STAGE MANAGEMENT - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of stage management within the UK theatre and global live entertainment industry. Students will study all foundational aspects of stage management practice whilst being encouraged to consider the pivotal role of stage management as creative facilitators within the production process.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

FRANKLIN Jo (GSA)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes the following:

• The production process and stage management role within production


• Script analysis.


• Rehearsal management.


• Performance management.


• The propping process and prop management


• Methods and strategies for effective communication and organisation

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate: effective communication both verbally and in writing, to encourage independent research and wider reading, to demonstrate growing knowledge of both stage management and its place within the wider creative industries and to begin their development as a reflective practitioner.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Coursework: reflective essay (2000 words). Addresses learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4

• Props research task


• A group presentation based on analysis of a given play text and creation of appropriate stage management documentation

• Recorded/written tutor feedback will be given on the props research task


• Verbal tutor feedback will be given immediately following the group presentation


• Summarised feedback from the group presentation will be given in the final session of the module


• Written tutor feedback will be given for the summative assessment

Module aims

• Introduce students to all practical and organisational aspects of stage management
• Enable students to place stage management within the wider context of live production and performance.
• Encourage students to develop skills in teamwork and communication that are central to the theatre production process
• Enable students to develop as reflective practitioners by reviewing practical work in the context of relevant theory.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide a variety of learning and teaching methods which fit with the overall aims & strategy of the programme and are appropriate to the study of professional stage management. There is a balance of individual and group work and of tutor lead and student lead sessions. The strategy should encourage individual learning, questioning, analysis and reflection as well as enabling students to develop skills in research, communication, planning and negotiation.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PRO1042

Other information

Guildford School of Acting trains students, within their chosen fields, to have an understanding and appreciation of Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow Theatre Production students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital capabilities

Students will be expected to use digital methodologies/platforms for project planning, information sharing and creating presentations within the group project. This is a foundation for using these in public productions at Level 5 & 6 and reflects professional practice.

Global and cultural capabilities

Although this module focuses mainly on UK theatre practice, students will be introduced to the key differences in process and terminology for stage management working globally. The reading list includes international texts and resources and play texts for script analysis will be selected to represent global perspectives and traditions.

Employability

The module introduces students to professional practice in stage management and thus increases employability. Transferable skills such as self-motivation, teamwork, communication and organisation are also embedded. Resourcefulness and resilience Through the independent learning aspects of this module, students will be challenged to develop proactivity and self-management and to develop as resourceful and reflective practitioners.

Sustainability

During this module students will be introduced to the concept of sustainability in production within stage management. This will be framed by current industry guidance particularly as it relates to stage management practices such as prop making/sourcing, rehearsal management and performance management. Students will be equipped to apply this learning practically in production projects.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.