Prompt Book Masters
This document contains the script with all cues, blocking, and notes used to run the show.
What is a Prompt Book?
This stage management document contains the names, positions, phone numbers, and emails of the entire production team and cast.
What is a Contact Sheet
The moment when a technician executes a cue is triggered by this word from the stage manager.
What is Go
This person runs rehearsals and maintains the artistic vision of the show.
Who is the Director
This happens before casting when actors read or perform for the director.
What are Auditions
In a prompt book, cues are traditionally written on this side of the script page so they are easy to see while calling the show.
What is the margin
This document is sent after rehearsal to update the production team on what happened and what issues each department needs to address.
What is Rehearsal Report
These are the five technical cue departments we practiced writing cues for
What are Lighting, Sound, Deck, Projections, and Fly/Rail
This person is responsible for running the show once performances begin.
Who is the Stage Manage
This step happens after auditions when the director invites actors back.
What are Callbacks
On the Smart Board, draw a prompt book script page layout showing where the script text, cue column, and blocking notes go.
The instructor will evaluate
This document shows the full schedule of the production from auditions to closing night.
What is the Master Production Calendar
On the Smart Board, draw a cue notation for a script showing how you would mark Lighting Cue 24 in two different ways.
BONUS: 10 points
Where is this written and how do we know where to write it? (Use proper terminology)
L24 or LX24
BONUS ANSWER: Written in margin triggered by its cue line
Before rehearsal begins, actors must do this on the callboard sheet.
What is Sign In
This week includes cue-to-cue, tech rehearsals, and adding lights/sound.
What is Tech Week
This phrase is used to alert technicians that a cue is coming soon.
What is Standby
On the Smart Board, write the 5 most important sections of a rehearsal report.
Rehearsal times
Attendance
Notes by department
Schedule for next rehearsal
Director notes / SM notes
This rehearsal focuses on running the show cue by cue without full acting scenes.
What is a Cue-to-Cue
An actor is late, props are missing, and rehearsal is starting.
What is the first thing the stage manager should do?
Communicate with the director and begin solving the problem while keeping rehearsal moving.
Interactive Smart Board Drawing
Draw a basic production timeline. Include the 6 Main events on a production Calendar
Auditions → Rehearsals → Tech Week → Preview → Opening Night
One team member must call a cue sequence using proper terminology for:
1 Lighting cue
1 Sound cue
1 Deck cue
STANDBY LX 1, SFX 3, D7
TANYA:
I told you we shouldn’t have come back here.
MARCUS:
Relax. It’s just a street. Ain’t nobody out here.
LX 1 GO
(Streetlight flickers and turns on above them.)
TANYA:
See? Even the lights acting weird tonight.
SFX 3 GO
(A loud police siren passes in the distance.)
MARCUS:
Okay… that was a little creepy.
D7 GO
(A trash can suddenly rolls across the stage as if pushed by the wind.)
TANYA:
Marcus… tell me that wasn’t there before.
MARCUS:
Yeah… I think it’s time to go.
Your team has 60 seconds to list at least 6 documents that belong on a Stage Manager’s Callboard.
Contact sheet
Calendar
Daily schedule
Cast list
Rehearsal report
Sign-in sheet
Emergency procedures
Interactive Scenario
A scene change requires:
Lights fade
Music starts
Table rolled on stage
Your team must write the correct cue sequence the stage manager would call.
SB L14, S B, D2
TASHA: “Say less. Let’s go.”
L14 GO
(Actors start walking)
S B GO
D2 GO
Crisis Management Challenge (Interactive)
You are the Stage Manager and rehearsal is about to start. Three problems happen at the same time:
The lead actor is 15 minutes late
The prop needed for Scene 2 is missing
The director asks to skip ahead to Scene 5
Your team has 60 seconds to explain:
What are the first 3 things a professional Stage Manager should do?
Communicate with the director about the actor being late and confirm rehearsal adjustments.
Send someone to locate or substitute the missing prop.
Reorganize the rehearsal schedule or move to another scene so time isn’t wasted.
Take notes to include in the rehearsal report.
Keep the rehearsal room calm and focused.
Your team has 1 minute to create a mini production calendar that includes:
First rehearsal
Costume fittings
Tech week
Preview
Opening night
Instructor will check