How to Host! (Stage Event)
By: Mackie

Way to GO!!!  You've decided that you want to host a Stage Event.  That's a great first step!  You can see how to schedule it in my "How to Host- Booking It" section

There are plenty of stages available for this type of event. Some are with podiums some do not.. Diamond Sands, Gecko and Spice Slope are a few I often use.. Take a tour of the various stages before you book to find one you feel comfortable at. But do know that there are different types of functionalities to different stages.. Ootay and Manoa’s Toe for example are not regular stages. These are for game shows; the audience does not have the function to participate. There are 3 podiums: One on each side of the host with buzzer options.  Look for the segment on Game show hosting for more information on these type stages. Tiki and South Ridge are meant for Talk Shows. The audience does not have 'buzzin functionality and, having that couch up there unoccupied just begs for someone to sit there distracting not only you but the guests as well

There... now. Go schedule it and we'll continue.  You see that shiny button. Go ahead, click away ;)

Stage Event functionalities

Stage has a MC spot and a guest spot to stand in.

Audience (holds 18 at most, depending on your privileges) 6 seats on each side  6 red and 6 blue

Host has special functionalities as the MC   You just gotta see 'comehere 

Audience by using their action bar has special functionalities in their seats as well. They can 'buzzin

Action bar:  If it doesn't automatically pop up when you sit down, go to your toolbar>People>Action bar and it will pop up then. You want the tab at "meeting"

'buzzin :  this emote only works AFTER the host activates it and it only works for one member per activation

mics:  The MC can offer the mic to an audience member in a seat by hovering the mouse over that avie.. choosing to "Look at" and then on the action bar 'givemic this will stand that avie up and make their otherwise semitransparent chat bubbles more opaque and allow all members in event to read their bubbles. The audience member when finished can either wait for the MC to 'takemic or use their action bar to 'givemic.

The MC can hand out up to 7 mics at once.

Types of events I hold at stages:

• Games
• Conversations
• Classes

Games

Now, it is your decision on how rigid you want to be in the rules and what you want to give as prizes if you are doing a game. I am only going to advise you that I have found most enjoyment with games where the prizes are small.. Sure. my friends tease me that they have more drinks in There than at home, but hey.. It’s easy.  If people know that the prize is small the competition and agitation level is smaller as well. :D  You don't EVEN want to see the wrath of an angry trivia fiend.  :O  :D

Conversations

A moderated conversation works well at a stage.  An example is my Convo Event called "Battle of the Sexes".  This event is simply a relaxed, fun debate about the differences of opinion between the sexes.  :D   I have the men sit in the blue seats and the women sit in the red. I offer up a topic if they don't already have one, and they take turns discussing their views. I rarely have to moderate, only hand mics and generate objective remarks to calm a heated discussion heading too far ;)  You know how tense this *could* be.. Your job is to keep it from becoming a bash and keep it a constructive discussion. Topics we have discussed have ranged from: "How much is too much? (Gifts)"  "How to buy Lingerie", "Chivalry, Flirting and Genuineness"  The list goes on. Remember though, too.. That There, in public arenas is a PG-13 world. Talk of sex, violence and such are tolerated to the extent that it stay appropriate. You must keep that in place as a MC.

Classes

Teaching a class is another event that one can host at a stage. It is for the most part less interactive between the host and the guests at first.  The host will discuss/teach what it is they are advertising to teach then it is a good idea to offer up the mics to questions from the audience. Audience members can 'raisehand from their action bar to let the teacher know they have a question/statement.  How to Host! is an example of this.;)  As a host of this I lay out tools that I will be covering in the event and allow the members to delve into the books in this case while I greet and get everyone situated.

In all events planning is very important. Have your game equipment ready. Have your prizes in your inventory before you arrive to the event. Show professionalism in all you say and do.

Thats it. Done...  You CAN do this.