Let's talk about tape

Tape will be used throughout your stage management endeavors (and honestly in your LIFE endeavors), so let’s go over some tape basics from your resident user of tape. I myself have solved many a theatre emergencies and “fixed” many a household items with my handy roll of gaff tape and you can too!

GAFFER’S TAPE

AKA Gaff Tape

DESCRIPTION: a strong pressure-sensitive tape made of cotton cloth

USE FOR: Taping cables to the ground, taping two items together, sturdy (but temporary) fixes

GOOD TO KNOW:

  • Gaffer’s tape can typically be removed without leaving behind adhesive residue.

  • You can typically tear it with your hands (no scissors needed)

BRANDS: Pro Gaffer (Tape Works), Gaffer Power (Gaffer Power, Amazon), Pro Tape (Amazon)

SPIKE TAPE

A stack of colorful rolls of spike tape

DESCRIPTION: A thin roll of gaffer’s tape (1/2”), typically in an assortment of colors

“In the days of Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre, the actual floor of the stage was dirt. In order to lay out specific locations on that stage, the director would actually put spikes into the ground to show the actors where to stand.” - Tape Works (website)

USE FOR: Marking spots on the stage for scenery placement and actors marks

GOOD TO KNOW:

  • Like gaffer’s tape, spike tape can typically be removed without leaving behind adhesive residue.

  • You can typically tear it with your hands (no scissors needed)

  • A fun stage management hack is to take a small piece of wood or a dowel and wrap several different colors of spike around it, fashioning a sort of spike tape wand (so you don’t have to carry around a bunch of bulky rolls!)

BRANDS: Gaffer Power (Gaffer Power, Amazon), Rose Brand (Rose Brand)

DUCT TAPE

DESCRIPTION: a strong pressure-sensitive tape made of cotton cloth and coated with polyethylene (a plastic polymer)

USE FOR: Taping items together, sturdy but potentially damaging fixes, and (I have to say it) repairing ducts

GOOD TO KNOW:

  • Duct tape WILL typically leave residue behind

  • You can typically tear it with your hands (no scissors needed)

BRANDS: Duck Tape (Amazon), 3M (Amazon) Gorilla Tape - which is a thicker version of standard duct tape (Amazon), many more

GLOW TAPE

DESCRIPTION: A vinyl glow-in-the-dark tape

USE FOR: Marking spots that crew or actors need to see in the dark (e.g. an actor’s mark, scenery location, or a hazard backstage)

GOOD TO KNOW:

  • Glow tape needs to be “recharged” regularly, which can be down by shining a flashlight on it

  • You can usually find pre-cut glow tape dots / shapes, but if you’re not investing in that - it’s a good idea to pre-cut your pieces of glow tape in advance (you CANNOT tear it)

  • There is also the combination glow gaffer’s tape

BRAND: Rose Brand (Rose Brand), Pro Tapes (Amazon)


ELECTRICAL TAPE

DESCRIPTION: An insular vinyl pressure-sensitive tape

USE FOR: Repairing minor breaks or tears in electrical cords

BRANDS: 3M (Amazon), Duck (Amazon), many others

MASKING TAPE

AKA Painter’s Tape

DESCRIPTION: A pressure-sensitive paper tape

USE FOR: Hanging signs on walls, marking off areas, a less-effective spike tape alternative for spaces that prohibit spike tape

GOOD TO KNOW: Masking tape is usually considered the safest tape to use for protecting surfaces - it is not likely to cause damage or leave residue on surfaces

BRANDS: Scotch (Amazon - white tape, Amazon - blue tape), many others

PACKING TAPE

DESCRIPTION: A pressure-sensitive, and oftentimes translucent, adhesive coated onto a plastic or vinyl backing

USE FOR: Taping two lightweight items together, (again, I have to…) packing/sealing boxes

GOOD TO KNOW: Putting a strip of packing tape over a paper label or sign can create a lamination effect and help the sign last longer.

BRANDS: Scotch (Amazon), many others

TRANSPARENT TAPE

DESCRIPTION: A pressure-sensitive transparent tape adhesive coated onto a backing, typical in homes & offices

USE FOR: Taping two lightweight items together, repairing rips in paper/scripts, hanging signs on walls (depending on the wall’s surface)

BRANDS: Scotch Tape (Amazon), SO MANY OTHERS

WHERE DO I GET THEM, THOUGH?

Where do you buy all of these tapes, you ask?

Well, hopefully, YOU don’t have to buy most of them (they should be provided by the company.) But, if you’re like me and ENJOY having your own variety of tape OR you’re purchasing tape to be reimbursed OR you’re a just-in-case prepper, here are some options:

  • Amazon - Amazon affiliate links are interspersed throughout this article! Amazon has everything, but it’s difficult to always know the quality of the items you are receiving due to the incredible variety of sellers.

Want me to talk about more types of tape? Love tape? Let me know. We can do Marley tape, plumber’s tape, medical tapes, even washi tape. I like tape.

Remote Learning for Stage Management Students

For any stage management students sent home or unable to attend classes:

Practice Taking Blocking Notes on Single Set TV Shows!

Any TV Show that primarily uses the same set can provide some AMAZING blocking note practice!

  1. Pick a TV Show! TV shows that regularly use the same set are USUALLY sitcoms, try:

    • Friends (Rachel & Monica’s Apartment)

    • The Big Bang Theory (Leonard & Sheldon’s Apartment)

    • Cheers (the bar)

    • Fraiser (Fraiser’s Apartment)

    • Golden Girls (their house)

    • Full/er House (the living room)

    • and many more…

  2. Obtain the Ground Plan

    • Some shows ground plans are easily obtainable online - check out this AMAZING ground plan art

    • Draw your own! Break out the papers, pencils, and rulers!

  3. Make a blocking KEY

  4. Watch the show and take those blocking notes!

Practice Calling a Show

This one works best if you have TWO THINGS:

  1. A recording of a show

  2. A copy of the calling script

Then, just follow along and practice making all the calls on time!

CONSIDER: Recording yourself so you can hear how you sound over headset!

Have a Paperwork Exchange

Sharing ideas for paperwork format & content is ALWAYS fun (to stage management nerds) - find some people to exchange paperwork with and use those ideas to improve yours!

Actually Read the Textbook

Or read the ones from other schools…

Learn Useful Skills

Many skills will make you a better SM!

  • Learn to read music
    It will expand the jobs you can work - musicals, operas, dance!

  • Learn Basic ASL

  • Focus on a specific theatre tech element to learn more about (lighting, sound, projection, props, scenic, etc.)

Take Internet Courses

Stage Management is COMPLEX and there are a lot of courses that apply to stage management!

FREE ONLINE CLASSES

Coursera

edX

FEMA Online Courses

Watch Videos

Read… More

Theatre Industry

Business & Leadership

PLEASE NOTE: This post includes affiliate links.

Have more ideas? Comment below!

New Store Page & Website Updates!

Check out the NEW Store page, including updated paperwork downloads & personalized resume feedback!

In addition, there are updated/new FREE paperwork examples where they’ve always been, under ‘Resources.’

Last, but not least, there is now extensive information on the different theatre cities in the United States under the ‘Careers’ tab! (Want your city on the list? Contact us!)

Happy stage managing!

In the News - January 2019

It’s 2019.

Early in the month, the Today Show honored their longtime stage manager Mark Traub. 

A stage manager went onstage at the Met to announce technical difficulties before a performance of Carmen.

The Sydney Morning Herald wrote a piece on stage manager, Holly Robinson, of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Australia.

Anything can happen and added pressure is what I live off - Holly Robinson

The International Examiner showcased Seattle stage manager, Malie Fujii.

In Jamaica, young people are learning how to stage manage music festivals as part as a cultural exchange educational training program with the UK called Backstage to the Future.

And - a reminder that RENT Live on Fox is playing on January 27 at 8/7c.

In the News - June 2018

Happy July!

And yes, I can’t believe it’s July either…

Here’s the June “In the News” Round-Up!

The touring Hamilton stage managers spoke at (my undergrad Alma mater) UC Irvine in a panel called “In Conversation with the Hamilton Stage Management Team” - they discussed what drew them to theatre, the pros and cons of touring, and much more!

In case you need even more Hamilton, the Broadway production stage manager, Amber White, explained the countless duties required to run such a giant production in Playbill.

Stage Manager Gareth Hulance outlined the difference between stage managing theatre and ceremonies (ex. the Olympics!) on TheatreArtLife.

Tyler Mount, stage manager turned producer, discussed his career trajectory and successes in an interview with Out Magazine.

The BBC wrote a brief piece on a stage manager that is suing a production company for negligence after his feet were crushed by a counterweight.

 

In The News - May 2018

I hope May was great all around!

There was a LOT of stage manager news this month - here are the highlights -

There is a NEW stage management book called Whenever You're Ready written by Shawn DeSouza-Coelho, following the career of Canadian stage manager Nora Polley.

The Chicago Tribune featured a short interview with Illinois stage manager Helen Lattayk and News-Herald in Michigan featured stage manager Jenn Jacobs and her work on The King and I.

London stage manager Phil Barrett gives excellent advice on The Stage:

“My advice to anyone starting out is if you keep a calm, cool and professional head, you can operate and stage-manage a show of any size even at short notice. Use what you learn, be kind and everything will be fine. ”
— Phil Barrett

Dany Guy wrote an wonderful production manager job description on Whyy.

And, Broadway World posted a video of Pretty Woman stage manager Thomas Recktenwald discussing his work on the production!

In the News - April 2018

Hello and happy end of April!

Here's some news from the past month -

Broadway SM Matthew Stern writes on common stage management misconceptions in Theatre Art Life.

The Stage interviews Royal Ballet stage managers and they highlight some key differences between stage managing ballet and stage managing opera!

Stage-Directions talks about all the bells and whistles that stage managers dealt with before modern technological advances.

And, for your rehearsal room pleasure... now anyone can download sound effect samples from the BBC database!

And, as a reminder,  both the Broadway Stage Management Symposium and Broadway Basics will be held in NYC in early June.

In the News - March 2018

Hope everyone had a good March! Welcome April & SPRING!

There's a new site on the Job Search page - Mandy Theatre Professionals (formerly Stage Jobs Pro)

The Broadway Stage Management Symposium will be in NYC from June 2-3, 2018, featuring an abundance of Broadway stage management speakers.

Stage managers from Wicked on Broadway will be conducting a two-part stage management intensive on June 4-5, 2018 in NYC called Broadway Basics.

Check out the 2018-19 season announcements from across the country at American Theatre

And, finally, Q2Q Comics' "Glitter Removal"

Glitter Removal from Q@Q Comics

In the News - February 2018

Hello and happy February!

Stage Management from the past SEVERAL months is below! (Yes, I've been lax on updates.)

First of all - the 2017 SM Survey Report is available!

The Oscars are implementing 6 new rules to avoid... a mistake... like 2017.

By July 2018, all of Broadway will offer a closed-captioning app for hearing-impaired patrons.

In the aftermath of the Parkland shooting, The Washington Post highlights the benefits of theatre for students.

Bryan Cranston won an award and thanked the stage management team in his acceptance speech! 

“They not only keep the trains running on time, but they do so with such enthusiasm and aplomb that we all look forward to going into work”
— Bryan Cranston

And, best of all - glitter is bad for the environment! Three cheers for quick post-show clean-ups!

Have a good March!

In the News June 2017

This edition of "In the News" is a bit late - but here's a recap of Stage Management related news from June 2017!

This was a busy month for the theatre world! In early June, NYC hosted the Broadway Stage Management Symposium, and shortly thereafter, the 2017 Tony Awards!! In honor of the Tony Awards, NPR wrote an amazing piece on Broadway stage managers called "Stage Managers: You Can't See Them, But Couldn't See a Show Without Them," featuring Cats SM Ira Mont, Sweat SM Donald Fried, and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 SM Karyn Meek.

Controversy arose in mid-June, again in New York City, towards the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of Julius Caesar. Amidst protesters repeatedly storming the stage, the stage manager "handled it beautifully" according to Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, by calling for security then prompting the actors to continue their performance. 

Near the end of the month, Actor's Equity and the League of Resident Theatres reached an agreement & ratified the new LORT contract - stay tuned on how those changes will affect stage managers across the country!

Regional stage managers were applauded in Broadway World's "Thank You, Places" series, honoring SMs from Nashville, Tennessee, Deborah Rodus Arvin and Alexis Lavon, and in Lancaster Online's piece called "What does a Stage Manger Do? Everything!"
 

In the News May 2017 #2

A recent Leaky Cauldron article writes that Sonia Friedman, British producer of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and winner of The Stage Award’s ‘Producer of the Year’ award for the past three consecutive years, began her theatrical career as a stage manager (first hired by Sir Laurence Olivier!) She joins that ranks of seminal theatre professionals that began their careers as stage managers, including Hal Prince and David Belasco.

Broadway World published another article in their “Thank You, Places” series about Tennessee Stage Manager Suzanne Spooner-Fault.

On a more serious note, Art McConnell, stage manager of the Ariana Grande concert that was attacked by a suicide bomber in Manchester on May 22, talks about his experience after the bombing.

 

In the News May 2017

Here's a round-up of some stage management news for May 2017!

Actor’s Equity members vote to make non-performers more “visible and valued.”

Broadway World has been showcasing PSMs (whilst generally explaining stage management) with their “Thank You, Places” series. Read about Tennessee stage managers Cecilia Lighthall and Shannon Spencer

Blogger and stage manager Jess Gow, of the UK theatrical website “The Stage,” writes about giving people second chances.

At an award ceremony in the Philippines, actor and director Baby Borredo recognizes the passion required to work in theatre, saying,

“Theater and passion walk together hand in hand so whether you’re on stage, whether you’re (at the) back stage, whether you’re a stage manager, lighting, there has to be that passion because it is passion that keeps theater alive.”
— Baby Borredo

SM Hack 2: Turn the Page

A quick SM Hack for today -

When working on a script that is still receiving updates/changes from the creative team, print new pages on a different color of pastel printer paper. Monday's new pages can be on pink paper, Tuesday's on green, and so on. This allows for a quick, visual way to ensure everyone is working off the same, updated script. Keep a log of what colors went with what days and, as always, remember to add the date to the bottom of the script!

Always Have a Pen

Be Prepared - it's a song in The Lion King, the motto of the Girl Scouts, a popular safety mantra - and, it's one of the MOST IMPORTANT tenants of stage management!

We all know the benefits of thinking ahead - carefully planning out your routes, expertly packing for any surprise situation, and so on - but oftentimes, time gets in the way. A busy schedule can cause people to forget or forego even the most important necessities (phone, keys, wallet), putting them in a rough spot. That's where you, the awesome stage manager, comes in!

When you're stage managing a show, you'll have your entire kit, so you'll be able to supply most of the room with whatever they need (top requests are usually pencils, band-aids, and Advil).

BUT - when you don't have your kit, you should still strive to carry some basic, small items like a pen, a pencil, a Sharpie, a pack of wet wipes, hand sanitizer, a few travel Advil/Tylenol packets, a safety pin, a couple bobby pins, and phone charger. Then, when someone needs something, whether it be at an interview or during drinks at a bar, you'll be the person to save the day. You'll come across as reliable, forward-thinking, and considerate - all great qualities of someone that gets jobs!

So - go forth - and have a pen!