Assessor Resource

CUASMT603
Stage manage technical and dress rehearsals

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage a wide range of administrative and organisational tasks associated with running technical and dress rehearsals for productions in the screen, media, entertainment and events industries.

At this level, individuals are expected to apply a detailed knowledge of both creative and technical aspects of live productions or events. They exercise autonomy and judgement in contexts that are subject to change and are responsible for coordinating and supervising the work of others.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance Criteria

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for technical rehearsals

1.1 Undertake hazard inspection of stage and backstage and assign crew to fix problems prior to start of rehearsals

1.2 Give safety briefing and stage orientation to cast and crew prior to start of rehearsals, note issues raised by cast, and take follow-up action as required

1.3 Implement hazard management plans and run safety rehearsals of potentially hazardous performance sequences out of context, prior to first technical rehearsal

1.4 Check venue and cueing equipment to ensure readiness prior to start of rehearsals

1.5 Ensure cueing documentation is appropriately notated following plotting sessions

1.6 Brief assistant stage manager on technical rehearsal process and liaise with heads of technical departments regarding unfinished work

1.7 Brief director and technical designers on unfinished work prior to start of technical rehearsals

2. Run technical rehearsals

2.1 Call cues and cue sequences as plotted

2.2 Make judgements about when to start, stop or cut forward

2.3 Take direction on adjustments to cueing from director and technical designers

2.4 Incorporate changes into calling notation, advise crew of changes and repeat calling sequences until satisfactory results are achieved

2.5 Take appropriate action to deal effectively with unforeseen occurrences

2.6 Ensure that cast and staging crew are advised of cueing and related adjustments to blocking

2.7 Monitor rehearsal schedule and make adjustments as required

2.8 Contribute to creative discussions and assist with problem solving during technical rehearsals

2.9 Maintain a safe working environment at all times

3. Manage technical work periods

3.1 Provide notes to cast and crew following rehearsals

3.2 Action own notes before subsequent rehearsals

3.3 Incorporate new information into procedures immediately and notate appropriately in prompt copy cueing documentation

3.4 Ensure crew members keep information on running and setting up-to-date

3.5 Micro-manage schedule details between rehearsals to ensure best use of available time and timely completion of unfinished work and changes resulting from notes

4. Run dress rehearsals and prepare for public performances

4.1 Liaise with heads of technical departments regarding work progress and ensure all production elements are ready prior to dress rehearsals

4.2 Run potentially hazardous sequences as part of performers’ warm-up

4.3 Call and time dress rehearsals

4.4 Communicate with cast and crew in an open manner

4.5 Make adjustments to calling documentation taken from director’s notes after dress rehearsals

4.6 Call and run scene rehearsals out of context for difficult or imperfect sequences

4.7 Write reports for each dress rehearsal and distribute technical notes after dress rehearsals as required

4.8 Liaise with front of house manager prior to first performance to ensure that necessary arrangements are in place

4.9 Check that audience advisory signage has been posted if required

Evidence of the ability to:

in rehearsals, manage the integration of technical and creative components of at least two productions

prepare and update stage management documentation

apply knowledge of technical, staging and artistic aspects of productions to the stage management process

meet work deadlines

work collaboratively

delegate tasks to team members.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided for each of the above points at least once.

To complete the unit requirements the individual must:

explain the purpose of a range of documentation used for stage managing technical and dress rehearsals

explain key factors involved in the successful stage management of technical and dress rehearsals

describe issues and challenges that can arise when stage managing technical and dress rehearsals, along with solutions to address them

explain health and safety legislation and regulations that apply to maintaining a safe working environment during rehearsals.

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to rehearsal rooms and venues with stage and backstage areas.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance Criteria

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for technical rehearsals

1.1 Undertake hazard inspection of stage and backstage and assign crew to fix problems prior to start of rehearsals

1.2 Give safety briefing and stage orientation to cast and crew prior to start of rehearsals, note issues raised by cast, and take follow-up action as required

1.3 Implement hazard management plans and run safety rehearsals of potentially hazardous performance sequences out of context, prior to first technical rehearsal

1.4 Check venue and cueing equipment to ensure readiness prior to start of rehearsals

1.5 Ensure cueing documentation is appropriately notated following plotting sessions

1.6 Brief assistant stage manager on technical rehearsal process and liaise with heads of technical departments regarding unfinished work

1.7 Brief director and technical designers on unfinished work prior to start of technical rehearsals

2. Run technical rehearsals

2.1 Call cues and cue sequences as plotted

2.2 Make judgements about when to start, stop or cut forward

2.3 Take direction on adjustments to cueing from director and technical designers

2.4 Incorporate changes into calling notation, advise crew of changes and repeat calling sequences until satisfactory results are achieved

2.5 Take appropriate action to deal effectively with unforeseen occurrences

2.6 Ensure that cast and staging crew are advised of cueing and related adjustments to blocking

2.7 Monitor rehearsal schedule and make adjustments as required

2.8 Contribute to creative discussions and assist with problem solving during technical rehearsals

2.9 Maintain a safe working environment at all times

3. Manage technical work periods

3.1 Provide notes to cast and crew following rehearsals

3.2 Action own notes before subsequent rehearsals

3.3 Incorporate new information into procedures immediately and notate appropriately in prompt copy cueing documentation

3.4 Ensure crew members keep information on running and setting up-to-date

3.5 Micro-manage schedule details between rehearsals to ensure best use of available time and timely completion of unfinished work and changes resulting from notes

4. Run dress rehearsals and prepare for public performances

4.1 Liaise with heads of technical departments regarding work progress and ensure all production elements are ready prior to dress rehearsals

4.2 Run potentially hazardous sequences as part of performers’ warm-up

4.3 Call and time dress rehearsals

4.4 Communicate with cast and crew in an open manner

4.5 Make adjustments to calling documentation taken from director’s notes after dress rehearsals

4.6 Call and run scene rehearsals out of context for difficult or imperfect sequences

4.7 Write reports for each dress rehearsal and distribute technical notes after dress rehearsals as required

4.8 Liaise with front of house manager prior to first performance to ensure that necessary arrangements are in place

4.9 Check that audience advisory signage has been posted if required

Evidence of the ability to:

in rehearsals, manage the integration of technical and creative components of at least two productions

prepare and update stage management documentation

apply knowledge of technical, staging and artistic aspects of productions to the stage management process

meet work deadlines

work collaboratively

delegate tasks to team members.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided for each of the above points at least once.

To complete the unit requirements the individual must:

explain the purpose of a range of documentation used for stage managing technical and dress rehearsals

explain key factors involved in the successful stage management of technical and dress rehearsals

describe issues and challenges that can arise when stage managing technical and dress rehearsals, along with solutions to address them

explain health and safety legislation and regulations that apply to maintaining a safe working environment during rehearsals.

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to rehearsal rooms and venues with stage and backstage areas.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Undertake hazard inspection of stage and backstage and assign crew to fix problems prior to start of rehearsals 
Give safety briefing and stage orientation to cast and crew prior to start of rehearsals, note issues raised by cast, and take follow-up action as required 
Implement hazard management plans and run safety rehearsals of potentially hazardous performance sequences out of context, prior to first technical rehearsal 
Check venue and cueing equipment to ensure readiness prior to start of rehearsals 
Ensure cueing documentation is appropriately notated following plotting sessions 
Brief assistant stage manager on technical rehearsal process and liaise with heads of technical departments regarding unfinished work 
Brief director and technical designers on unfinished work prior to start of technical rehearsals 
Call cues and cue sequences as plotted 
Make judgements about when to start, stop or cut forward 
Take direction on adjustments to cueing from director and technical designers 
Incorporate changes into calling notation, advise crew of changes and repeat calling sequences until satisfactory results are achieved 
Take appropriate action to deal effectively with unforeseen occurrences 
Ensure that cast and staging crew are advised of cueing and related adjustments to blocking 
Monitor rehearsal schedule and make adjustments as required 
Contribute to creative discussions and assist with problem solving during technical rehearsals 
Maintain a safe working environment at all times 
Provide notes to cast and crew following rehearsals 
Action own notes before subsequent rehearsals 
Incorporate new information into procedures immediately and notate appropriately in prompt copy cueing documentation 
Ensure crew members keep information on running and setting up-to-date 
Micro-manage schedule details between rehearsals to ensure best use of available time and timely completion of unfinished work and changes resulting from notes 
Liaise with heads of technical departments regarding work progress and ensure all production elements are ready prior to dress rehearsals 
Run potentially hazardous sequences as part of performers’ warm-up 
Call and time dress rehearsals 
Communicate with cast and crew in an open manner 
Make adjustments to calling documentation taken from director’s notes after dress rehearsals 
Call and run scene rehearsals out of context for difficult or imperfect sequences 
Write reports for each dress rehearsal and distribute technical notes after dress rehearsals as required 
Liaise with front of house manager prior to first performance to ensure that necessary arrangements are in place 
Check that audience advisory signage has been posted if required 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUASMT603 - Stage manage technical and dress rehearsals
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

CUASMT603 - Stage manage technical and dress rehearsals

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: