Stage Management

Practical Effects 

See also Safety in Live Entertainment page

Books

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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

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)