Completing a markup or a tape out can always feel daunting to new stage managers. Especially when you’re just starting out, it can feel like a lot of conjecture: do those lines look perpendicular? does that shape match what’s on the ground plan? are we even using the right scale? Whether you’re a seasoned professional, or starting your first ever production, this guide will help you prep and complete the most accurate stage markups.
But first, what is a stage markup? A markup is when the stage management team uses spike tape to mark the layout of the set in a theatrical production or a performance event. Typically, they will complete this process at least twice during a production: once in the rehearsal room, and once before tech on the performance stage. A markup is essential for everyone to understand the space available for staging a show; it helps the director and actors get a better picture for how the show will look without having the set present in rehearsals. Thus, an accurate markup is crucial to avoiding problems in the week leading up to the performance.
To start a markup, you’ll need several pieces of equipment:
- a ground plan issued by the designer (be sure to check the scale)
- scale ruler
- pencil + scrap paper
- 1-2 tape measures (preferably the flexible ones, at least 30m long)
- chalk and chalk line
- spike tape
- wet mop
- at least 1 other person
prep for the markup…
To prep for the markup, you’ll need a space to layout your ground plan and write. Gather your plan, ruler, pen and paper, and maybe play some music in the background. You’ll want to draw your setting line (usually in line with the proscenium, but double check with your designer) with two ticks at 2 meters from center on each side. If your plan doesn’t already have the center line marked, you can measure the center point on the setting line and make a tick there.
Label the two ticks on either side of center point A and point B. You will use these two marks to triangulate the distance to each point on the ground plan. On your plan, label each point on the set with a number. How many numbers you have depends on how detailed your set is: if there is only 1 chair on the stage, there should be 4 points to mark the 4 corners of the chair.
Once those steps are complete, you can draft a chart to write down all your measurements. You’ll need 3 columns: the point number, the distance from point A, and the distance from point B. Now, you’re ready to take measurements. Find the point on the ground plan you labelled ‘1’. Use your scale ruler to measure the distance from point 1 to point A, and record that measurement in your chart. Repeat the same for the distance between point 1 and point B. Make sure you are using the correct scale, or else all your measurements will be off.
Repeat this process for all the points on your ground plan. At the end, you should have a full chart that you can take to the rehearsal space.
the markup…
Once you’re in the rehearsal room, you’ll want to think about how you want to organize the room. Where will the director and stage manager sit? Will the markup be in a high-trafficked area or in front of a door? Where will the actors congregate when they are not actively onstage? These are all questions to consider when you are positioning your markup on the rehearsal floor. At the very least, you want the furthest downstage edge of your markup to be around 1.5 meters away from any wall so that you have enough room for a few tables and chairs.
The first thing you’ll tape down is the setting line. To do this, measure your chosen distance (in this case, 1.5m) from the wall in two places, at least a few meters apart, and mark those measurements with a small piece of spike tape. Use those two marks to measure a straight line across the front of the rehearsal space that is the exact distance of the setting line. You want this line to be as straight as possible and not crooked, which is why we took two measurement out from the wall. Use your chalk line to mark the setting line, make sure it is straight, and then tape over that line with spike tape. Measure and mark the center and 2m out on either side for our points A and B.
Now, we draw the center line to the back of the rehearsal stage. To do this, you’ll need your tape measure, a piece of chalk, and a partner. You’ll take the end of the tape measure with a piece of chalk and walk 3 meters towards upstage center, while your partner holds the 3 meter mark on point A on the floor. Using the tape measure as a drafting compass, draw a large arc on the floor. Repeat the exact same thing on point B. In the end, you should have two arcs that intersect at upstage center. Use your chalk line to connect the intersection of the arc with the center point on your setting line. The result: your center line!
This will be the same process used to plot all your points of the ground plan. Using your measurement chart, measure the distance from point A to point 1, draw an arc, repeat for point B, draw an arc, and then mark their intersection. Once you have drawn a bunch of arcs and marked their intersections, you can start connecting the dots with spike tape and mopping away all of the chalk marks.
If you are lucky enough to have a third helper and second tape measure, you can ditch the chalk altogether. Have one person take both ends of the tape measures, and the other two feed the exact length from points A and B. The person with the two ends will move around the space until both tape measures are taut, and mark where the ends meet.
I hope you enjoy using this tutorial. If you would like the printable version with my illustrations, you can download it here. Feel free to share suggestions, comments, and photos in the comments section!
Thanks for reading,
Lily xx