With 20 productions each year from the Richard Burton Company alone, our stage managers are kept very busy.
Stage manager Gemma Smith worked on one of the first plays of this new year, London Wall.
Scene from the life of a Stage Manager behind London Wall
For her stage managing is as much about being organised as it is about being an approachable problem-solver:
“Life as a Stage Manager is busy but rewarding. The biggest challenge is time management and delegating work to team members.
But seeing the show come together from fit-up to the first show is the most enjoyable aspect of the job. It makes you realise that the last few weeks of pre-production were worth it.”
Although it’s been hard work, Gemma says her time at the College has proved invaluable in getting her ready for her professional career.
“London Wall was challenging because there was a lot going on behind the scenes of a deceptively simple set, so it needed a lot of organisation and planning.
Working on this show has been a great opportunity as it has provided a stepping stone before leaving RWCMD and making my way into the professional world.
”I’ll be sad to leave the College, but I now feel fully prepared for life in the industry and I am excited about what lies ahead.”
“My best advice is to remain calm, be approachable and willing to help,” she said.
“Creating a calm and stress-free atmosphere during the whole production allows everything to run smoothly.”
The London Wall stage management team (left to right): Grace Bilsborough, Gemma Smith and Alice Satherly-Thomas
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Find out more about our Stage & Event Management courses on our website.
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