Stage Manager — Delegation ContractEasyStagecraft Module 3 · one-page agreement between PM (teacher) and SM (student) · signed at appointment · removes the "wait, who decides?" question from tech week
Why this exists. A Year-12 SM with no written scope ends up either over-stepping (and getting reprimanded for it) or under-acting (and getting blamed for it). Both outcomes destroy a student's confidence. This contract makes both sides' expectations explicit, signed by both, and visible on the production-office wall. Most schools never do this. Daniel has never run a show without it.
"As Production Manager, I trust [SM name] to run the bump-in, tech week, and performance run within the scope below. I will not undercut decisions inside this scope without first speaking to them. They will not step outside this scope without first speaking to me. We will both treat this scope as the answer to the question 'who decides?' — until the contract is updated in writing."
Scope
The SM CAN:
Call "stop the work" at any time for safety. No questions in the moment.
Set + publish the daily call sheet (Tomorrow's Call template).
Allocate crew to tasks within the published bump-in schedule.
Run tech runs · dress · performances using the cue book + run sheet.
Update + maintain the cue book through tech week, with HOD sign-off per dept.
Approve quick-change choreography decisions in consult with cast + dressers.
Run the daily safety brief.
Manage cast + crew during show-day from arrival through bump-down.
Communicate directly with HODs (LX / SND / Set / Costume / FOH).
Sign the SWMS register (when also a competent person for the task).
The SM CANNOT (without PM):
Authorise spending — any. Even A$30 from petty cash routes through PM.
Add or remove a SWMS-classified high-risk task.
Talk to contractors about scope / payment / timing.
Talk to parents (other than logistics: "your kid is at the SR door").
Talk to the principal about anything production-related.
Talk to media / press.
Add / remove a cue from the locked cue book without the LX HOD + director sign-off.
Discipline a cast member beyond a verbal warning (escalate to PM same day).
Send a student home without a parent confirmation + PM informed.
Run a performance with a hazard flagged red that is unresolved.
Escalation paths
Situation
Who SM calls / texts first
If unavailable, then
Safety stop during a show
PM in person · then House Manager to pause house if needed
Deputy PM · then 000 if injury
Cast member missing at call
SMS to cast member + parent · log absence
Director after 15 min · then PM
Crew not turning up
HOD of dept · then PM
—
Director asks for scope change
PM — same day, in writing
—
Parent appears backstage
Polite redirect to FOH · then PM if persistent
—
Equipment failure during show
HOD of dept on cans · PM if not solvable in interval
—
Cast / crew distressed
Director if performance-related · PM if welfare
School wellbeing if after-hours
Wellbeing + workload
SM working hours are capped at the published call sheet. No "stay back to fix it" without PM approval same day.
If SM is sick / unable to attend, they notify PM by 09:00 day-of · Deputy SM (if appointed) covers · PM covers if no deputy.
SM has the right to refuse a task they consider unsafe — they invoke "stop the work" and walk away from it.
Year-12 study load takes precedence over rehearsal in any clash · SM brings the clash to PM, not the director.
End-of-production: SM gets a 1-page reference letter from the PM (on school letterhead, signed) usable for university applications + future stage management roles.
Review
This contract is reviewed at the end of bump-in weekend and again after dress rehearsal. Either party can call a 10-minute review meeting at any point. Adjustments are made in writing (initial + date the change).