In this episode, we catch up with our brand new Production Manager and Assistant Professor of Stage & Production Management, Raey Bagley. You'll learn all about Raey and their background, what makes a great production or stage manager, and all the ways theatre training is so useful—in work and in life—both onstage and off.
In this episode, we catch up with our brand new Production Manager and Assistant Professor of Stage & Production Management, Raey Bagley.
You'll learn all about Raey and their background, what makes a great production or stage manager, and all the ways theatre training is so useful—in work and in life—both onstage and off.
For more information about Raey and their work, check out this site: https://raeybagley.wixsite.com/portfolio
And for more information about our production of INTO THE BREECHES! and to buy tickets, please visit this link: http://theatreandfilm.olemiss.edu/olemisstheatre.html
From the Department of Theater and Film at the University of Mississippi, this is Stage & Screen.
Katherine Stewart
Hello, hello and welcome back to Stage & Screen.
Katherine Stewart
I'm your host, Katherine Stewart, and my guest today is Raey Bagley, who just joined our department as Assistant professor of stage and production management.
Katherine Stewart
I think you'll enjoy getting to know them as much as I did during this conversation.
Katherine Stewart
So, without further ado, here's Raey.
Katherine Stewart
Good morning, Raey.
Katherine Stewart
Thank you so much for joining us today.
Katherine Stewart
I'm really excited.
Katherine Stewart
To talk with you.
Katherine Stewart
So if you just want to get us started by telling us who you are and where you're from and a little bit about your background, that would be great.
Raey Bagely
Yeah, absolutely.
Raey Bagely
My name is Raey Bagley.
Raey Bagely
My pronouns are they/them.
Raey Bagely
I am coming most recently from the University of Alabama, where I just finished my graduate degree with a concentration in stage management.
Raey Bagely
I actually went after undergrad.
Raey Bagely
I went and looked, worked professionally for a very long time and it was actually working.
Raey Bagely
I fell into a teaching position on accident when I was in New York, working at a place called stage Door Manor.
Raey Bagely
I fell into teaching the stage management class that runs one of the festivals.
Raey Bagely
That happens.
Raey Bagely
It's called Drama Fest at that camp and I fell in love.
Raey Bagely
I absolutely fell in love.
Raey Bagely
I've always been kind of a mentor to other stage managers the the further along in my career.
Raey Bagely
That I get.
Raey Bagely
And it just kind of opened up a whole new world to me.
Raey Bagely
So it was shortly after that that I decided to go back to school and get my masters.
Raey Bagely
And I'm actually really glad that I did it that way.
Raey Bagely
I'm really glad that I went and got as much experience as I did professionally, about 15 years worth of experience professionally before I decided to go back.
Raey Bagely
And get my masters and now I'm here.
Katherine Stewart
Well, well again welcome we're we're very glad to have you.
Katherine Stewart
So tell me a little bit about stage management and and production management, which I know is your specialty and what you're doing for us in the department.
Raey Bagely
So this department has grown so much and needed this new position and I am so happy to be a part of this program and and a part of its growth.
Raey Bagely
So what a production manager does is they oversee all scheduling, they oversee budgets, they oversee every facet.
Raey Bagely
Of facilitation that is needed between every single department, which is almost identical to what a stage manager does.
Raey Bagely
So what a stage manager does is we facilitate every single aspect of a production of any type of live production.
Raey Bagely
There goes one of those things.
Raey Bagely
Every part of facet of a live production, from musicals to plays to corporate events to gaming conventions.
Raey Bagely
Even I've I've worked several of those.
Raey Bagely
So you are the center point of contact for anything to do with the production process we run.
Raey Bagely
Rehearsals we create what is called a show promptbook.
Raey Bagely
Some people call it just the the.
Raey Bagely
Book Air quotes and Lubbock or or.
Raey Bagely
It's also been known over the last 100 years as the show Bible.
Raey Bagely
And what that is, is it documents everything that happens in a production from the time that we decide to do the production to after the production has closed.
Raey Bagely
And what I do here at the university is I train.
Raey Bagely
Beginning stage managers how to do this process from start to end?
Raey Bagely
Finish I will be teaching here stage management one and two.
Raey Bagely
I will also be teaching production management one and two and talking about various forms of theories of communication, theories of leadership skills, how to talk to people, how to.
Raey Bagely
Update your vocabulary as it as it is necessary, since you are kind of a translator almost in between each of the departments, especially for the director, translating what the director wants and what the director needs into the language that other people in the production speak.
Raey Bagely
So that is what I'm doing here.
Katherine Stewart
So what are some of for somebody who might be interested in stage management or production management, what are some of the.
Katherine Stewart
I don't know skills or qualities that a person might have who wants to get into that or or could learn from you.
Raey Bagely
That is actually one of my favorite questions.
Raey Bagely
So several years ago, I think it was my first year in grad school, I did a I was doing a project, and I actually reached out to several different forums, several different stage management forums, different people that I know personally, different groups on on Facebook and Twitter, and so on and so forth.
Raey Bagely
I took a survey of.
Raey Bagely
Even if you're not doing stage management now, if you have any stage management experience, can you tell me what life skills?
Raey Bagely
Are directly translatable to what you do now, either in your career or in your life, and I had just a complete rainbow array of different answers that came back for the skills that you learned as a stage.
Raey Bagely
Manager for anybody who's not a stage manager, I think stage management skills are great to help you appreciate the production that you are working on as well.
Raey Bagely
Not many people actually know what, uh, what all is stage manager does what all it entails and I think.
Raey Bagely
Mostly because the stage manager does not have.
Raey Bagely
A specific job description.
Raey Bagely
There is not one job description that describes the stage manager.
Raey Bagely
It is going to change every company you go to.
Raey Bagely
It's going to change in every show that you work on.
Raey Bagely
Skills that you learn as a stage manager is definitely communication, and there are many different forms of communication.
Raey Bagely
That's bodily communication, that's verbal communication, and that's written communication are the three kind of primary forms of communication that a stage manager focuses on.
Raey Bagely
Another thing that you learn is time management.
Raey Bagely
We all struggle at some point.
Katherine Stewart
Big one.
Raey Bagely
Our whole time management, right?
Raey Bagely
And this get this this helps.
Raey Bagely
There are three primaries of a stage manager that are skills directly translatable to any type of of career or life skill, just just skills that you need in your everyday life.
Raey Bagely
And that's communication, facilitation and anticipation.
Raey Bagely
So you are.
Raey Bagely
Prepared kind of like the scouts, OK, so you're prepared for anything that could possibly happen.
Raey Bagely
You look, you stage managers have a unique way of looking at any kind of problem or subject or situation from many different angles and can come up with the best solution for anything that happens.
Raey Bagely
When it comes to facilitation, that's where we are the primary point of communication.
Raey Bagely
We can help others.
Raey Bagely
We helped set others up for success, essentially, which I think is beautiful.
Raey Bagely
There are two very interesting things that I got back from that survey, one of them said.
Raey Bagely
I learned how to do laundry.
Raey Bagely
Stage manager.
Raey Bagely
And I got to thinking about it and it's sure there are some situations where we're kind of a stage manager and.
Raey Bagely
You know semi colon here?
Raey Bagely
Uh, depending on what kind of company you're going to be working for.
Raey Bagely
If it's a smaller company, you might come in and you might help workshop hours.
Raey Bagely
Or if you're in an educational setting like this, you might go in and work different different shop hours or different crew hours for different shows just to learn different aspects.
Raey Bagely
Of any type of production.
Raey Bagely
And another one that I found really it's it's kind of a heart wrenching story this, this person reached out with an answer and they said when it comes to communication and facilitation, they had this person, had a person, a family member that was in Hospice care, had been in and out of different hospitals and and.
Raey Bagely
None of the rest of this person family was able to really communicate with the doctors, really, or communicate with Hospice care, or communicate with any kind of caretakers along the journey of this process for this family.
Raey Bagely
And this person that reached out with this answer was able to talk to many different people to come up with solutions on how to care for this family.
Raey Bagely
And this person told me that they learned the skills that they needed to help communicate and facilitate the situation just because they had stage management experience.
Raey Bagely
So when I say life skills, I mean the actual things that happen in life outside of things that, you know, make you money.
Katherine Stewart
And, you know, that actually touches on something that I've heard a lot when talking to different people in different areas of working in theater about how much, if you have like a basic training in theater.
Katherine Stewart
Like you learn so many things that are applicable in life.
Katherine Stewart
I you know that you might not learn in another type of degree program or a different type of education.
Katherine Stewart
There are just so many asset assets to to that training that's really, that's really.
Raey Bagely
Yeah, absolutely.
Raey Bagely
It's any type of any, not even just necessarily stage management.
Raey Bagely
But you're right, theater, even even acting classes help lawyers to be able to stand up in a in a courtroom and be able to conduct themselves because you're being watched by a million people.
Raey Bagely
It's just a different type of production.
Katherine Stewart
You have to hold an audience.
Raey Bagely
You have to hold an audience who.
Katherine Stewart
And you have to compel people.
Raey Bagely
Yeah, yes, you have to.
Katherine Stewart
You have to.
Raey Bagely
You know, there's things like debate teams.
Raey Bagely
There's things like speech classes and and such and and not that those aren't beneficial, but we dive more into the theories of that in theater and.
Raey Bagely
And different ways of thinking about the same subject. So one subject matter, but you look at it from 1000 different directions.
Katherine Stewart
So can you tell me a little bit more about the classes that you're teaching?
Katherine Stewart
You said you have stage management one and two and then also production management, what, what actually is in those courses?
Raey Bagely
So production management, since this is a brand new course, I'm actually looking at until next semester, what I'm believing that that's going to look like it is, it is going to be a lot of theory as far as leadership skills and management.
Raey Bagely
But it's also I'm going to my idea anyway is to have students shadow me as the production manager.
Raey Bagely
They will work on all of the shows in a production management capacity.
Raey Bagely
We're going to learn how to work with large budgets.
Raey Bagely
We're going to learn how to work with scheduling for many different areas.
Raey Bagely
Not just a rehearsal schedule, not just a a calendar of when things are due, but putting all of the things into one single calendar, which if you look at my calendar can look kind of scary.
We have.
Raey Bagely
To take care of it and I am happy to facilitate and take care of those things.
Right.
Raey Bagely
So production management is is going to evolve as as this program evolves.
Raey Bagely
Most assuredly stage management and my stage management one class we work on, the basics we work on the here are the basic things that you need to know as a stage manager then and how you can.
Raey Bagely
Use those basics in any type of situation that you're going to be in any kind of production, whether it's a musical, whether it's a play, whether it's a different company that might have different ways that they like to do things.
Raey Bagely
Something I also do with my stage management one class as I assign them as assistant stage managers to the shows.
Raey Bagely
For example, on into the breaches, which is what we are working on right now, which opens on Friday.
Katherine Stewart
Which we'll talk about a little bit more in just a minute, yes.
Raey Bagely
Very tight.
Raey Bagely
Very exciting.
I'm the assistant.
Raey Bagely
Stage manager on that show is a freshman and she is in my stage management one class right now.
Raey Bagely
She is learning paperwork a lot.
Raey Bagely
A lot.
Raey Bagely
A lot of what we do and stage managers is paperwork.
Raey Bagely
It's documentation design.
Raey Bagely
How can you put a whole bunch of info on one piece of paper and people be able to read it without getting confused?
Raey Bagely
Without it look.
Raey Bagely
And like, it's all crap.
Raey Bagely
A whole bunch of things crammed onto one one thing.
Raey Bagely
How to break that down into different categories and and how to make it pleasing to the eye.
Raey Bagely
Right.
Raey Bagely
People will actually read it.
Raey Bagely
And and understand its content.
Raey Bagely
She is learning communication skills, how to talk to different types of people.
Raey Bagely
She's learning all kinds of things I'm very excited for, for that process for her.
Katherine Stewart
So you mentioned into the breaches, which is our show that is opening in two.
Katherine Stewart
Very exciting.
Katherine Stewart
What what are you doing for that show?
Raey Bagely
Well, one of the things I'm doing is I am the primary advisor for the stage manager on the show.
Raey Bagely
Now this particular stage manager, they are not on in my class, but they have been here for a few years before I got here and they're wonderful human being.
Raey Bagely
They're actually an actor.
Raey Bagely
They are.
Raey Bagely
They are part of the the acting program.
Raey Bagely
And I love when actors, especially in in an educational setting, are put in roles of stage management because it's going to help.
Raey Bagely
Like I said earlier, it's going to help them really appreciate all aspects of what they.
Raey Bagely
Do as a performer.
Raey Bagely
Just in the time that I've gotten to know them, they have grown so much.
Raey Bagely
And today actually is our second dress rehearsal.
Raey Bagely
Oh, and up until now I've been sitting right behind her, right behind them, making sure that they are calling queues correctly, making sure that they are announcing to the group that's that's including the cast and the production team that is sitting out in the house and working on things.
Raey Bagely
Where are we?
Raey Bagely
What are we doing?
Raey Bagely
Why are we holding?
Raey Bagely
Where are we going back to?
Raey Bagely
How are we getting?
Raey Bagely
To the next thing.
Raey Bagely
Uh, helping to facilitate the entire conversation while we are putting all of these elements together, costumes has been working in there in the costume department.
Raey Bagely
Lighting has been hanging lights and focusing lights and and making sure that all of that is put together.
Raey Bagely
Props have been building and painting and.
Raey Bagely
And distressing some things, as you'll see in the show.
Raey Bagely
So everybody has been working on these different elements and now it is up to the stage manager to put all of those together during this technical process.
Raey Bagely
So I've been.
Raey Bagely
Uh, shadowing them to to learn how to command a room, how to take charge, as it were, and and learning the difference between one of the actually one of the.
No change.
Raey Bagely
The research that I'm actually working on academically is, is the difference between being controlling and being in control as a stage manager.
Raey Bagely
And that's one of the things that we're just kind of working on in real time with which they have been absolutely wonderful.
Raey Bagely
They have picked up everything.
Raey Bagely
It can be very, I remember my very first stage.
Raey Bagely
Management role in undergrad.
Raey Bagely
And thinking, wow, you mean I'm in charge of all these people.
Raey Bagely
I have to tell these people what we're doing it's very intimidating to and then some of these people are your are your professors, you know, and and you're having to tell them what to do and what we're doing next and what you need to be able to make this show happen and they this stage manager is really, really.
Right.
Raey Bagely
Really come a long way and is just I'm I could not be more proud of them on it.
Raey Bagely
Another thing that I do is, is it's kind of splitting the stage management role down the middle.
Raey Bagely
So I I my goal is to in the future as I helped build this stage management program here at the university, that the stage manager will be doing more of what I've been doing in rehearsal, which is.
Raey Bagely
Asking, you know, after, after, let's say after a full run, we still have 45 minutes left in rehearsal and now we need to figure out what needs to be worked. What do we?
Raey Bagely
Have time to.
Raey Bagely
How do we make that happen?
Raey Bagely
And making making hard and fast immediate decisions based on the time that we have and and how to to put things together?
Raey Bagely
So my goal is to have the stage manager.
Raey Bagely
It may be completely hands out and just sitting in the background and watching as a production manager slash advisor.
Raey Bagely
Today, actually, since it's.
Raey Bagely
A second dress rehearsal I am.
Raey Bagely
Going to be hands out.
Raey Bagely
I'm there, I'm going to be there and I'm going to be in the in the house for for the stage manager to ask any questions or to to help facilitate in any way I can.
Raey Bagely
But they are going to be making all the calling, all the shots, making all the decisions and I'm I'm very excited for them and they seem very excited for the challenge as well.
Katherine Stewart
And I'm sure they feel so reassured and comforted knowing that you're there in case, you know, a random question comes up that they don't know exactly how to answer immediately or get, you know, get a little bit, a little bit overwhelmed or stuck with all of it.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah, that's wonder.
Katherine Stewart
That's wonderful.
Katherine Stewart
Well, let's see.
Katherine Stewart
Is there anything about this show in particular that you would like to share?
Katherine Stewart
Thought, just thoughts on the show itself.
Katherine Stewart
What's what's your favorite?
Katherine Stewart
Thing about it.
Raey Bagely
Thoughts on the show itself?
Raey Bagely
I love the.
Raey Bagely
Content of this show, I think it is very relevant.
Raey Bagely
It is very much, in my opinion, a feminist show.
Katherine Stewart
Yeah, yes.
Raey Bagely
And I think it is very relevant to today, even though this show is set during World War Two.
Raey Bagely
OK, so there there are.
Raey Bagely
Costumes the the show takes place backstage of a theater, and all of the men, as it were, are overseas fighting in World War Two.
Raey Bagely
And it's up to the women now to put on a production and that's never that's been unheard of and and why would?
Raey Bagely
We do this kind.
Raey Bagely
Of thing and you know, oh, we can't do something like this without it.
Raey Bagely
So I think that that this is, this is a conversation that is still relevant today and and and probably will be unfortunately for the foreseeable future.
Raey Bagely
So I think it's, I think it's a great story to tell, to look at, to dissect, to think about.
Raey Bagely
While at the same time being hilarious.
Raey Bagely
Yeah, this show is so funny.
Raey Bagely
It's got really heart wrenching moments.
Raey Bagely
It's got beautiful, poignant moments.
Raey Bagely
But also, I'm having to wipe my face every couple of minutes because I'm laughing so hard.
Katherine Stewart
At yeah, for what?
Katherine Stewart
For one reason or another.
Raey Bagely
You know I it's it's great.
Raey Bagely
Comedy is challenging, especially when you are doing a comedy about something about a heavy topic.
Raey Bagely
And and I think this show does really well.
Raey Bagely
The director has has really put together a very beautiful show.
Raey Bagely
The cast has.
Raey Bagely
You can tell really dove into their characters and and appreciate what's going on in this, this production.
Raey Bagely
And it's funny, it's passionate and I think it's very relevant.
Katherine Stewart
That's that's absolutely it.
Katherine Stewart
You're absolutely right.
Katherine Stewart
Well, well, right.
Katherine Stewart
Thank you so much for visiting with me today.
Katherine Stewart
I'm super excited to have you on the podcast and introduce you to.
Katherine Stewart
All of our listeners and welcome you to.
Katherine Stewart
The department and all of that, yeah.
Raey Bagely
Thank you very much for having me I.
Raey Bagely
Everybody has been so welcoming to me.
Katherine Stewart
I'm so glad.
Raey Bagely
I have to.
Raey Bagely
Department husband.
Raey Bagely
Just because I've had a lot of questions, you know, like I said, I've I've worked professionally for a very long time.
Raey Bagely
This is not the first university I've worked at, but this is the first time.
Raey Bagely
That I have been in the position where I I am creating a program.
Raey Bagely
I'm creating a program for beginning stage managers and undergrad stage managers and future production managers or managers of any kind of.
Raey Bagely
Theater, any kind of live performance capacity and I'm, I'm really, really excited to be a part of that process.
Raey Bagely
I think everybody is very happy that this position exists now, yes.
Raey Bagely
And I just really look forward to helping facilitate the growth of this, of this program and the success of students because at the end of the day, we're here for them.
Katherine Stewart
And I'm so glad that this this position was was created and that you're in.
Katherine Stewart
So thank you so much for joining us.
Raey Bagely
You know very much.
Raey Bagely
I appreciate it.
Katherine Stewart
I love visiting with you and.
Katherine Stewart
Alright, once again, that was Raey Bagley, our new production manager and assistant professor of stage and production management.
Katherine Stewart
Don't forget to check out the show notes For more information about Ray as well as about our upcoming production of into the breach is, which opens tonight and Meek Auditorium and runs through October 9th.
Katherine Stewart
You'll find links and more information for both in the show notes.
Katherine Stewart
Till next time this is Stage & Screen.