stage-manage

/ˌsteɪdʒ ˈmænɪdʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌsteɪdʒ ˈmænɪdʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstāj-ˌma-nij How to pronounce stage-manage (audio)/ (ame, mw)

stage-manage — verb

  • stage-managepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • stage-manageshe / she / it
  • stage-managedpast simple
  • stage-managing-ing form

1. to plan and control a public event or situation very closely so that people reac

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to plan and control a public event or situation very closely so that people react in the way you want.

例句

The party stage-managed the mayor's hospital visit for the evening news.

stage-manage + public visit for media impact

Brian stage-managed the apology so parents would see a calmer principal.

control of public image after a problem

同義詞
  • orchestrate

    broader and often more positive; it can describe skillful coordination without the hidden-control idea

  • script

    stresses planning exact words or actions, especially in politics or media

  • choreograph

    can be used figuratively for careful planning, but it often suggests visible movement or timing

反義詞
  • improvise

    means to deal with events without tightly planning them first

文法句型

stage-manage + visit / interview / event

stage-manage + apology / launch / campaign

用法筆記

Often suggests hidden control rather than open planning. The object is usually a visit, interview, launch, apology, or other event that outsiders will watch closely.

常見錯誤

❌We stage-managed the chairs before lunch.
✅We arranged the chairs before lunch.
💡stage-manage is about controlling how an event appears to other people, not ordinary physical setup.

2. to do the backstage organizing work for a play or other live show as its stage m

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to do the backstage organizing work for a play or other live show as its stage manager.

例句

Feng stage-managed the school musical and called every light change.

theatre use: run backstage cues

Nila stage-managed two student plays during the summer arts festival.

同義詞
  • coordinate

    broader and less theatre-specific; it does not clearly suggest stage-manager duties

  • run

    informal and very general; backstage staff may say they run a show

  • cue

    narrower; it focuses on giving timing signals rather than managing the whole performance

文法句型

stage-manage + play / production / performance

stage-manage + show / tour

用法筆記

In this theatre sense, the object is the production itself. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about shaping public opinion rather than running cues and backstage timing.

常見錯誤

❌Mina stage-managed the lead role in our play.
✅Mina played the lead role in our play.
💡stage-manage means running the show backstage, not acting in it.