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Stage Managing “Scenes From the Big Picture”

Written by J David Moeller (playing Frank Coin)

Nikki Lint is a professional Stage Manager, and manage this show she does with a style that makes an intensely difficult job look surprisingly easy.

During rehearsals she not only had to keep track of the stage blocking of the 21 member cast, she also had to synchronize their schedules for rehearsal times/appearances, watch the script and be ready to give out a dropped line when called for, keep tabs on convoluted “transitions” between scenes where the cast moves furniture and props in and out of the set, co-ordinate props and set building, and on and on.

Her job was as back-up to Scott Cummins, the director, and--though many may not realize it--she takes charge of the show after it’s opening; i.e. she then becomes the director, though she makes no changes, but insures the production maintains its course as described by Cummins.

Nikki also “runs” the show during performances: calling for light and sound cues, alerting actors as to their curtain times, overseeing the setting of props, making sure dishes used in the show are washed, etc.

She doesn’t do it all herself, though. She’s assisted quite thoroughly and capably by Assistant Stage Manager, Mary Rose O’Connor.

These two women are responsible for making the show run smoothly so that audiences never realize anything is happening except for the acting on stage. Without Nikki and Mary, the show would not go on!