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It’s time for the Tony Awards of Football, the Super Bowl!!
Fans of every kind will all tune in to watch the spectacular drama unfold. Because that is what it is, a drama. Like any audience, those fans watch the action unfold enticed with each moment. It’s a real live drama. Although a play is rehearsed in advance, it still exists in the moment, live, and anything can happen. Sports and theatre are both engaging live experiences that thrill and excite their audiences to stand and cheer.
Every spectacular throw, catch, or run you’ve seen is only possible because of teamwork. The offensive lineman makes a block to give the quarterback time to read the defense, he then has to make the perfect throw, rehearsed hundreds of times, to the wide receiver who has to run the route exactly as designed to make the catch.
In the theatre, the crew has to build and install the sets, lights & sound. The prop has to be set properly and, the light cue needs to be executed at the right time, the band and music director need to play the right notes and the actor needs to be in the right place to hit the perfect note! Then it all works!
Here is a comparison on theatre & football to enjoy and discuss between plays or bites of chili!
The linemen, offense and defense are like the crew. Valuable stage hands who are mostly unknown, but do a lion’s share of the work to ensure the “star” players shine. Without the powerful linemen holding the line, protecting their teammates, there is no show and no play will work. It all starts, “in the trenches.”
The quarterback is the star of the show. They are beloved, the face of the franchise and the show rests on their shoulders to deliver every night (or game). They get the accolades, the big checks, and are the names everyone knows. Sometimes referred to as the coach on the field. They are the ones on the stage that everyone looks up to.
At the next level are the wide receivers and running backs. Very popular, they are the ones that move the ball, names we know and players we root for. These are your principal actors. While maybe not the stars of the show, they are the ones the drama revolves around. How they play is key in the outcome of the show.
They are crucial in supporting and delivering for the “skill” players. Defensive backs, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties all try to give the ball back to their offense with good field position, so that skill players can score. Ensemble members are not household names, but they can occasionally stand out. Like the mistress in Evita, the defense can occasionally score and have a dramatic effect on the play/show, but mostly, they are supportive, giving their offense a rest, keeping the game close, so their principals can get back out in front.
Off the field, we have both offensive and defensive coordinators. As the principals are the skill players, the Offensive Coordinator is the director, drawing up the plays and creating ways for them to shine and put points on the board. QB, WR, RB all spend lots of time working with the offensive coordinator rehearsing the plays, so they can succeed.
As ensemble are the defensive backs, the choreographer is the Defensive Coordinator, designing their formations and assignments. They come up with creative ways to get the ball back to the stars, just like all the men backing up Roxie in Chicago!
Most obvious are the similarities between the team owner and the show producer. Both come up with the money and make the really big decisions, like the costs of tickets! Both football and theatre also have general managers who are responsible for budgets and contract negotiations.
Who is the one who coordinates all the position coaches, all the departments? Who makes the day to day personnel decisions? Who makes the rehearsal schedule and gives notes to keep everyone playing at the top of their game? Who calls the shots when the game is on?
The stage manager!!
On this Super Bowl Sunday, I celebrate the collaboration that makes theatre and football happen on Broadway theatres and in Football stadiums and the stage managers coaching everyone up!
Enjoy the game!!
Top 10 Broadway Stage Management Symposium Panels
The Misconceptions & Myths of Stage Management
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.
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