Stage Management, 10th Edition

11

Supervision of Shifts

 

All things come to him who waits, but they come sooner if he goes out to see what’s wrong.

—Anonymous

 

When working in the round, find a way to coordinate a stage crew of 15 in making scene shifts, striking an average of five props and 11 set pieces and setting as many—in 30 seconds—in the dark—every 12 minutes—for 1 hour and 35 minutes—for a total of 14 shifts. This is the type of logistical problem that can make stage managers lose sleep and eat aspirins.

SHIFT PLOT CHARTS

A shift plot chart (figure 11.1) is a device that will help you plan and supervise scene shifts. Although this technique (and this example) is primarily applicable to productions in the round, it may also be used for complex shifts in any theater. ...