My crew and I juggle a lot of elements to put a show up: lights, sound, set pieces, cue lights, band cue lights, costumes and props to name a few. The one responsibility that falls squarely on my shoulders is the care of the actors.

A stage manager is a bit of a stern parent, therapist and the buddy with connections all rolled up into one. There are pages in the Actor's Equity Association Handbook dedicated to the rights and safety of the actors. We work very hard to make sure those rules are respected. Outside those rules there are several things that one would never write down, but are important.

I make coffee (well Jake did) for the rehearsals, not because we have to, but because it is nice. Birthdays roll around and cupcakes appear. Someone needs a hug and there are open arms.

Now the flip side of this is keeping everything running smoothly and peacefully with a collection of strong personalities that are working together for several months. Sometimes you need to have a discussion about performance notes, punctuality or respect (just to name a few). These discussions always feel like you're calling someone into the principal's office and are typically as unpleasant for me as for them.

For almost 3 hours a night I watch this cast bit by bit, put it together. While the audience sees our skewered view of Sarah Palin or Gary Herbert, I see hard working performers and a fine collection of actors. This is how I think of them:

Alexis Baigue: At least this year I haven't had to ask him to put his underwear back on...yet.
Stephanie Chace Bass: Still waters run deep... and she's a hurricane.
Steven Fehr: You don't want to make him mad. His inner Gayle is frightening.
Kent Harrison Hayes: He needs to have a personal drummer following him around providing rim shots... and upon reading this, he will think of at least 3 dirty jokes.
Justin Ivie: Makes a damn fine woman.
Shannon Musgrave: She's the prettiest girl in the cast, but don't tell Victoria.
Victoria Elena Nones: She's the prettiest girl in the cast, but don't tell Shannon.
Jesse Pepe: It's so nice he finally hit puberty. (I think I made the same joke last year.)
Jeanette Puhich: I miss her fat suit dirty dancing.
Brock Smith: I wonder if he wonders why McCoy left in a hurry.
Aaron Swenson: There is dry humor and then there is Aaron-Swenson-Sahara-in-mid-August-dry humor.

And there is a 12th member of the cast, but I can never remember her name... Ashley Garrett Carter... something like that.

Needless to say, I do respect them. They put on a great performances 6 times a week and have made this one of the best show experiences I have ever had.