by Priscilla

Aug.30, 2011, under Backstage Blog

Book cover is an additional duty to my job as Assistant Stage Manager. It means covering the job usually done by the Deputy Stage Manager. This involves coordinating the many technical aspects of the show, using a copy of the script we call the book. This contains all the lighting, sound, automation and fly cues.

There is a perch to the side of the stage about six feet above the wing. I sit here in front of eight monitors and “call” the show, talking to all the technicians, making sure every lighting change, automation move or fly cue happens in exactly the right place. The monitors show cameras covering all aspects of the stage and backstage area, from stage left, right, above, inside the bus, the Musical Director and finally two cameras from the front of the stage, one is infrared so we can see everything when there is a black out and the other is colour so you can see all the lighting changes. I am half way through learning the show. It’s taken me just over a week to learn Act 1 and slightly into Act 2. I began calling the show this week and I’ve called up to ‘Country Boy Reprise’.

Ben Eddon

My first full time Assistant Stage Manager job was on a play called Betrayal. That was a much simpler show to call than Priscilla. At Betrayal there was only fly and lighting cues to call. This is my first ASM job on a musical. I covered a couple of ASM plots for Priscilla previously when people were on holiday and fortunately they invited me back when a full time, ASM book cover role became available, which is a step up the career ladder for me.

I went to LIPA in Liverpool and studied stage management. You don’t necessarily have to do that, you can learn on the job. The big advantage of studying stage management is that you get used to all the paperwork and the technical terminology, which can be quite daunting on your first job if you are not sure what people are talking about. It also opens you up to contacts in the industry, which definitely helped me to get my first job.

Colour My World is one of my favourite numbers to cue. Downtown is a great opening to the show, but it is quite difficult from a calling point of view, as you have the Diva’s flying down, the revolve moving and there are “clears” to listen out for. Go West was the most challenging for me to learn, as you reveal the bus during this number. Having worked through the number a couple of times I conquered the challenges.

The Priscilla company are great fun to work with. The stage management team are very supportive and work well together as a team to keep the show running smoothly. The cast and all other departments are very friendly which makes it a joy to come into work. Priscilla is camp, extravagant and colourful. It’s a great night out and there is something in it for everyone to enjoy.