in the middle of the two-week run (small theater that only had two weeks per show) and before a live audience. Nerve-racking, but tons of fun. I would have loved to be backstage just soaking it all up with you.
Dude, that's even worse than my lighting horror story! In my case, the light board operator was up all night fighting a wildfire that took out a buddy's house, and she didn't get to the theater until 20 minutes before curtain. The poor light board volunteer we had hadn't work a board before and was quaking in his boots! (this was 1990s tech)
Congratulations on kicking ass!
oh DANG! I am in awe of the lighting techs i work with. Good for you!
That was fascinating! I had a very rough idea of what stage management was (let us not talk about the Hornsby High "Bye Bye Birdie"), but it is so much more involved! More of these, please. (Even a "this is what you *don't* do one).
Thank you! It is a rare occasion to get a company to agree to let me film. I had to get clearance from the opera, the union, and all my colleagues. I don't know if I will be able to get to do it again, but it certainly was fun!
Stephanie, you're amazing! I'm so awed by your professional achievements & respect you for bringing such incredible art to our stages. Darling, you rock ❤
Thank you so much! ❤
So interesting!! I loved the backstage shots of the jump onto the safety mat. Would love to see another video like this if you ever get the chance.
For sure!! But to be honest, finding a company and crew willing to do this is quite difficult. So I don't know if the stars will align again.
AAAHHHHHH!!!!!
I got to help assistant stage manage tosca last october, and now I am filled with excited nostalgia ❤❤❤
AMAZING!!!
This is brilliant! I love going to the opera and it's fascinating to see how a show works. I would definitely watch more content like this!
Thank you! It was truly a "stars align" moment. It is rare to get all parties to agree to do this.
This was AMAZING! I have never done anything related to stage/performance things - and outside of watching one amateur panto that our small community theatre did one year, I've only been to a live play once .. over 30 years ago. I see these things on episodes of Midsomer Murders and the like, but it's never been part of my life. This was a whole new world!!
Happy to share a big part of my life with you!
Loved those beads one of the women was wearing at 15 til.
This was super fun. I really enjoyed this.
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for the behind the scenes peek! I try to catch the live broadcast of The Met each month of the season at the theater when they stream. It was cool seeing some of how the magic is made in a production 🌻🍄
I love the Met's broadcasts! I think they have made opera more approachable. I am glad to show a bit of a rougher look behind the scenes.
I always enjoy the Utah Opera when I get the chance to go. Thanks for sharing your job with us! I hope if you ever manage a production in Utah again, you'll let us know so we can come to see the show and support the arts.
Oh fun! And yes, if I go out again, I will post to my community posts about the show.
Wow fascinating Stephanie! Understanding the lingo was difficult at first but then when you started in I believe your eyes fully dilated! 😮 Opera is the best! ❤
Sorry it was hard to understand at first! I tried my best to explain things.☺
@@StephanieCanada no no don't be sorry. You did well to explain, it was just so different than what I sitting in the audience would hear! Lol 🩷
That was fun. I’m almost 60, so that gives you an idea of how long ago I was in college. I was very active in theatre back then, for all 4 years, so this brought back some terrific memories of fun and friendship. Thank you for that.
Oh memories! (Former costumer, dresser, and stagehand here)
Hopefully good ones! ❤
Very much so. Thanks so much for sharing this snippet of your 'real life' and profound skill. 🙏💖
Fantastic! Brings back memories of my theatre days (or is it daze...?) I hope the performers appreciate the gem of a TD they have in you! No wonder you like vintage sewing...it's therapy!
Thanks! We had a great time on this show. And just so you know, I am the PSM, the TD (technical director) is basically me but for all the scenic aspects.
Loved that! As a former Assistant Conductor at a major opera company, I have huge respect for Stage managers and ASMs. Sounds like that was a really great rehersal!
I live so close to SLC. I would have bought tickets if I had known you were managing this opera. It would have been fun to say "I know people back stage" 😂
If I head back I will make sure to do a community post about the show.
@@StephanieCanada thank you!
How cool!! Thanks for taking us along!
I was so happy the company agreed to let me film this! The stars truly aligned.
Thank you so much for this video!! It’s so interesting to see this side of the curtains.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!
I did musical theatre for 15 years and I think the most fun I had was as an ASM and having the SM let me call a show... scary but so much fun. I miss it a lot
I had to run the music for a wedding my husband was officiating once and I nearly had a heart attack from the anxiety of clicking ONE THING! I was certain that "Big Booty Ho" was going to play instead of "Here Comes The Bride". You are amazing!
This is so interesting! You go girl😀🙌🙌🙌 I’m an opera singer, and i am doing my masters at the Conservatory at the moment.
You got this! Who knows maybe we will work together in the future!
Amazing ! So interesting! Cool job.
Thank you! I do love my job. It is the BEST!
That was brilliant! More videos like this please Stephanie!
Aww thanks! It is VERY rare to find a company willing to do this.
This. Was. Riveting. Thank you for the fun diversion!
Happy to provide the diversion!
Tosca is my favorite opera. Thanks for sharing your very interesting job.
Thank you so much for watching! And yes, Tosca is a GREAT opera to watch and work on.
Awesome! I'm in the middle of career planning and I love these kinds of videos
Oh VERY cool! I never did do that, I just knew I loved organizing and so this is where I went. 😂
This is your Day Job Stephanie. I have watched so many of your videos but not realised this is what you do. Thanks for sharing.
I never ever was part of a theater experience and this is so fascinating to be behind the scenes for tech! Neato!! Much appreciated. I voted for this. I do safety for construction so you know what I do. This is way cool. I’m a sewing follower but glad to have voted to see this.
I love love love opera! This is so neat to be able to see.
So happy to provide a peek behind the scenes.
Definitely got a few flashbacks over here! I did nearly every tech theatre position at least once for my degree, but stage manager was always beyond me - definitely one of the hardest jobs in the business!
Same! I had to cycle through all the positions in college. Glad I was able to give you a flashback (hopefully good ones).
@@StephanieCanada Definitely good! My college actually shared a campus with a professional theatre, so I had the good fortune to have my work study job in that theatre for 3 1/2 years. After college I focused on film. Sometimes I forget how much backstage can feel like home. So it was nice to "be" backstage again.
You’re cool and should feel cool. Thanks for that behind the scenes from an opera, I had no idea.
Aww thanks!
That was super cool!! Really informative!
I am glad it was informative! I realized that without explaining most folks wouldn't understand what they were looking at.
That was amazing! Thank you for sharing. 💕
I am so glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to do for sure
That was so interesting Stephanie. It’s nice to see some thing about your real life. What an interesting mix your job is. It’s like you are the technical backbone of a very creative process in which you don’t get to be really creative per se lol. Although I bet some of your problem solving skills reach a creative level that’s unbelievable. Fascinating look behind the curtain.
Actually PSM’s really get to be a large part of the creative process by bringing in our sense of timing and artistry to the call.
Thanks for making this video!! I've worked wardrobe on a bunch of opera shows & the SMs work so hard!! It's nice to see those of us in blacks getting some screen time.
I remember when U told us U had this footage. I was like YES, bring it on, being curious + interested in this side of U. Women are so capable + multi-faceted! I remember the cape challenge too! Neat vlog, thx 4 sharing. Ciao.
Yup! it took me FAR too long to make this work, but glad I could share it with you.
So cool! Thank you for this look behind the scenes.
Thank you so much for watching!
This is fun! I like seeing different sides of people and also like to be reminded how terrible I would be at certain occupations. 😂
That was great! Good job!
Thank you so much!
This is just excessively cool! So many moving pieces - kudos to you and the ASMs making sure everything is thought of.
Aww thanks! It really was fun!
This is AMAZING! Thank you for sharing it!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for watching it!
That was amazing! Thanks for the look at backstage opera.
Is this your " day job"? How cool!
It is! Even thought it has been a year since I have done an opera, it never leaves my body. ❤
This was fascinating. Thanks for the peek into your job - looks like such controlled chaos!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for watching!
Very interesting Steph. I have no experience in this, obviously, so I learned something new. Your hair is straight!
Seeing things behind the scenes is always really cool to see. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for watching and commenting! ❤
Loved this Stephanie! And yes, Alex and Sarah rock!
Really interesting! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you so much for watching!
This was amazing! I loved seeing what happens behind the scenes - I hope you do more of these (costume design & creation? set building?) I came for the sewing bits, but I stayed for the show> Cheers!
Wow! I didn’t realize all that was involved. Thank you for sharing this, and thanks to Utah Opera as well
You are so welcome! I truly love my job.
Cool! Thanks for the literal peek behind the curtain! Super interesting
You are so welcome! It was fun to do, just wish I had more footage.
Thank you! As someone who’s only ever watched stage productions from the audience, that was fascinating. My god, I can just imagine the job of the stage manager at the royal danish opera now, in between sets, as they don’t change set dressings - they swap out their entire stage. The whole thing is on rails and they have five full-size stages they can swap in and out as the play progresses. That backstage area is *wild*! :D
Thank you for doing this video. My hubby has done many stage crew positions over the years. I am only very familiar with the black shirts since I'm not allowed backstage. He has done lighting, sound, and even stage manager for many small theater productions. He is about to do Jazz Fest here in New Orleans in a few weeks
Great video. Something you would think you would never see. So happy you got to share this with us.
It really was the stars aligning. It is very rare to get a company AND theatre to agree to something like this.
Wow! Very interesting, thank you.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to watch and comment! It helps so much!
You are in one of my favorite places! I wish i still worked there so we could cross paths. Watch out for my favorite ghost, he loves throw hangers!
Oh my! I never ran into the ghosts, but now I wish I had.
@@StephanieCanada there was a fire long ago and an usher died helping people get out of the building. If you acknowledge him he will let you know he is there😄
As a music teacher, I’m here for this content!
Aww thanks! I do love it.
Wowser.... that's amazing! Your management skills are fabulous.
Aww thanks!
Amazing job!
Very very interesting, thank you for showing us!
Very cool to see
Thank you for taking the time to watch! ❤
Wow! Super fantastic!
thank you for a great vid!!!!
Thank you for watching and commenting! ❤
That was so cool!!!
Thank you so much for watching! ❤
This is amazing!
Thank you so much for watching!
I loved this !!!
Thank you so much for watching and commenting! ❤
loved this...thanks for putting this up...very cool!
Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment! It helps the video SO much!
What an interesting and exciting job! Thank you for the insight 😊
Thank you for taking time out of your day to watch!
That was so interesting.
So glad you enjoyed it!
This was awesome to watch.
Thank you! ❤
Wow! I did props for Hamlet my first semester of college. That was hard enough, but what you do is beyond anything I can imagination. I'm impressed!!!!!
Thank you so much! I love it!
Wow! Great video
Thank you so much for watching!
I miss stage managing. 😍
Wow! I had no clue how all the stage magic happens!! Thank You for that peek behind the curtain and into your “other” life! I haven’t seen a lot of opera, but I’ve seen dozens of Broadway musicals and plays. I assume they do the same kind of routine to make everything run smooth from the audience perspective. Looks like Basic Black is the uniform for all backstage crew! Totally enjoyed this video!!!
Yep, that's pretty much the way it happens across all theatre (there are aspects that are different, depending on the type, but overall pretty similar). Yes, all black clothing is almost always required for backstage crew so you have less chance of being seen/noticed by the audience if a curtain/set piece accidentally shifts, or if you have to go onstage while the curtain is open.
Happy to provide a sneak peek! Actually, in opera, stage managers rarely have to wear all black, but in this one case, my ASM absolutely did!
@@StephanieCanada Yeah, I've had a couple of theatre shows where I didn't have to wear all black to SM, but I'm usually doing (very) small community theatre, so I end up doing double or triple duty as SM/costume chief/stage crew/whatever else is needed.
I love this! Thanks for sharing this amazing content! 👍❤️
Thank you so much for watching!
Absolutely fascinating! Thank you for sharing such an interesting job!
Thank you so much for watching!
You are fricking amazing!!! Thank you for sharing your job with us! This was so interesting, and I knew you were cool, but I never imagined this level of cool!!! ❤
Very interesting!
Glad you think so! Thank you for watching!
Great job, Stephanie! Thanks for showing us the hard work and skill that goes into making the magic!
Thank you for watching and commenting!
Thanks to you, your assistants, the cast, crew and management of the opera.
I love live theater so this was truly a delight to see what goes into a production. Thank you
I am so happy to provide a peak behind the scenes.
Thank you. I love a good show, but it is the technical aspects that fascinate me. You rock.
Thank you so much for watching my behind the scenes sneak peek.
This was great. Thanks so much for the view into what you do. Makes me miss the theatre troupe at my old university. Congratulations on living the dream. Well done.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
Thank you so much for watching! Glad I could tug at the memory strings.
This is so fascinating, thank you! I have a relative who designs/sews costumes for stage (non-USA) so I always enjoy learning about how it works behind the scenes.
Very cool!
When calling opera, does it help/is it necessary to know how to read music? ❤ Theatre people are my favorite people 🎉
For opera, music reading is VERY helpful. While I will not say it is mandatory (since I know quite a few SM's who don't but still call beautiful shows), it is seen as an extremely helpful skill to have when discussing with the musicians.
This was interesting, thanks Stephanie. I was surprised to see that people are still wearing masks. I'm in Australia and that isn't a thing here now
This rehearsal was in early 2022, but with the need to protect the singers (who are non-replaceable-these artists are booked years in advance. If they get sick, they cannot be replaced. How would you feel is you bought a ticket to see Taylor Swift and she was replaced last minute with an understudy? Not what you paid for, right?)
Yes, this was March of 2022, but I do know lots of big opera houses in the US still require them. We do not have cover roles most of the time, and we also don't have the time to re-teach the entire show to someone else. So we wear masks to keep our show moving forward.
@@StephanieCanada That was my thinking. Heck, the First Lady just tested positive for COVID again!
More please
I don't know if another one like this will be possible, as it took a lot of parties agreeing to this filming to make it happen. It is rare that the stars align like this.