Stage Management

Practical Effects  

See also Safety in Live Entertainment page

Books

2022

Touring Theatrical Productions
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2020

Productivity Through Wellness for Live Entertainment and Theatre Technicians
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2018

The Fake Food Cookbook
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2017

Stage Management: The Essential Handbook
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2016

Stage Management
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2016

The Production Manager's Toolkit
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2014

The Theatrical Firearms Handbook
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2013

The Stage Manager's Toolkit
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2011

Back Stage Guide to Stage Management
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2010

A Survival Guide for Stage Managers
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2009

A Practical Guide to Working in Theatre
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2004

Essentials of Stage Management
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2001

Stage Management: A Practical Guide
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2001

The Staging Handbook
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2000

Essential Guide to Stage Management, Lighting and Sound
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
1998

Stage Management: A Gentle Art
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
1998

Stage Managing and Theatre Etiquette
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
1997

Stage Management: A Guidebook of Practical Techniques
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
1994

Stage Management and Theatre Administration
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
1992

The Stage Management Handbook
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
1991

Stage Management Forms & Formats
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US

Handy Tips:

  • Conversion from one unit to another can be done in a Google Search box. Simply type (for example) 10 metres in feet.
  • If you’re making fake white wine for stage use, don’t use grape juice if the ‘wine’ is sitting in a bottle undrunk for a few days. The juice will start to ferment and the bottles may explode! For ‘wine’ that actors don’t have to drink, use a squash / cordial.
    See also Food and Drink on Stage for more details

Everbeam Head Torch
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US

Sticky Memo Index Tabs
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US

The Useful Knots Book
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US

Video

External Links

Discussion Forums

Podcast: Production Meetings Essential listening
Podcast: Theatrewolf History and Innovation in a wide range of technical theatre areas
The Blue Room Technical Discussion Forum [UK]

Equipment

101 Uses for Gaffa Tape (Photo gallery)
101 Uses for Gaffer Tape (List)
DSMPorium Stationery for Stage Managers [UK]
Ironclad Performance Work Gloves [Los Angeles, CA, USA]
Pockit Utility holsters & accessories for your tools [USA]
Setwear Gloves, belts, bags [CA, USA]
Tools for Stagecraft [USA]

Health & Safety

BAPAM British Association for Performing Arts Medicine [UK]
ESTA Fog / Smoke [USA]
Health & Safety Executive [UK]
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards [USA]
Online Sign Free Printable Safety Sign Maker
Rosco: Flame Retarding Scenery
RU Safe? information and guidance about safety in small venues [UK]
The Purple Book - The Purple Guide to Health, Safety and Welfare at Music and Other Events [UK]
The Yellow Book - ABTT Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment Safety standards and guidelines for venues. [UK]
Theatre Safety Blog

Jobs

Gallowglass Event Crews in UK & Mainland Europe [UK & Europe]
Parents & Carers In Performing Arts [UK]
Mandy.com (formerly StageJobsPro) Theatre and Stage Jobs for UK Professionals [UK]

Manufacturers

Clear-Com Headsets [USA]
Eartec Wireless Headsets [USA]

Publications

The Stage Online TV, Film and Stage News, Reviews, Jobs and Articles [London, UK]

Resources

Allan Chapman & James Insurance Public Liability Insurance etc. [UK]
Animated Knots [USA]
Birkbeck-Jerwood Space London Rehearsal Room Survey 2016
Crew Cover Insurance Public Liability Insurance etc. [UK]
Doodsons Entertainment Public Liability Insurance etc. [UK]
EIF Events Industry Forum
Guide on Running Events Safely UK Health & Safety Exectuive [UK]
La Playa UK Public Liability Insurance etc. [UK / USA]
Production Managers Forum - Conversations About Production Managemetn Series of Videos
Prop A Scene Directory of UK Prop Suppliers [UK]
SM Network Online resource for stage managers. Hundreds of useful links.
Stage Directions for Directors and Actors Some thoughts from Louis E. Catron [USA]
StageWork Resources about the backstage work of the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and Birmingham Rep
Theatre Digs Booker Touring Accommodation Finder [UK]
This To That Glue Advice
Wrightsure Insurance Public Liability Insurance [UK]

Software

ForScore App Sheet Music
Line Notes for iPad
Line-In for iPad
Omnifocus To Do List management
Online Tool - Image Background Removal
PDF Element - Wondershare
PDF Expert - Readdle
Priava Venue & Event Management Booking
Production Pro App Rehearsal notes, script, score
Que-It for iPad
Scriptation Paperless Script Management
ShoFlo Collaborative Show Calling Software [USA]
Stage Write Documenting Choreography and Stage Moves
Theatron Planning Software for Productions [Finland]
Trint Online Transcription
Veed Transcription, Subtitles and Online Editing
VenueOps Venue Management

Suppliers

Abdy Retro Stage Telephone Ringer [UK]
Actor Cigarette Safe Smoking Prop
Front Row Furniture Event Furniture, New & Secondhard [London, UK]
Gun Barrel Ranch Western Furniture and Decorations [USA]
London Taxidermy Natural History Hire and Sales [London, UK]
Mary Propins Vintage Props & Furniture [Manchester, UK]
Men at Work Hire of Industrial / Work Props
Messy Supplies Gunge, Foam, Slime [UK]
Props4Shows Wide range of fake food, animals, themed props, decorations [UK]
Rose Brand Stage Curtains, Fabrics, Backdrops, Production Hardware [CA & NJ, USA & Canada]
Triple E Curtain tracks and entertainment engineering solutions [UK]
Withycombe Fair Fake Flowers / Silk Flowers [UK]

Unions / Associations

AAPTLE Alliance of Associations & Professionals in Theatre and Live Events [UK]
ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) Training, Advice, Membership [London, UK]
Actors Equity [American actors and stage managers] [USA]
BECTU Broadcasting, Entertainment & Cinematograph Trade Union (UK) [London, UK]
British Actors Equity [London, UK]
IATSE International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees [USA]
LPA Live Performance Australia
NCDT (National Council for Drama Training) [London, UK]
PLASA UK Professional Lighting & Sound Association [UK]
Skillset [London, UK]
Stage Management Association [London, UK]
Stage Management Association [USA]
TMA (Theatre Managers' Association) [London, UK]
USITT United States Institute for Theatre Technology [USA]

Video Resources

Backstage at the Royal Opera House - The Opera Machine Full access to 21 cameras backstage for Act III of the Ring Cycle
The DSM in Performance (Discover National Theatre Video)