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Erin Joy Swank - Stage Manager
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Tag: Helpful Links

Using an Architect’s Scale Ruler

March 16, 2025 cue2go
Using a scale rule to measure points

At the 2025 USITT National Conference, my partner-in-crime Dr. Jennifer Leigh Sears Scheier and I coordinated a hands on lab…

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Filed under: Helpful Links, SM Tips, Taping the Set

Two-Tape Triangulation Tape Out Method – Part One: Measuring the Points

March 2, 2025 cue2go
Two-tape triangulation theory is shown, using a 3-4-5 right triangle on graph paper

For the longest time, if there has been any “industry standard” for stage management (there are far fewer than most…

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Filed under: Dance, Helpful Links, Real Life SM Stories, SM Tips, Taping the Set

Taping Out the Set: How to Decide Orientation in the Rehearsal Hall

September 25, 2024 cue2go
Two theatrical groundplans are shown with a transparent overlay of the rehearsal hall dimensions, giving alternate layouts

On nearly every show, stage managers are asked to tape out the set in the rehearsal hall. Very rare is…

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Filed under: Going as Green as Possible, Helpful Links, Real Life SM Stories, SM Tips, Taping the Set, Technology in Stage Management

Empowering the Room to Take Breaks

August 15, 2024 cue2go
Two laminated tabletop tent signs are shown giving alternate times that breaks can be taken as well as a sign saying less than 10 minutes 'til break

Stage managers are known for being the time keepers of the theatre world. I’m a big believer that it doesn’t…

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Filed under: AEA, Going as Green as Possible, Helpful Links, My Philosophy (or two), Real Life SM Stories, SM Tips, Technology in Stage Management

USITT Exhibit: Stage Management Paperwork Through the Centuries

February 28, 2022 cue2go
A compilation image of several stage management paperwork samples over multiple centuries

It’s finally happening! Dr. Jennifer Leigh Sears Scheier and I (Erin Joy Swank) can finally see our work come to…

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Filed under: Helpful Links, Real Life SM Stories, Stage Management History, Technology in Stage Management

COVID Compliance Training Roundup and other Updates

April 9, 2021 cue2go 2 Comments
Stage Manager Erin Joy Swank wears a mask designed for headset use

We’re starting to slowly come back. There have been several updates in the performance world. Here are some things that…

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Filed under: AEA, AGMA, Care and Feeding of Stage Managers, COVID Return to Work Guidelines, Going as Green as Possible, Helpful Links, SM Tips, Technology in Stage Management, Training/Certifications/Courses

SMInstagram Takeovers

April 1, 2021 cue2go
Erin Joy Swank virtual stage manager

I’ve signed up to do another “SMInstagram” takeover for the Year of the Stage Manager Instagram account. On April 13,…

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Filed under: Adventures with Eeyore, Going as Green as Possible, Helpful Links, Navigating Unemployment, Real Life SM Stories, Shindig - Virtual Platform, SM Tips, Technology in Stage Management, Virtual Events

When2Meet Scheduling Website

January 24, 2021 cue2go 2 Comments
Screenshot of a When2Meet calendar, with varying shades from white for zero availability to darker green as more attendees are available for a given timeslot

I just introduced several stage manager friends to my current favorite website to use when you’re trying to find the…

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Filed under: Helpful Links, Real Life SM Stories, SM Tips, Technology in Stage Management

Second Interview for Western Stage Manager Delegate

September 4, 2020 cue2go
Rebecca Prescott's image as her Inquiring Actor logo

Inquiring Actor, Rebecca Prescott, chatted with me today about my delegate campaign for Western Region Stage Manager Delegate Candidate in…

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Filed under: AEA, COVID Return to Work Guidelines, Helpful Links, Recorded Events

Navigating Unemployment for Theatre Artists: Pandemic Extension Edition

September 2, 2020 cue2go 6 Comments
Screenshot of the home screen for Colorado Unemployment's Online System

This pandemic has brought our industry to a crippling halt. If you’re reading this as someone in the entertainment field,…

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Filed under: AEA, Care and Feeding of Stage Managers, Finances for SMs, Helpful Links, Navigating Unemployment, Real Life SM Stories

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Tagged Topics

Adventures with Eeyore AEA AGMA Assistant Stage Manager Calling Cues Care and Feeding of Stage Managers Cirque COVID Return to Work Guidelines Dance Eeyore and Erin Finances for SMs Going as Green as Possible Helpful Links Musical Theatre My Philosophy (or two) Navigating Unemployment Nutcracker Opera Opera Stage Management 101 Pop Culture References Production Publicity Production Reviews Real Life SM Stories Recorded Events Shindig - Virtual Platform SM Tips Stage Combat Stage Management Books Stage Management History Stage Management Humor Stage Management Paperwork Taping the Set Technology in Stage Management Thoughts on Articles Read Training/Certifications/Courses Virtual Events

Recent Posts

  • Using a scale rule to measure points
    Using an Architect’s Scale RulerMarch 16, 2025
  • Two-tape triangulation theory is shown, using a 3-4-5 right triangle on graph paper
    Two-Tape Triangulation Tape Out Method – Part One: Measuring the PointsMarch 2, 2025
  • White gaff tape is layered around a plastic hotel key for storage. The end of the tape is loose in someone's hand, and a roll of the same gaff sits in the background, all on a green velvet background.
    Portable Gaff Tape HackFebruary 28, 2025
  • A spike stick is pictured, with 19 colors of spike tape rolled around a dowel. The dowel has a hole drilled towards one end, with black tieline laced through and tied in a knot as a loop. Above and to the left is a single roll of yellow spike tape.
    For the Love of Spike SticksOctober 30, 2024
  • Two theatrical groundplans are shown with a transparent overlay of the rehearsal hall dimensions, giving alternate layouts
    Taping Out the Set: How to Decide Orientation in the Rehearsal HallSeptember 25, 2024
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