‘Off-Stage Cues’-Africa Blagrove
Stage management is one of the most important but quietest jobs within theatre. The role requires responsibilities that pulls the amazing theatre show that you all watch!
On the 21st of October, I held an informal interview with Africa whilst she was working on the show ‘Not Your Superwoman’ at The Bush Theatre in Shepard’s Bush as the ASM, (Assistant Stage Manager). This show captured the themes of motherhood, healing, struggle and hope, portrayed by Golda Rosheuvel and Letitia Wright.
Africa Blagrove
Africa Blagrove ventured into the performing arts industry as an actress, later striving as an Assistant Stage Manager professionally. Hints of administration glimmered when we were both in College, preparing for our final show of the year, ‘Annie’ , where the cast were assigned multiple roles in the making & managing of the musical. Africa was at the right hand of the director, cutting the script and managing props. She later scored a work placement with the Bob Marley musical, ‘Get Up!, Stand Up!’ which further sparked her light within Stage Management.
On the 22nd of January 2025, Africa started a TikTok account, sharing content all about BTS as a Stage Manager. This opened doors for many aspiring ASM’s and SM’s to flood to her comments and ask about her journey through the industry. As I have said before, Stage Management and many other BOH professions are often the most quiet roles behind the glitz and glamours of the actors on stage, performing. Africa has shared the insights of life as a Stage Manager and what her responsibilities include such as prop-making.
Many of her audience, including myself, was found fascinated by her creativity when crafting various props across most of her shows! Props are what brings the performance from imagination to life and Africa prides in creating realistic pieces that holds the weight of the message the story proposes. On her TikTok page, she showcases the process behind the finished & polished props from the very beginning, filming how it all started weeks before the show hit the main stage. This is more than just a job, this is love and passion.
Expanding the world of Stage Management, Africa, as well as myself, was invited to a talk panel on creative careers during Black History Month, hosted at/by Reading University. She shed light on her upbringing within the creative industry as well as her hurdles and barrier-breaking as a black woman in the industry. Roles like Stage Management were predominantly filled with white professionals, even on occasions where a play would be written based on ethnic cultures. Africa humbly continues to take up space within these areas and providing access to young creatives, letting them know that they can be who they want to be, it is not impossible and someone has to be the first to break it, so it might as as well be you.
The questions I had prepared for Africa, are some of the questions you may have been pondering yourself :
Tell me about where we are! Which theatre and what show?
How are you liking this show?
What is your favourite show you’ve worked on?
Could you give us a little tour of your backstage work station?
Is prop-making a part of a Stage Manager’s duty?
Can you count how many props you’ve made from the beginning of your career to now?
I’ve noticed that you document on TikTok about creating props and running shows, can you tell me more about that?
Would you say you’re a content creator?
Do you see yourself continuing your profession as Stage Manager in 5 years?
What is something that is not commonly known about Stage Management?
Africa’s response is up now on our YouTube Channel, as she gives us a tour backstage on the Bush Theatre’s ‘Not Your Superwoman’!
Want to discover more? Visit our ‘Dscver The Magic Within’ page to get to know other inspiring, creative independent artists who have made big movements in their careers this year and are thriving for more next year! Find them on our Artist Highlight.
