Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Beginning Stage Management (Face-to-Face)

THEA 2403-01

Course: THEA 2403-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TA
CRN: 13745

Course Description

This class is designed to teach the fundamentals of Stage Management for both theatrical and “single” events such as dance concerts & music events or convocations. We will cover a large range of topics related to the stage manager’s responsibilities on a production from auditions to strike, while examining how personal style and professionalism play key roles in a stage manager’s development. Students will be exposed to the exciting and engaging aspects of the craft in hopes of inspiring a life-long love and respect for the performing arts, with a desire to learn more.Students will engage in both the creative and administrative work of the field including protocols, forms, and formats used in facilitating communication and logistics.  (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

none

Learning Outcomes

LEARNING OUTCOMES
  • Students will examine and discuss terminology and titled roles in production that help stage managers better anticipate and cater to the needs of differing productions and their participants.
  • Students will be exposed to organizational methods applicable to event planning, managing meetings, and other theatrical endeavors to increase their confidence and productivity. We will also explore how these methods of organization, combined with computer skills, can be helpful to any kind of manager in a variety of situations.
  • Students will dialogue with each other about their management experiences, including artistic ideologies, and their application in real-world production environments.
  • Students will create a solid collection of paperwork and practical skills to gain the tools necessary to engage successfully in a variety of performances and events as a member of the production staff.

Course Requirements

  • Students will be expected to use computer programs to generate paperwork and put together a call book or prompt script, as it is often refereed to. This book shall include a script with calling indications for one chosen section of Jane Wagner’s “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe.”  All assignments should be included in the book, corrected, and divided by subject, with tabs. This book will serve as the student’s final.
  • Students are expected to participate in all class discussions and hands-on activities.
  • All homework documents/assignments are due in class, on their due date, printed as a hard copy. To turn things in you will need to place your assignment in your provided homework folder and turn the folder in at the start of class.  Homework will not be accepted electronically, in email, by QR code, in google docs, or on Canvas.
  • Every document must include your name as created by, printed in the lower right corner of the document. 
  • Each original document shall be noted as version one (V1), next to your name. 
  • All documents must be your own work. 
  • You will need to keep your documents in your call book and revise them for your final project.
  • Once your document is graded, I will handwrite your grade on the back and put it back in your homework folder and return it to you in class.  I will write the corrections necessary directly onto your document. 
  • At this point if you received ten out of ten as your grade you will you do not have to do a revision. Place it in your call book for your final.  Awesome, right?
  • If you earn a 9 or below, you are required to correct it and reprint it as version two (V2) and place it in you call book with your version one. (V1) 
  • Both versions are due in your call book at the time of the final. If you do not have both in your final project, you will get a zero for version two. No Exceptions.

Course Outline

Lectures and Homework

Lecture 1: Class introductions and definition, syllabus and expectations. How do we begin?  
How to ready your call book and your script. Reading the guidelines of your position, how to get your script.
Homework 1: Find, print, hole punch and read your SUU theatre handbook. (10 pts) 
Place your handbook in your call book with your tab dividers and bring to the next class.  You will show it in the next class in a check for your grade.  (10 pts) 

Lecture 2: Call books and book check. Book Requirements. Preparing your script. Meeting with your director and production staff for the first time pre auditions. Getting ready for auditions on paper and in the space.
Homework 2: Due Tuesday Jan 16! Complete commenced attendance on Canvas. Print and turn in confirmation. (10 pts)
Show your supplies in the next class in a check for your grade. (Ruler, tape measure, tape, timing method) (10 pts)
Make an audition posting, an audition form and create a cast list. (30 pts, 10 pts each) 

From this point on you will turn in all assignments separate from your notebook, in your class folder.
It is your responsibility to keep your old versions for submission as part of the final.

Lecture 3: Managing your cast at the first rehearsal, teaching them the way. Using a call board. Kits. Talk about homework forms. 
Homework 3: Create an emergency contact form and a contact sheet. (20 pts, 10 pts each)

Lecture 4: Managing your production staff, calling a running a production meeting. Making and using a production meeting report.
Homework 4:  Create a production meeting report form. (10 pts)

Lecture 5:  Calendaring, all kinds.
Homework 5: Create a production calendar and a conflicts form. (20 pts, 10 pts each)

Lecture 6: Measuring the ground plan.
Homework 6: Measure your ground plan and mark it for taping. (10 pts)

Lecture 7: In-class graded activities: Taping out, then play reading.
Homework 7: During class we are taping out of the ground plan and reading of the play. (20 pts)

Lecture 8: Play reading continued…Organization and lists. Reading and processing the play.
Homework 8: Create the following:
Scene Breakdown (10 pts)
Scene Shift plot (10 pts)
 
Lecture 9: Props and Costumes
Homework 9: Create the following:
Prop plot (10 pts)
Costume plot (10 pts)

Lecture 10:  In Rehearsal Part 1, Active listening and recording information.
Homework 10: Create the following:
Rehearsal Posting (10 pts)
Conflicts form (10 pts)
Rehearsal Report form (blank) (10 pts)
Line Note form (blank) (10 pts)
Fitting Reminder (blank) (10 pts)

Lecture 11: In Rehearsal Part 2, Blocking, pre cueing, script additions. 
Homework 11: Create the following:
Light and Sound cue sheets* Due on lecture day 13.

Lecture 12: In-class graded activity: Blocking Day 
Homework 12:  During class: Take clean blocking for the day’s pages. (20 pts)

Lecture 13: In-class graded activity: Blocking Day 
Also: Turn in the following:
Lighting cue sheets (10 pts)
Sound cue sheets (10 pts)

Homework 13:  During class: Take clean blocking for the day’s pages. (20 pts)
Turn in the following:
Lighting cue sheets (10 pts)
Sound cue Sheets 

Lecture 14:  Tech prep pt. 1: Meetings and tech schedule, Crew members and assignments
Crew View and training. Why we tech in an order and meet frequently.
Types of techs to include:
Cue Building
Final load in
Dry Tech and dry q2q
Wet tech and wet q2q
Costume Parade
Q2Q
Tech Rehearsal
Full Run
Homework 14:  Create the following:
One “week of” tech schedule
One “day of” tech schedule (20 pts, 10 pts each) 

Lecture 15: Tech stage prep and tech table prep. 
Homework 15: Create the following:
Tech Table Checklist (10 pts)
Tech Checklist (10 pts)

 Lecture 16: In-class Paper Tech
Homework 16: During class: Paper Tech (20 pts for day 1)

Lecture 17: In-class Paper Tech 
Homework 17: During class: Paper Tech cont. (20 pts for day 2)

Lecture 18: Load in, Stop and start, God mic, headset etiquette.
Homework 18: Calling activity pre-planning (10 pts)

Lecture 19: OPEN
Homework 19: OPEN

Lecture 20: In- class calling activity. (10 pts) 
Homework 20:  You will each call your piece during class and turn in your cues (10 pts paper)

Lecture 21:  PR Photo call. Dress rehearsal. Preview / house crew view opening.
Homework 21: Create the following:
PR Photo Call Sheet (10 pts)

Lecture 22: Running, Show maintenance. Pre show post show checklists. Pick ups
Homework 22: Create the following:
Show Report Blank (10 pts)
Pre show Check list (10 pts)
Post show Check list (10 pts)

Lecture 23: Photo calls, Strike and the prep and posting for both.
Homework 23: Create the following:
Photo call Posting (10 pts)
Photo call shot list (10 pts)
Strike posting with assignments (10 pts)

Lecture 24: The stage as a human and the need for self-care.
Homework 24: Create the following:
Class show report, individually done. (10 pts)

Lecture 25: The stage manager as an artist.
Homework 25: Written Artist Statement (10 pts)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  • Students will be expected to use computer programs to generate paperwork and put together a call book or prompt script, as it is often refereed to. This book shall include a script with calling indications for one chosen section of Jane Wagner’s “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe.”  All assignments should be included in the book, corrected, and divided by subject, with tabs. This book will serve as the student’s final.
  • Students are expected to participate in all class discussions and hands-on activities.
  • All homework documents/assignments are due in class, on their due date, printed as a hard copy. To turn things in you will need to place your assignment in your provided homework folder and turn the folder in at the start of class.  Homework will not be accepted electronically, in email, by QR code, in google docs, or on Canvas.
  • Every document must include your name as created by, printed in the lower right corner of the document. 
  • Each original document shall be noted as version one (V1), next to your name. 
  • All documents must be your own work. 
  • You will need to keep your documents in your call book and revise them for your final project.
  • Once your document is graded, I will handwrite your grade on the back and put it back in your homework folder and return it to you in class.  I will write the corrections necessary directly onto your document. 
  • At this point if you received ten out of ten as your grade you will you do not have to do a revision. Place it in your call book for your final.  Awesome, right?
  • If you earn a 9 or below, you are required to correct it and reprint it as version two (V2) and place it in you call book with your version one. (V1) 
  • Both versions are due in your call book at the time of the final. If you do not have both in your final project, you will get a zero for version two. No Exceptions.

Attendance Policy

ATTENDENCE & PARTICIPATION:  
Students are expected be on time, have the proper tools for note taking, and actively participate in class discussions. All classroom discussions will remain respectful and confidential, as many topics may be sensitive to current productions and/or persons involved. Students will be expected to contribute to class and participate in all lectures, discussions, and exercises in a professional manner.  

Course Fees

There are no fees directly, however, there is a list of required materials for successful learning. 
Supplies Include:  2-3” binder with tab dividers, architect’s scale ruler, 25’ tape measure or longer, single role of bright colored painter’s tape.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.