My first discussion with the director for "Asleep Under the Dark Earth" was with regards to one scene in particular.

"Here, we are going to have a thingy made, it's going to be used in
different scenes, but in this one, it's got to be sitting just behind the
top table and..

"Terri."

"We'll fit it all on stage 'cos the seating only comes down to here."

"Terri."

"What?"

"Define 'thingy'."

The reason for this discussion taking place was that I'd just started being DSM (deputy stage manger) for "Asleep." and I had some concerns about the amount of space available to conduct a specific scene after talking to my superior (the stage manager).

So what's a deputy stage manager? That's what this article is all about - giving a bit of insight as to what some of the members of the CYT do if they are not an actor. To introduce you into the role of a DSM, think of when you go to the theatre to watch a production. You'll see some people dash on and off stage setting props in-between scenes. The DSM is the person in charge of them. Quite often she/he will also be dashing on and off stage setting the stage with them. The DSM has a few other responsibilities. You make sure everyone is ready backstage to go ON stage at the right time and that everyone has their props - ready and working for them - sitting on the same spot on your props table every night of the show. You arrange such items as
tables and chairs in places that won't get in the way of people waiting
backstage, but can get brought ON stage easily by your stage crew. You are also the evil person who has to keep everyone silent as they wait with nervous trepidation for their cue to enter. You advise the Director in what is possible to arrange on stage, what isn't, and generally have to be a bit of a kiljoy by pointing out the practicalities of realising an elaborate scene consisting of two conference tables, 3 benches, 4 chairs, a 15 piece dinner service AND still leaving a space for that all-important dead body to be brought on halfway through the scene.

I didn't succeed on all of these accounts. You see, this was not my first time as being a DSM, but was most certainly the most stressful.

Previously, when being a DSM, I've had certain luxuries, namely enough stage crew to choke a stable full of horses and enough space backstage to swing an entire litter of cats. The arrangements for "Asleep." were slightly different. I had a tenth less space backstage than I am used to (one third less than was actually required) and a skeleton stage crew, of whom 50% were helping part-time, having being plucked from the cast during their idle time by my not-so-good self. This, coupled with a full sized cast and an extremely set-dependent play, made my stint as DSM slightly hectic.

And when you are placed in that kind of situation it's amazing how forgiving people are towards you when the window you just haphazardly set on stage in a frenzied rush falls to the ground with an almighty bang interrupting the two lead characters' joyous wedding day.

That aside, it all went rather well. Working as a DSM can be really
rewarding. There is a great sense of satisfaction when your crew stalks out on stage during a black out and manages to set every prop spot on before that bald bloke in the front row has time to scratch his arse. At times you feel like the group leader of a team of SAS elites, stealthily venturing on stage in the dark, changing the world (of the play at least) in the presence of nobody apart from an invisible audience, only to sneak back off-stage into your hiding place until the next time you are called into action.

However, by far the best thing about being a DSM is that you get to be a real part of the production. You don't need to be able to act, and you get to be on stage; you don't learn lines, but you get to shape the play as it goes along; you don't have to stand in awe as the hero enters stage left to re-claim his throne when everyone thought him dead, but you get the satisfaction of knowing that he would have been killed if it wasn't for that conveniently placed dagger - which you made sure was conveniently placed.

So there is my introduction to the world of a DSM. I hope you enjoyed your stay and found it interesting. Just remember, if you ever end up being a DSM...make sure you find out what a 'thingy' is.