The Global Media Site for Entertainment.
Menu
Football season has started and fans everywhere are getting ready for some football! However, some of us spend our Sundays in the theatre. Theatre and football are actually more similar than one may at first think.
Philosophically speaking, the theatre is the most collaborative art form. Every person contributes and has to know exactly what their roles are. When all the parts are clicking everything runs smoothly and the show succeeds.
Similarly in football, unlike other sports, each person on every play has an assignment, a job, a role, and each affects the other. From Lineman to Quarterback, all must work in sync to make each play run properly and help the team succeed.
So theatre, like football, is a truly collaborative process where everyone must work together.
There are more similarities as well:
The Quarterback is like the Director.
He calls blocking schemes and protections and is often referred to as the field general directing the actions on the field.
Offense and Defensive coordinators are like Designers.
They design the “look” of the offense/defense and they are often seen on the side lines holding a “magic sheet” of the plays. We’ve all seen Lighting Designers with their magic sheets at the tech table (which is like when the coordinators are in the booth).
Wide Receivers are often referred to as “Divas” demanding attention.
We’ve all known some of those… but the really good Divas (like the best Wide Receivers) are worth it!
Linemen, like stage hands, do very important work, but no one ever talks about them.
Coaches are responsible for clock management, wears a headset to communicate with the coordinators, and runs rehearsals, uh I mean practices. Sounds kind of like a stage manager to me.
The Tight End… well, let’s just say dancers have football players beat in that category!
And the football team owner is the executive producer, deciding where they want to spend money. The general manager, like the General Manager on Broadway, is the one making personnel decisions and dealing with contracts.
And every position has a back-up, so in case of injury, they can step in and the show can go on.
Finally and in all seriousness, actors really are athletes, performing sometimes strenuous tasks, using their bodies as their instruments, constantly training and maintaining themselves. We even have onsite physical therapy for them at the theatre, like in professional sports.
So, whatever your level of interest in football is, if you think a button hook is used only in a quick change or if you are looking for score and stat updates every time you step offstage, we hope you enjoy all your Sundays. We hope that all your shows are filled with wonderful collaborations that lead to successful productions! And maybe an award or two (Tony or Lombardi).
6 Reasons Stage Managers Don’t Get A Tony Award
Managers: Resolutions For Better Practices
The mission of the Broadway Stage Management Symposium is to create a safe and welcome place for stage managers to connect, share, learn and inspire. Each year, our annual event brings together the most experienced and highly-regarded Stage Management professionals on Broadway for a two-day program that offers practical insights, instruction, and inspiration for anyone interested in stage management. Through a variety of panels, Broadway’s stage managers share their experience, techniques, offer practical career advice, and answer questions. These sessions dive deep into important issues for stage managers of all levels, revealing insights into the why’s and how’s of stage management, that only come with the benefits of decades on Broadway. This unique forum presents opportunities to engage with top professionals as well as network with fellow attendees, exponentially growing professional relationships and opportunities. Past attendees have come from all over the U.S., as well as Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Mexico, and Australia and some alumni have gone on to work on Broadway shows. By sharing their knowledge, Broadway stage managers give a hand up to the next generation, illuminate proven strategies for success, and advance the profession. As the leaders of a company, stage managers’ actions have a significant impact on a show and its participants. The Symposium helps stage managers develop the tools for successful leadership and stewardship. In this way, the Symposium can have a positive impact not only on stage managers’ career, but the industry at large. Please join us for our annual event and the ongoing conversation all year long over our social media platforms (twitter, Instagram, facebook & tumblr) as well as the Symposium blog.
Read Full Profile
© 2021 TheatreArtLife. All rights reserved.
Thank you so much for reading, but you have now reached your free article limit for this month.
Our contributors are currently writing more articles for you to enjoy.
To keep reading, all you have to do is become a subscriber and then you can read unlimited articles anytime.
Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals.
