Stage managers are, by definition, multi taskers.  Our beloved SM for Once on This Island, Miranda Hogan, is no exception.  This overachiever not only pulled off a flawless opening night, but she managed to document her backstage experience.  Ever wonder what it means to be a stage manager?  Enjoy our guest blogger’s detailed, illustrated account.

1. 5:05pm- Initial caffeine acquisition.

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2. 5:35pm- Arrive at theater.

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3. 5:39pm- Unlock office.

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4. 5:41pm- Place secret buddy opening night gift

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5. 5:42pm- Turn on fans to cool backstage porch. Ignore likely futility of this

effort.

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6. 5:43pm- Turn on breakers for cellar dressing room.

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7. 5:44pm- Watch Carl unlock cellar dressing room.

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8. 5:46pm- Caffeinate.

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9. 5:48pm- Struggle to open new headset.

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10. 5:52pm- Give up and plug in hot glue gun in order to fix a broken prop.

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11. 5:56pm- Success!

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12. 5:57pm- Caffeinate.

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13. 5:58pm- Put on headset and achieve maximum stage manager style and cool.

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14. 5:59pm- Receive opening night gift and feel heart warm with joy. Thanks

Secret Buddy!

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15. 6:01pm- Dinner!

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16. 6:13pm- Caffeinate.

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17. 6:16pm- Dessert!

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18. 6:19pm- Caffeinate.

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19. 6:24pm-

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20. 6:26pm- Finish caffeine and feel heart sink.

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21. 6:27pm- Receive flower and feel heart warm more. Thanks Jane!

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22. 6:31pm- Walk to grid and ensure cloud lanterns have not caught fire.

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23. 6:34pm- Check actor sign-in sheet. Mentally curse the latecomers.

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24. 6:38pm- Hydrate.

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25. 6:48pm- Receive opening night gift and feel heart warm yet again.

Thanks Robbie!

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26. 6:49pm- Set up boom box for dance warm ups. Feel grateful to not be required to participate in dance warm ups.

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27. 7:03pm- Listen to inspiring words of wisdom from 4CP Board President,

Debbie Owen.

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28. 7:09pm- Maximum heart warming achieved. Thanks Geri!

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29. 7:11pm- Notification received. Thanks Facebook!

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30. 7:31pm- The calm before the storm.

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31. 7:35pm- Caffeinate again! With Christmas Coke!

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32. 7:39pm- Pre-show set-up.

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33. 7:48pm- Blue-light selfie!

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34. 7:52pm- Send blue-light selfie via Snapchat to friends.

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35. 8:00pm- Top of Show!!

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36. 8:12pm- Call cues.

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37. 8:22pm- Open (and close) shutter doors.

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38. 8:26pm- Call more cues. Open and close more shutter doors.

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39. 8:53pm- Intermission.

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40. 8:56pm- Finish caffeine.

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41. 9:02pm- Five minutes to places.

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42. 9:11pm- Act two!

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43. 9:31pm- And then there’s pages like this…

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44. 9:45pm- So proud!!

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45. 10:16pm- Cake!

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46. 10:21pm- CAKE!!

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47. 11:30pm- Good night.

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