MTNZ Stage Management Training Course

Ten Topics - Ten Sessions - Ten Months

Facilitated by Steve Lloyd

Overview:

A stage manager plays a crucial role in a theatrical production by acting as the central coordinator, ensuring all aspects of the show run smoothly during rehearsals and performances, including communication between the director, actors, designers, and technical crew; as well as scheduling, calling cues, and overseeing the overall stage management to guarantee a seamless production.

Details:

Sessions will be hosted online - once per month from April 2025 - January 2026.

Registrants receive: the schedule of workshops, a zoom link for the online workshops and a manual/workbook (either in hard copy, or digital format) - as well as digital versions of any discussed MTNZ online guidelines/template policies and recorded copies of the course sessions for reference.

Cost: $80 individual member; $150 non-member

Quotes for funding applications are available - email office@mtnz.co.nz

(Join MTNZ as an individual member for free HERE)

Participants will unpack the following topics:

Session 1: Introduction to Stage Management

Session 2: Communication and Leadership

Session 3: Pre-Production Planning

Session 4: Rehearsal Management

Session 5: Stage Management Paperwork

Session 6: Technical Rehearsals and Cueing

Session 7: Running the Show – Live Performances

Session 8: Health, Safety, and Risk Management

Session 9: Problem-Solving and Crisis Management

Session 10: Wrapping Up a Production and Post-Show
Responsibilities

Find the full course module overview HERE

A bit on the facilitator:

Steve Lloyd has over forty years of musical theatre in his blood starting onstage as part of local gang shows, through to school productions and is now the Production Manager for multiple consortium shows with New Plymouth Operatic Society.

Steve has been involved in over 121 musical theatre productions and has worked with Auckland, Wellington and Taranaki societies in NZ; as well as societies in Sydney and Melbourne.

He has been both onstage and offstage mainly focused on areas of technical design and operation as well as stage management and production management.

More recently Steve has been heavily involved in the development of materials and coaching around Health and Safety with a specific focus around impacts to Volunteer organisations.

Steve has supported the MTNZ executive team with health and safety advice for five years and is always keen to help any musical theatre society who is seeking clarification on legislation and obligations.

Register for the MTNZ Stage Management Course HERE.

Session one	Session two
Self-directed vocal warm ups	Learning repertoire
Pop up choir	Accents - American - New York
Auditions - gaining the edge	Auditions - top tips for movers
Covering Tattoos	Theatre Etiquette - what creative teams want you to know
Building resilience	Nerves - strategies for coping with them
	Mastering a cold read

Stream 2: Leadership – Dive deep into leadership; gaining targeted knowledge in this field.

Session one

Session two

The power of thankyou

Covert Marketing: Making marketing
not feel like marketing....

Engaging your membership

Following the billing instructions
- top mistakes

NZ Audience trends

Holding effective meetings

Compelling grant applications

NZ Musicals - writing shows

Connecting with community

Compelling posters - top tips

Diversifying audition process

Appropriate casting

Stream 3: Tech – Providing innovation and tools, from theory to hands-on application, in the technical/behind scenes aspects of theatre.

Session one

Session two

Tuning your sound system for the room

Considering diversity as technical departments

Lighting design for small stages

Managing 'Tech Rehearsals' efficiently

Network infrastructure

Hazard management backstage

Creating mood with lighting/colours

Troubleshooting/preventing common sound issues

Wireless DMX: benefits and challenges

Choosing the right projector for your venue