OBJECTIVE:

To provide the opportunity to study experiences drawn from professional stage managers' careers, brainstorm your own approaches to these real-life situations, and assess the likely success and outcomes of proposed approaches.

CASE STUDY 3 - "Opera Life"

THE PLAYERS:

Giuseppe Versalle - Chorus Member who has frequently worked at Urbane Opera House over the course of the last decade.

YOU - AGMA Stage Manger of The Makropulos Case

VENUE: Urbane Opera House

SCENARIO:

You are stage managing a professional production of The Makropulos Case at Urbane Opera House and are well into the run of the show. One night when you go to check the sign-in sheet at half hour, you find that Giuseppe Versalle has not yet signed in. In the many years you have worked with Mr. Versalle, he has never been late for a single appointment. Before panicking, you head to the dressing room to see if he happened to forget to sign in. When you get to the dressing room, people are asking where Giuseppe is.

You call Mr. Versalle and can barely understand him when he answers the phone. He seems distracted, is incapable of following your questions, and is slurring his words.

WHAT DO YOU DO?