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Marking out the stage

Many plays are rehearsed in a different venue to where they are eventually performed so it is very important for the stage area to be ‘marked out’ for rehearsals. The stage manager (SM) or deputy stage manager (DSM) is responsible for marking out the stage during rehearsals. Prior to the start of the first rehearsal the SM uses ‘mark up’ tape to mark out the boundaries of the stage area and where each set element will be placed. The SM will use the scale floor plan provided by the Set Designer to accurately mark out where each set piece will be located. During later rehearsals, performer positions will also be marked out and this is particularly important if the play will be held in a theatre which has traps, revolves and lifts.

When the play rehearsals move to the performance venue, the floor is marked out again to enable the set builders to know where to place set elements and scenery.

A good tape for marking up is electrical insulation tape as it is available in different colours. This is preferred to paper (masking) tape or ‘Gaff’ tape as paper tape decomposes and is hard to remove, and Gaff tape can leave substantial amounts of adhesive behind.

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