Learning to call cues for the first time as a stage manager was a process of trial, focus, and a lot of listening. It started with sitting in on rehearsals, following along with the script, and learning how to "read ahead" so I could anticipate exactly when each cue needed to be called. I worked closely with the lighting and sound designers to understand their timing and what they needed from me. At first, I’d mark the cues in my script and practice calling them quietly to myself, trying to get the pacing right. Then came headset training—learning the proper language, like “standby” and “go,” and how to keep my voice clear and calm even when things backstage felt chaotic. Timing was everything; I had to be a few seconds ahead mentally, ready to call the cue at the exact right moment. It was definitely intimidating at first, but with each rehearsal, I became more confident and learned how to manage the flow of communication. Eventually, it all clicked, and I began to enjoy the rhythm of cue calling.

Cue Calling