Calling the Show: Stage Manager Erynn Troup on the Invisible Architecture of Theatre

Published February 2026

In this episode of In the Making, we step behind the curtain to explore one of the most essential and often invisible roles in theatre production, the stage manager.

Erynn Troup joins Dawson to describe what it means to be responsible for the flow of a live performance, where dozens of moving parts must align perfectly each night.

Much of the conversation centres on tech week, the intense period when lighting, costumes, sound, sets, and performers finally come together. In a matter of days, sometimes hours, the creative vision of a production must transform into a functioning live show.

For a stage manager, this means coordinating teams across departments, maintaining safety backstage, managing rehearsal schedules, and ultimately calling the show. Once the production opens, every lighting cue, sound cue, and stage movement flows through a headset system where the stage manager communicates in real time with the entire crew.

Erynn describes the unique pressure of this role, the responsibility of guiding a production through the unpredictable conditions of live performance, where anything can happen and quick decisions must be made instantly. What emerges from the conversation is a portrait of theatre as a deeply collaborative ecosystem. One where the audience sees only the final performance, while an entire network of artists and technicians work in perfect synchronization behind the scenes.

Themes in this conversation

The invisible structure of theatre
Stage managers coordinate the technical and human elements that allow a production to run smoothly.

Tech Week and live performance
The final days before opening are intense periods of integration, where lighting, costumes, props, and staging must align.

Communication and leadership
Stage managers serve as the central communication hub connecting performers, crew, and directors.

Collaboration in creative work
Theatre succeeds only through collective effort, trust, and precise coordination between many different roles.

“Once the show opens, you’re calling every cue with the entire team listening.”

About Erryn Troup

Erynn Troup is a theatre stage manager in Cape Town, South Africa, whose work focuses on the coordination and execution of live performance. Working at the intersection of technical production and artistic collaboration, she oversees rehearsals, backstage operations, and the complex systems that bring a stage production to life. Stage managers act as the central communication hub of a theatre production, coordinating performers, technicians, and creative teams while maintaining safety and timing during live shows. Through her work, Erynn helps guide productions from rehearsal room to opening night, calling cues and ensuring that every performance unfolds smoothly for both the cast and the audience. Her role offers a unique perspective on theatre — one that reveals the invisible labour, discipline, and teamwork required to create a seamless live experience.

From the Archive

This conversation was originally recorded during the early phase of the podcast when it was known as RATT – Rebel Artists Through Time. It remains part of the Piperlime Studio archive and is now presented within the In the Making series.