Stage Managing Christmas Carol, by Brian Porter

Brian
Brian Porter, Stage Manager for A Christmas Carol

Having studied in a college program focused on producing professional, working theatre artists, I worked constantly in all fields from backstage to onstage to front of house.  I had a very broad education and worked with incredibly talented professionals who have set the standard by which I operate.  Because of this I have been able to and have enjoyed working professionally as both an actor and as a technician.  So when the opportunity to Stage Manage Sleepy Hollow and A Christmas Carol came about, I jumped at it.  I had worked at Charleston Stage prior as an actor and quickly gained a sense at the level of professionalism expected, and knew that my training had prepared me to keep that level on course.  As a performer I always have a great respect and admiration for a good Stage Manager because they create a sense of order and focus that allows me to do my job as a performer and truly makes it an enjoyable experience.

I enjoy the Stage Management experience for a multitude of reasons.  Stage Managing is as much an art form as performing.  The idea is that if a show’s technical aspects run seamlessly and the show runs effortlessly, then the Stage Management team has done its job.  We are supposed to make it look effortless like every other artist.  It becomes especially important with a show as large in scale and with as many performers as A Christmas Carol.  The logistics of producing a show with a musical component, period costumes, massive sets, multiple locations and a great number of props and performers is a daunting task.  I think turning chaos into order and making this experience a magical one for all involved including the audience is what I enjoy so much about Stage Managing.