Mark Shayle
Mark is a graduate of the Central School of Speech and Drama. Between 1985 and 1995 he was a Stage Manager and Production Manager in many theatrical environments, from repertory to small scale touring; working on shows like Miss Saigon and Me and My Girl in the West End; Tour Managing the Kirov Ballet and Moscow Classical Ballet throughout the UK; Stage Managing the UK tour of Oklahoma!; and too many fringe shows to list.
In 1995 he joined Apollo Leisure as a Production Manager. Projects included: Singin’ in The Rain (UK Tour), Copacabana, (UK Tour), and A Christmas Carol (Theatre Royal, Nottingham). West End credits include Aint' Misbehavin’ (Lyric Theatre), Scrooge - The Musical (Dominion Theatre).
He traded as a freelance Production Manager under the banner Ideal Production Services between 1997 and 2001, working in both the corporate and theatrical sectors. Credits included: Tap Dogs (UK / European Tour), Marlene (UK / European Tour), Girls on Tap (UK Tour), Dearly Beloved (Bridewell Theatre), Sweet Charity (Victoria Palace Theatre), A Night at the Circus (ICA London), “Spiderman”, “Casper” and “The Mask” - The Musicals (for Butlins Ltd.), What You Get and What You Expect (Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith), All You Need is Love (UK Tour and West End), Stage Manager - Royal Gala Hey Mr. Producer (Lyceum Theatre for Cameron Mackintosh).
Corporate Clients included: IBM, British Telecom, Cisco Systems, Novell, Toshiba, and The Stock Exchange. More recently Mark has undertaken freelance SM and PM roles on a wide variety of corporate events, in the UK and abroad.
Between 2001 and 2005 Mark headed up the Stage Management and Technical Theatre Course at LAMDA, one of the most renowned training programmes of its kind.
In 2005 he returned to freelancing as a Stage, Production and General Manager, combining this with occasional lecturing & seminar work, as well as being the General Manager for The Paddock, a small scale Arts Organisation. Additionally he works as a Productivity Coach for businesses and individuals.
Freelance production highlights include Production Manager for the critically acclaimed smash hit of the Brighton Festival in 2007, New World Order; CSM for the UK tour of Dinner at Mirandolina’s Inn for A27 Ltd; CSM and re-lighter for the UK tour Blonde Bombshells of 1943 for TEG Ltd; PM for the UK tours of Milkshake! Live for Dan Colman Ltd.; PM and Show Caller Brainiac Live! 2010; PM for Burn The Floor at the Shaftesbury theatre, London; PM for the UK tour of Science Museum Live! PM for Brazouka directed by Arlene Philips, 2014 UK premier and international tour; Senior SM - The Opening and Closing Ceremonies Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics; CSM for the 25th Anniversary production of Return to the Forbidden Planet, 2015, UK tour and South Korea's "Deagu Musical Theatre Festival"; PM for Mr Popper’s Penguins, 2015/16, UK tour & Christmas residency at The Lowry, Salford, Kenny Wax Ltd.
For the last few years back on the road as a CSM Private Lives, 2016, UK Tour, for ATG Ltd.; Brideshead Revisited, 2016, UK Tour, for English Touring Theatre Ltd.; A Room With A View, 2016, UK Tour, for Theatre Royal Bath Productions / ACT Ltd.; Company Manager on the West End Production of The Miser at the Garrick theatre. CSM and PM – Pressure, UK tour, starring and written by David Haig, Dir. John Dove for TCTC Ltd. PM - Red Entertainment Ltd. - 2018 - Multiple shows and UK touring projects. PM - Rosenbaum's Rescue, 2018/19, Park Theatre, Finsbury Park. CSM - Glengarry Glen Ross, 2019, UK Tour, ATG Ltd. Company Manager - The Man in the White Suit, 2019, The Wyndhams Theatre, London. CSM - The Croft 2020, UK Tour, Original Theatre Company.
Going into retirement over the lockdown period, Mark produced and hosted a lighthearted podcast of all things backstage called "Production Meetings", and was arm twisted to go back on tour in the Autumn of 2022 with Original Theatre Company's new adaptation of The Mirror Crack'd. Mark is currently stage management tutor at Mountview Academy, London.
Mark lives in Lewes, East Sussex with his partner Pat, and their daughter Jessica.
Session: Introduction to Stage Management for Theatre
The very popular NODA Stage Management course returns to Summer School. It is geared towards people with little or no stage management experience in the amateur arena, teaching and explaining professional practice and techniques. The course is also suitable for directors, committee members and producers who want to gain knowledge of the "nuts and bolts" of putting on a show to enhance future productions.
In a series of seminars, the course will cover many topics relating to putting on a show.
During the week students will
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gain practical insight into all aspects of stage management.
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learn about the "The Production Process", focusing on Production Management.
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prepare to take the first step into this fascinating and rewarding backstage role.
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solve some of the mysteries of technical jargon and improve communication with director and production team.
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discover practical skills like Marking Out a Rehearsal Room.
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prepare professional standard paperwork, in building your own Prompt Script.
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feel the excitement, fear and elation of "show calling", in the now infamous "Cueing Exercise"!
Once again, the course is delivered by Mark Shayle, an experienced Stage & Production Manager, former Head of Stage Management training at The London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art, and regular trainer at Rose Bruford College. Mark draws upon his decades of stage management experience to deliver a fast, funny and engaging week of seminars, group discussion and practical exercises.