What are the steps to do a quick and effective pre and post-show check?

Don't forget to check the life saving appliences and fire fighter devices. If you see something looks different as usual, that means something is not good, better double check.

To have developed and improved your checklist for the stage is an important requirement for the success of the show. Each checklist should be completed by half a dozen of fotos of the stage before and after the show. If you have a separate stage manager, you will be in contact with her/him. S/he is the person responsible of the the planning, the control and the progress of the show. If you are responsible yourself, you should consult your checklist and go carefully through each and every point. Take care for all security standards together with the technical director or the person who is responsible for all technical and security matters.

Usually, there are colleagues and assistants who are specialized on props, depending how big the theater and/or the stage is. If you are responsible for the props, please check the props list, check the props and be sure that all the props are in their foreseen location. Make sure, that they are easily available for the actors and the crew. Collect all props after the show, clean them and return them to the storage rooms. Please, repair or replace the props, if necessary, in time before the next show.

Keep eye on actors, no smoking and eating allowed in costumes. I recommend to make a costume check sheet, where the actors can write, if they have problem with the costume.

Check all costumes on the costume list. Are they cleaned and complete? Fill in missing parts. Coordinate with the stage manager, that all costumes will be changed organized and in time by the actors, and organize help for costume changes. Collect all costumes after the show, put them in laundry bins and/or directly in cleaning facilities. Make sure they will be ready, proper and fixed for the next show. In case some costumes break or tear, what happens more often than hoped and expected, try to find a person who can fix, sew and repair it. You will find a tailor in each bigger theater or in the streets at the theater venue. They will be proud to help the theater in no time when you send them an invitation to the next show.

Re post show: Depending on your venue or show, it may not be feasible to unplug every cable, but switch-rated breakers, disconnects, relays, and contactors are all great solutions to that. Also, leave a ghost light on the stage somewhere. Aside from traditions and superstitions, anyone who is in the venue after shutdown is more likely to see the set / orchestra pit / other obstacles.

If you have many complicated light transitions at a new stage/ theater/ location, set up a light rehearsal. You can check the functioning of the whole electrical equipment during that rehearsal. If this is not possible, because of pressure of time, make sure that the lighting operation or stage manager has the cue sheet and the headset. Turn off the whole electrical equipment after the show according to the security plan. Check for burnt-out bulbs and faulty switches, communicate to the venue manager and the responsible electricians.

Let the sound engineer make a sound test for each show, and try to test especially the parts of the system, that have made problems during the last show. Test each single set of microphones, speakers, cables and amplifiers. After the show, you should turn off the whole equipment and help the sound engineer to collect each microphone. Talk with her/him about all problems that happened during the show in detail, and make a plan, what should be done to improve the sound for the next show.

Always start a show with fully charged batteries. For example if you using rechargable AA batteries instead of alkaline, the level monitor can trick you. Always check the manual of the equipment.

Every venue and show are different. Get familiar with your working environment and your team. Don't hesitate to ask question. Be humble, polite, stay professional.

Given my 50 years of professional experience, I can safely say this is the silliest lesson so far. If one person tried to do everything in this list it would be like painting the Brooklyn Bridge (which I helped light): as soon as they finished and did the show they would have to start over again. Stage managers check that the checks have been done.

Make a checklist of what and who should be in the right place at the right time. Have a regular set time to do the check. Often this is called “The Idiot Check”.