stage-manage

American  

[steyj-man-ij] / ˈsteɪdʒˌmæn ɪdʒ /

verb (used with object)

stage-managed, stage-managing

1. to work as a stage manager for.

   When he wasn't acting, he stage-managed a repertory theater.

2. to arrange or stage in order to produce a theatrical or spectacular effect.

   The clients were most impressed with the way she stage-managed the whole presentation.

3. to arrange or direct unobtrusively or in secret.

   He stage-managed Mediterranean black-market operations from his secluded villa on the Riviera.

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verb (used without object)

stage-managed, stage-managing

1. to work as a stage manager.

stage-manage British  

verb

1. to work as stage manager for (a play, etc)

2. (tr) to arrange, present, or supervise from behind the scenes

   to stage-manage a campaign

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Etymology

Origin of stage-manage

First recorded in 1875–80; back formation from stage manager

Example Sentences

Mort Engelberg, a movie producer behind such hits as “Smokey and the Bandit” and “The Big Easy,” who drew on his Hollywood expertise to stage-manage appearances for politicians, notably a bus tour for Bill Clinton and Al Gore following the 1992 Democratic convention, died on Saturday at a hospital in Los Angeles.

From New York Times

“This motley crew try so hard to stage-manage this moment together because they love her so much and want her to succeed, and it’s just so sweet,” explained Marshall.

From Los Angeles Times

But an outburst at a news conference Tuesday showed the country is struggling to stage-manage the global event and keep the lid on domestic controversies.

From Washington Post

Paul Hourican denies that spontaneity has been replaced with major labels using the platform to stage-manage certain songs and trends.

From BBC

To stage-manage what appeared on the Chinese internet early this year, the authorities issued strict commands on the content and tone of news coverage, directed paid trolls to inundate social media with party-line blather and deployed security forces to muzzle unsanctioned voices.

From New York Times