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We are asking stage managers around the world, in a stage manager tag, some key questions about their job. Starting off with Sophie Mackay from Australia.
1. Are you a minimalist or a hoarder Stage Manager?
Definitely a minimalist Stage Manager and working on incorporating it into everyday life.
2. What do you always have with you on stage?
A torch with loads of safety pins attached.
3. What’s in your kit?
Torch (with safety pins), sailing gloves (great for protecting your hands but are fingerless so you can still tie knots and use your fingers etc.), pencil case, a belt, tape measure, scale ruler, water bottle, mini speaker, iphone/airbuds, ipad, computer, lanyard and a notebook.
4. Mac or PC?
Mac all the way
5. What’s in your pencil case?
1 mechanical pencil, 1 highlighter, 1 15cm metal ruler, 1 red pen, 1 blue/clack pen, 1 eraser, pencil leads and 1 black marker. I use a very small pencil case so I won’t let it get out of control and it clear it out several times a year. The contents of my pencil case hasn’t changed in over ten years.
6. Favourite colour highlighter
Orange – it shows up brilliantly under blue light and in the dark.
7. Favourite pencil
2B – easy to rub out and dark enough to see
8. What may be surprising that you don’t use
A watch – I have been using my phone. The times are changing and it is necessary to have a phone on you at all times in some venues/production companies.
9. Coffee or Tea
Coffee, coffee, coffee
10. Favourite Genre to work in
Opera
BONUS QUESTION
11. Advice for new Stage Managers
Prioritise your health. Keep your body moving. Make time for yourself. Practise kindness.
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Sophie Mackay is a Stage Manager from Sydney, Australia. She recently relocated to be part of the opening team at Dubai Opera in the United Arab Emirates. Before her move, she spent many years in the world of opera predominately with Opera Australia. Her love of theatre began as a child when her parents would play the soundtracks of musicals during the drive from Melbourne to Sydney to keep her occupied. She didn’t know what a Stage Manager was and couldn’t believe it when she found out that you could actually get a job working backstage in a theatre. After receiving a BA (Design for Theatre and Television) from Charles Sturt University, Sophie joined the Staging Department at the Sydney Opera House before moving into the Stage Management department. Since then she has also worked with Pinchgut Opera, Pacific Opera, Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Australia, the Ensemble Theatre, Sydney Festival and now Dubai Opera.
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