- Calls and Cans
- Creating Mess On Stage
- Essential Skills
- Food and Drink on Stage
- Glossary of Technical Theatre Terms – Directing
- Glossary of Technical Theatre Terms – Forms of Theatre
- Glossary of Technical Theatre Terms – Stage Management
- Glossary of Technical Theatre Terms – The Theatre Building
- Managing Props
- Paper Props for the Stage
- Props Tables
- Scene Changes
- Smoking on Stage
- Song of the Stage Hands
- Stage Management Team
- The Prompt Book
- The Show Report
- Theatre Ghosts and Superstitions
- Theatrical Consumables
- Theatrical Style and Form
- Touring
- Weapons on Stage
Practical Effects
See also Safety in Live Entertainment page
Books
2022
2020
2018
2017
2016
2016
2014
2013
2011
2010
2009
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2001
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2000
1998
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1994
1992
1991
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
- Backstage Crew at the LA Opera
- Calling Final Countdown on Rock Of Ages (London)
- DSM Cueing at the Royal Opera House
- Hamilton: Love for the Techies Day - DSM Cueing
- How to tie a bowline knot
- How to tie a Clove Hitch
- How to tie a sheet bend
- Stage Manager - Careers at the National Theatre
- The Nutcracker: Tricks and Illusions at the Royal Ballet
- Thunder Run at the Bristol Old Vic
- Time Lapse: Dick Whittington
- Time Lapse: Maroon 5 Load In
- Time-lapse of Set Changeover at the Royal Opera House
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) |