UC Santa Cruz

According to Daniel A. Ionazzi in his first line in the “Stage Management Handbook,” stage management is “more art than science.” This thesis will present and question this theme in different ways through the perspective of stage managing UC Santa Cruz’s faculty-written, multi-media production of “Birth of Stars.” Utilizing experience from assistant stage managing in many productions as well as experience from interning in Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s inaugural season, I will explain how past production involvement shapes practices and procedures utilized in this production, how personal communication skills are being adapted to the very specific needs of this group, and argue not only theater but stage management are inherently linked to cultural anthropology. This thesis describes the beginning of my journey as a stage manager, going into a technically complex production with no experience in calling a show which further forms this thesis from its unique starting place.