Grade 9 · Theatre

Recognize the roles of theatre management such as house management and stage management

Quarter 4 · Week 2 · TEKS

Standards Alignment

TEKS.117.323.03E primary
recognize the roles of theatre management such as house management and stage management.

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Lesson Overview

This Grade 9 Technical Theatre lesson introduces students to the key roles in theatre management, focusing on house management and stage management. Students will learn to identify and describe the responsibilities of each role and understand how these roles contribute to the success of a theatre production. The lesson includes direct instruction, role-play activities, and reflection to deepen understanding, aligned with TEKS.117.323.03E.

Learning Objectives

Identify and describe the responsibilities of house management in theatre production.
Identify and describe the responsibilities of stage management in theatre production.
Explain how house management and stage management contribute to the overall success of a theatre production.

Success Criteria

Students can accurately list the duties of house management and stage management.
Students can explain the importance of each management role in supporting a theatre production.
Students participate in role-play or discussion demonstrating understanding of theatre management roles.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Basic understanding of theatre production elements and terminology is helpful but not required. Students should be familiar with general theatre vocabulary and the concept of a theatre production.

Key Vocabulary

House Management
Stage Management
Audience
Backstage
Production Schedule
Safety
Communication
Cue
Technical Crew

Materials and Resources

Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
Printed role descriptions for house management and stage management
Scenario cards for role-play activities
Notebook or paper for student reflections

Teacher Preparation

Prepare clear, concise descriptions of house management and stage management roles.
Create scenario cards illustrating typical situations for house and stage managers.
Arrange the classroom to allow space for role-play activities.
Prepare guiding questions to facilitate discussion and reflection.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Introduction to Theatre Management Roles

Theatre management involves various roles that ensure a production runs smoothly. Two key roles are house management and stage management. House management focuses on the audience's experience, including seating, safety, and front-of-house operations. Stage management oversees the backstage area, coordinating technical elements, cues, and communication between departments during rehearsals and performances.

House Management Responsibilities

House managers are responsible for welcoming the audience, managing ticketing and seating, ensuring safety protocols are followed, and handling any audience issues during a performance. They coordinate ushers and front-of-house staff and communicate with stage management about audience needs or emergencies.

Stage Management Responsibilities

Stage managers organize rehearsals, maintain the production schedule, call cues for lighting, sound, and scene changes, and act as the communication hub between directors, actors, and technical crews. They ensure that performances run on time and that all technical elements are coordinated effectively.

Relationship Between House and Stage Management

While house management focuses on the audience and front-of-house operations, stage management handles backstage coordination. Both roles require strong communication and teamwork to address issues quickly and maintain a safe, enjoyable experience for performers and audience members alike.

Common Misconceptions

A common misconception is that house management and stage management are the same or interchangeable. In reality, they have distinct responsibilities and areas of focus. Another misconception is that these roles are only about managing people; however, they also involve planning, problem-solving, and safety management.

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

Scenario

Explain the role of a house manager when an audience member becomes disruptive during a performance.

Explanation

The house manager is responsible for maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all audience members. They would coordinate with ushers to address the disruptive behavior calmly and, if necessary, escort the individual out of the theatre to minimize disturbance.

Answer Guide

A house manager handles audience disruptions by working with ushers to calm or remove the disruptive person, ensuring safety and enjoyment for everyone.

Worked Example 2

Scenario

Describe how a stage manager coordinates a scene change during a live performance.

Explanation

The stage manager calls the cues for lighting, sound, and set changes at the correct times. They communicate with the technical crew and actors to ensure the scene change happens smoothly and on schedule, keeping the performance running without interruptions.

Answer Guide

A stage manager calls cues and communicates with crew and actors to coordinate scene changes smoothly and on time during a performance.

Engage

Teacher Activity

Begin by asking students if they have ever attended a live theatre performance and what they noticed about how the event was organized. Introduce the idea that behind every successful show are important management roles.

Student Activity

Students share their experiences attending theatre performances and discuss what they think happens behind the scenes to make the show run smoothly.

Explanation

This activity activates prior knowledge and sets the context for learning about theatre management roles.

Examples

Students mention ushers, ticketing, or backstage activity.
Students recognize the need for organization and safety.
Students show curiosity about backstage operations.

Explore

Teacher Activity

Present descriptions of house management and stage management roles. Divide students into pairs and assign each pair a role to explore. Provide scenario cards with typical situations they might face.

Student Activity

In pairs, students read their assigned role description and discuss how they would handle the scenarios provided. They prepare to share their ideas with the class.

Explanation

This hands-on exploration helps students understand the specific duties and challenges of each management role.

Examples

Students identify key responsibilities like seating or cue calling.
Students propose solutions to scenarios such as an upset audience member or a missed cue.
Students recognize communication and organization as vital skills.

Explain

Teacher Activity

Lead a class discussion comparing house management and stage management roles. Use a Venn diagram on the board to highlight similarities and differences.

Student Activity

Students contribute ideas to the Venn diagram and take notes on the distinct and shared responsibilities of each role.

Explanation

This phase clarifies understanding by organizing information visually and encouraging student participation.

Examples

Students list audience-related tasks under house management.
Students list backstage coordination tasks under stage management.
Students identify communication as a shared responsibility.

Elaborate

Teacher Activity

Organize a role-play activity where students act as house managers and stage managers handling a live performance situation, such as an emergency or technical difficulty.

Student Activity

Students perform role-plays demonstrating how house and stage managers respond to challenges during a production.

Explanation

Role-play allows students to apply their knowledge in realistic contexts, reinforcing understanding and skills.

Examples

Students use appropriate terminology and procedures.
Students demonstrate teamwork and problem-solving.
Students show awareness of safety and audience needs.

Evaluate

Teacher Activity

Ask students to write a short explanation or present orally the roles of house management and stage management and why they are important.

Student Activity

Students complete an exit ticket or brief presentation demonstrating their understanding of theatre management roles.

Explanation

This assessment confirms students can recognize and explain the key theatre management roles as required by TEKS.117.323.03E.

Examples

Students accurately describe responsibilities of each role.
Students explain the importance of coordination and safety.
Students use theatre management vocabulary correctly.

Classroom Activity

In pairs, students read their assigned role description and discuss how they would handle the scenarios provided. They prepare to share their ideas with the class.

Guided Practice

Guided Practice 1

Prompt

What is one main responsibility of a house manager?

Teacher Answer Guide

Managing the audience's seating and safety during a performance.

Guided Practice 2

Prompt

Name two tasks that a stage manager performs during a theatre production.

Teacher Answer Guide

Organizing rehearsals and calling technical cues during performances.

Guided Practice 3

Prompt

If an emergency occurs in the audience area during a show, who is responsible for handling it and what should they do?

Teacher Answer Guide

The house manager is responsible; they should coordinate evacuation or safety procedures and communicate with stage management and emergency personnel.

Guided Practice 4

Prompt

Compare and contrast the roles of house management and stage management in terms of their focus and responsibilities.

Teacher Answer Guide

House management focuses on the audience experience, including seating, safety, and front-of-house operations, while stage management focuses on backstage coordination, technical cues, and communication among the production team. Both require communication and organizational skills but operate in different areas of the theatre.

Guided Practice 5

Prompt

Explain how effective communication between house management and stage management can impact the success of a live theatre performance.

Teacher Answer Guide

Effective communication ensures that audience needs and safety issues are promptly addressed and that backstage operations run smoothly. This coordination helps prevent disruptions, manage emergencies efficiently, and maintain the overall flow and professionalism of the performance, contributing to a positive experience for both audience and performers.

Independent Practice

Foundational: What is one main responsibility of a house manager?
Developing: Name two tasks that a stage manager performs during a theatre production.
Application: If an emergency occurs in the audience area during a show, who is responsible for handling it and what should they do?
Analysis: Compare and contrast the roles of house management and stage management in terms of their focus and responsibilities.
Challenge: Explain how effective communication between house management and stage management can impact the success of a live theatre performance.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. Managing the audience's seating and safety during a performance.
2. Organizing rehearsals and calling technical cues during performances.
3. The house manager is responsible; they should coordinate evacuation or safety procedures and communicate with stage management and emergency personnel.
4. House management focuses on the audience experience, including seating, safety, and front-of-house operations, while stage management focuses on backstage coordination, technical cues, and communication among the production team. Both require communication and organizational skills but operate in different areas of the theatre.
5. Effective communication ensures that audience needs and safety issues are promptly addressed and that backstage operations run smoothly. This coordination helps prevent disruptions, manage emergencies efficiently, and maintain the overall flow and professionalism of the performance, contributing to a positive experience for both audience and performers.

Guiding Questions

What are the main responsibilities of house management?
How does stage management support a production?
Why is communication important in theatre management?
How do house and stage management roles differ and overlap?
What skills are necessary for effective theatre management?

Common Misconceptions

House management and stage management are the same role.
The roles only involve managing people, not planning or safety.
Stage management only works during rehearsals, not performances.

Differentiation

Support and Intervention

Provide role descriptions with simple language and visuals. Use guided questions during role-play to support understanding.

English-Language Learner Support

Use clear, concise language and define key vocabulary. Provide bilingual glossaries or visuals for theatre terms.

Advanced and Extension

Encourage students to research additional theatre management roles. Have students create a detailed production plan including management roles.

Assessment

Observe student participation in discussions and role-plays.
Review student notes on the Venn diagram activity.
Write a short explanation of the difference between house management and stage management.
List three responsibilities of a stage manager.
Create a poster illustrating the roles and responsibilities of theatre management.
Write a reflective essay on the importance of theatre management in live productions.

Answer Guide

What is one main responsibility of a house manager?
Answer: Managing the audience's seating and safety during a performance.
Name two tasks that a stage manager performs during a theatre production.
Answer: Organizing rehearsals and calling technical cues during performances.
If an emergency occurs in the audience area during a show, who is responsible for handling it and what should they do?
Answer: The house manager is responsible; they should coordinate evacuation or safety procedures and communicate with stage management and emergency personnel.
Compare and contrast the roles of house management and stage management in terms of their focus and responsibilities.
Answer: House management focuses on the audience experience, including seating, safety, and front-of-house operations, while stage management focuses on backstage coordination, technical cues, and communication among the production team. Both require communication and organizational skills but operate in different areas of the theatre.
Explain how effective communication between house management and stage management can impact the success of a live theatre performance.
Answer: Effective communication ensures that audience needs and safety issues are promptly addressed and that backstage operations run smoothly. This coordination helps prevent disruptions, manage emergencies efficiently, and maintain the overall flow and professionalism of the performance, contributing to a positive experience for both audience and performers.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to attend a local theatre performance with family and observe the roles of house and stage management during the event. They can share their observations in the next class.

Homework or Home Connection

Encourage students to attend a local theatre performance with family and observe the roles of house and stage management during the event. They can share their observations in the next class.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, students learned to recognize and describe the distinct roles of house management and stage management in theatre production. They explored the responsibilities of each role, practiced applying their knowledge through role-play, and reflected on how these management positions contribute to the smooth operation and success of live theatre performances. Understanding these roles helps students appreciate the teamwork and organization behind every production.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.