The processes of rehearsal for a production are often shrouded in mystery and has been described as: “making a public display of what is most private and intimate about being human” (Perry 2001: 27). Rehearsals are an integral component of every production, be it large or small, be it destined for an open run on Broadway or a one off performance by a local school or community group. Professional stage managers often have the benefit of either tertiary training or years of mentorship, while in educational settings the role often falls upon an organised individual with an interest in the processes of theatre making. This article briefly touches upon several of the key the influences of the stage manager’s processes which are examined through two very different popular theatre productions within two different types of educational settings: a primary school (Bugsy Malone); and a tertiary training institution (A Midsummer Night's Dream).