Types and Execution of Cues
– Cues are given by the stage manager through verbal signals, cue lights, or show control systems.
– There are three types of cues: warning, standby, and go.
– Warning cues are given about a minute prior to the cue to allow crew members to prepare.
– Standby cues are given a few seconds before the cue to indicate that everything should be ready.
– Go cues are given at the moment the cue should be executed, signaling the crew to take action.
– Stage managers have different methods for calling warning, standby, and go cues.
– The important thing is that the calls can be heard and understood.
– Example of calling a light cue: ‘Warning LX 24,’ ‘Standby LX 24,’ ‘LX 24 GO.’
– The word ‘go’ is always said after the department and cue number.
– Crew members are expected to respond to the stage manager’s calls to indicate they have heard and understood.
Order and Organization of Cues
– Cues have established numbers, usually starting from 1 and progressing in integers.
– Additional cues added after the initial list may be divided by a decimal or a letter.
– Lighting, sound, and rail cues may have their own separate sequences.
– In some systems, cues are arranged together in a sequential order.
– It is acceptable for a single cue to control multiple actions in certain systems.
Followspot Cues
– Followspot operators often do not take cues from stage managers due to varying actor movements.
– Stage managers may only call specific followspot cues, such as a blackout.
– Followspot operators follow their own cue sheet or take direction from the lighting board operator.
– Calling every cue for a follow spot operator could complicate the cueing process.
– Communication subsystems dedicated to lighting cues are used for coordination.
Cue Lights
– Cue lights are used for backstage cues when communication headsets are impractical.
– They are controlled by the stage managers using a switch, similar to audio cues.
– Cue lights use traffic light colors: solid red for warning, optional yellow or flashing red for standby, and green for go.
– No light indicates no pending cue, and different protocols may have different meanings for solid red light.
– Some cue light systems allow actors or crew to acknowledge the cue received.
Cue Sheet
– A cue sheet provides information about the cue’s execution, timing, sequence, intensity (for lights), and volume (for sound).
– It is usually generated by the deputy stage manager or design department head.
– Board operators, running crew, and deck crews may have specific cue sheet copies for their departments.
– The stage manager keeps a master list of all cues in the prompt book.
– Cue sheets help ensure smooth coordination and execution of cues during the show. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cue_(theatrical)
A theatrical cue is the trigger for an action to be carried out at a specific time. It is generally associated with theatre and the film industry. They can be necessary for a lighting change or effect, a sound effect, or some sort of stage or set movement/change.
