How to Put On a Musical
Suggested Performance Task Schedule
by John Kenrick
These times are based on an 8:00 PM curtain. Please adjust accordingly for different starting times.
| TIME | PERSON | TASK |
| 6:00 | Stage Manager & Crews | Open theatre, turn on lights, prep backstage |
| 6:30 | Tech Crews | Check all equipment, connections, etc. |
| Box Office | Opens for Business | |
| House Manager | Checks house for cleanliness & climate | |
| Make-Up Crew | Work on any actors requiring special make-up | |
| Cast | All performers sign in, prep costumes, etc. | |
| 7:00 | Musical Director & Cast | 10-15 min. vocal warm-up |
| House Staff | Arrive & prepare auditorium & lobby | |
| 7:15 | Cast | Final check on costumes, props & makeup |
| 7:30 | Full Company | Onstage for pep talk, notes - 10 minutes maximum |
| 7:40 | House Manager | Open the auditorium to the audience |
| 7:45 | Stage Manager | Announces "15 minutes please" to full company |
| Orchestra | Takes places and tunes-up | |
| 7:55 | Stage Manager | Calls "5 minutes please" to full company |
| 8:00 | Stage & House Manager | Confer to set actual curtain time |
| If there is extreme weather or other problem, this is the time to decide on delaying the curtain -- such a decision should be revisited every 5 minutes. Assuming everything is in order . . . | ||
| 8:05 | Stage Manager | Calls "Places please" |
| Cast & Crew | Take places for start of Act I | |
| 8:05 | Stage & House Manager | Confer to mutually confirm curtain time |
| House Manager | Closes auditorium doors | |
| Stage Manager | Dims house lights, cues musical director | |
| Musical Director | Takes place and begins performance | |
| END OF ACT I - 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION | ||
| Stage Manager | House lights on | |
| House Manager | Open doors | |
| Concessions staff | Sell snacks, beverages, etc. | |
| 10 mins. | Stage Manager | Calls "5 minutes please" to full company |
| House Manager | Blinks lobby lights to encourage audience to head back to their seats | |
| 15 mins. | Stage Manager | Calls "Places please" to full company |
| Cast, orchestra, all crews | Take places for start of Act II | |
| House & Stage Manager | Confirm all ready to start Act II, then lower lights & cue Musical Director | |
| Musical Director | Takes place & starts Act II | |
| AFTER CURTAIN CALLS | ||
| Stage Manager | House lights up | |
| House Manager | Opens doors, sees audience exits safely | |
| Cast & all Crews | Clean up all house & backstage areas, prep for next performance | |
| Director or Stage Manager | Confirms everyone has left & locks up house. | |