Reddit reviews The Back Stage Guide to Stage Management, 3rd Edition: Traditional and New Methods for Running a Show from First Rehearsal to Last Performance

https://www.amazon.ca/Back-Stage-Guide-Management-3rd/dp/0823098028

You've got to take blocking/light/sound cue notes, call the show, hold talent accountable for call times, lots of paperwork... generally be in charge of the show when the director isn't there. As a disclaimer, I've never been a professional stage manager because it's way too much work, but I work in professional theater.

See if you can ASM or be a PA for a show. See if there is a theatre that will allow you to observe the SM operations for a show. There are multiple ways you can get involved.

Stage Management Resource is a great source for advice.

I also recommend The Backstage Guide to Stage Management. It’s a book I had to read when I was in college and I still reference it for when I SM.

[Production Stage Management for Broadway] (https://www.amazon.com/Production-Stage-Management-Broadway-Opening/dp/0896762939/ref=pd_sim_14_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0896762939&pd_rd_r=d3da8c47-be70-11e8-9d90-8b493ea953ed&pd_rd_w=qpTgQ&pd_rd_wg=2Vf7g&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=18bb0b78-4200-49b9-ac91-f141d61a1780&pf_rd_r=EJNCW54K8P5G2AVSCW2P&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=EJNCW54K8P5G2AVSCW2P) is a seriously good book, but it's very specific to Commercial style PSMing.

[Stage Manager's Toolkit] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1138183776/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1) is a great book if you're getting started, it's the Freshman textbook at my University. [The first addition] (https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Managers-Toolkit-Communication-Performance/dp/0415663199) is cheaper but it's a tad dated by now.

[The Backstage Guide to Stage Management] (https://www.amazon.com/Back-Stage-Guide-Management-3rd/dp/0823098028/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0823098028&pd_rd_r=a2cb0a09-be70-11e8-b3a9-1f5f95d9d540&pd_rd_w=ebcVw&pd_rd_wg=LVsxu&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=18bb0b78-4200-49b9-ac91-f141d61a1780&pf_rd_r=XKJPTT300SQHAVA9TJKW&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=XKJPTT300SQHAVA9TJKW) is great but a little dated. It has a great section on Opera stage management which can be rare.

Also, if you're doing some reading and you haven't learned this already, definitely read up on [how to read music!] (https://www.musicnotes.com/blog/2014/04/11/how-to-read-sheet-music/)

My undergrad prof used The Back Stage Guide to Stage Management by Thomas A. Kelly for our SM class. I thought it was really helpful!

Few books that helped me get started:
https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Managers-Toolkit-Communication-Performance/dp/1138183776/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1542608132&sr=8-7&keywords=stage+manager

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https://www.amazon.com/Back-Stage-Guide-Management-3rd/dp/0823098028/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0823098028&pd_rd_r=8bc387b0-ebc2-11e8-ae28-63a19228e702&pd_rd_w=z03gC&pd_rd_wg=p4c6y&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=BFK34PJ5BZQ4P1BDVYTQ&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=BFK34PJ5BZQ4P1BDVYTQ

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https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Manager-Experience_Refreshed-Larry-Fazio/dp/1138195073/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1542608202&sr=1-1&keywords=The+professional+stage+manager

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