Unit 11 - Dissertation

The role of women in stage management

The role of women in stage management has changed over the years. I have done research and looked at statistics to back up my points of view.

Firstly, one of the first recognised stage managers is Phyllis Seaton, "Seaton was named stage manager for Raymond Massey's Broadway version of Hamlet" - http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1987-09-29/news/0150120175_1_song-of-bernadette-seaton-mayor-of-beverly . Despite this there are more women who claim to be the first stage manager, such as Maude T Howell and Maude Gill - http://stage-directions.com/10175-women-in-stage-management-revolutionizing-history-with-inclusion-2.html . Stage management has been around for many years, even back when theatre was invented in Greek times, there was aspects of stage management but it was not officially regcognised until the 18th century when the term "stage manager" was first used. In the time between the Renaissance and 17th century there were two names used, stage keeper and book keeper, i have found informtion about each of the roles: "The Stage Keeper was responsible for the maintenance of the theater, taking props on and off stage, and security of performance space. The Book Keeper was responsible for the stage script, obtaining necessary licenses, copying/providing lines for the performers, marking entrances and exits, tracking props, marking when sound effects come in, and cueing props and sound effects."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_management#History

Some sources say that women greatly outnumber men, one person stating "I opened up my old box of college playbills and sure enough, of those 18 shows, all but one were stage managed by a woman." -  https://www.onstageblog.com/columns/2017/5/26/women-dominate-the-stage-management-industry-so-why-are-they-still-paid-less-than-men 
And it also goes on to show statistics. I think one of the reasons that women are successful stage managers is because they are good at multitasking and their organisation is often far better than mens.