Our Town

[surething92]

I was just cast as the Stage Manager in Our Town. This is an absolute dream role for me, but I'm also finding myself a little lost when it comes to the portrayal of the character. Any thoughts/advice?

[WOSQ]

The Stage Manager is often, but not always, played as and by a mature man, say 50-60-70+.

The beauty part of the role though, is that it is not written for any specific type. It isn't even specified as a man and has been played by women from time to time.

You can be a young actor playing a wise older man for instance and use both ages. You can make the Stage Manager ageless and just play it.

Is he kind? Is he cranky, but has to play kind in some scenes--the soda fountain for instance? Does he know the whole arc of the play before it even starts, before he says a word? Has he seen this all before? These are things that you and the director get to decide during rehearsal. A lot of this is for you to know, but the other actors don't have to know.

Find some aspect of yourself and ease into the role. Use rehearsals to find your vision of the character. Ask your director for some ways in. There are many ways to get inside this role. That's what they are there for. Make the director work as hard as you.

[Theatrepalooza]

I see the Stage Manager as very much a story-teller. He is telling, almost re-telling, the story of the events that take place in the town. I do not feel he has prior knowledge of the unfolding events. Part of the joy of the part is how he reacts and changes in response to that which unfolds before him. Just one actor's opinion!