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SC 4

A storm causes a power outage during a musical at a regional theatre. The stage manager must decide how to proceed given limited resources and safety concerns. They determine the stage is unsafe for performance. Moving to the lobby, they devise an improvised performance using available props, actors to assist with transitions, and audience members' phones for lighting. While the managing director wants the show to go on, the stage manager's priority is safety and stopping the performance if severely injured.

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83 views1 page

SC 4

A storm causes a power outage during a musical at a regional theatre. The stage manager must decide how to proceed given limited resources and safety concerns. They determine the stage is unsafe for performance. Moving to the lobby, they devise an improvised performance using available props, actors to assist with transitions, and audience members' phones for lighting. While the managing director wants the show to go on, the stage manager's priority is safety and stopping the performance if severely injured.

Uploaded by

api-253304659
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SCENARIO #4

It's the final matinee of a major new musical performed in a small regional theatre. Like Welsh weather tends to be,
it has been raining all day and shortly after the show begins, it begins to storm. As you get to the climactic part of
the end of the first Act, lightning strikes the roof of the building and blows out every instrument and light in the
facility. You've got a full house and a cast of 21, many of whom have family and friends in the audience. You have
two ASM?s backstage, four volunteer ushers, the SM, and two follow spot operators.
You grab your flashlight out of your kit, race down the stairs to the lobby passing the tall glass windows that show
still raging weather and bump into the managing director, who tells you that the show must go on. What do you do
next?

YES

Is the stage safe


to perform on with
limited lighting?

Proceed
to look for
alternative ways
to perform

NO

Move
the
performance to
lobby.

Then you
have a space

YES

Is everyone in the
cast/crew/audience safe?

The set is too


large to transport

Take simple pieces


such as table/chairs an
props. Enough to create
the environment.

Is the power still


out?
NO
NO

Use the work


lights/house
lights.

The sound board is


inoperable.
Therefore, no
music/sound cues

YES
Use the lobby lights
and natural lighting
from outside

Find away source of


light. Flashlights/phones,
etc. Your light ops and
ASM's can create proper
lighting.

Full quick
Changes are not
possible in the
open lobby.

Ask the actors to help


out with transitions and
sound cues. You have also
been mimicing cues even
before you had them during
the rehearsal process

NO

A cast
/crew/ audience
member is severely
injured

Lobby is just large


enough to hold the
audience and a few cast
members

If there is a particular
costume that is pertinent to
the performance, have certain
pieces available. If not, have
the actors remain in their
most basic costume

Work the
house as back
stage to the lobby.
Keep the cast there
and create
entrances and exit
paths through the
lobby area.

Halt
the process
and seek help
immediately

Your managing
director becomes
upset with your
decision to stop
the show

You stand by
your decision and
try to arrange an
alternative
performance

1. No matter what
your managing
director instructs,
your main priority is
the SAFETY of
everyone in the
building.
2. Audiences
understand that they
are paying for LIVE
theatre. Often times,
they are excited when
a performance
doesn't go according
to plan.
3. Have your actors
help engage with the
audience to lighten
the mood a bit - as if
can be a very
stressful time for all.
4. Your ushers,
ASM's, and operators
can be used to help
with false lighting,
sound cues, costume
changes, and
containing the
audience.

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