Book Review: “Stage Managing & Theatre Etiquette” by Linda Apperson
A short but concise book, Linda Apperson’s Stage Managing & Theatre Etiquette, A Basic Guide is an excellent book on the running of the theatre. While this blog isn’t normally geared toward the technical theatre side of things, I thought this was an appropriate book to review, as it is something every actor should know, whether or not you ever actually stage manage yourself. I am a big proponent that every actor should experience life from the technical side of theatre, and vice versa, that every technical crew member should take acting classes and experience theatre from the side of the actor. You never truly appreciate someone else until you understand what it is they truly do. I’ve worked stage crew off and on for a few years now doing set construction and light hangs. I’ve run sounds and lights for a few shows and even stage managed two productions, one of which was a musical. From my experience both on and backstage I can say that I am a far better actor than a technician, but I can also say how much I appreciate everything that the technicians do. Theirs is a job I admire, though not one I envy.
Stage Managing & Theatre Etiquette is one of those books that should become a staple of any actor’s library. Even if you have no intention of ever stage managing, or even if you think you already know the ins and outs of the working stage, read it anyway; it’s short, you’ll like it, and Apperson knows what she’s talking about. Linda Apperson worked as a professional stage manager for twelve years and has had to deal with all of the things the writes about many times over. She’s as good an expert as anyone could hope to find in the field of stage management. In this book she sets out the jobs of the stage manager both before and during rehearsals begin. She details the jobs that you may or may not ever have to do as a stage manager and makes a list of the other technicians and your place within that working system. Also included are samples of all the reports and charts that a stage manager needs. These alone are an invaluable tool for anyone to have, detailing how to make a prompt script, sign in sheet, scene shift plot and many other reports that will make every show run smoothly.
Actor or technician, this is a book you must own and read. I have never found a simpler or more concise model of the working theatre. Apperson hasn’t created a book on the theory or the history of stage management, but a guide book to set up anyone, no matter what your level of technical theatre experience, for success in the theatre.
UPDATE 12/20/06:I got an email today from Linda Apperson herself, saying she appreciated my review of her book . . . woah. A little star-struck? I think so. Where’s one of those googlie-eyed emoticons when I need one? 8-l . . . there it is.
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Just read your posting regarding the book, “Stage Managing and Theatre Etiquette.” Ironically, I just posted a story yesterday on the second half of that title and am curious to know whether the etiquette section is devoted strictly to those in the theatre or extends to the audience as well.
Sadly, no, the books deals with etiquette from the backstage, technical point of view. If you do happen to find a book that discusses audience etiquette I’d love to know about it.
-Daniel
Thanks Daniel! I’ll keep searching!