---
url: "https://docs.on-book.app/pro/user/features/performance.md"
description: "Use the Performance workspace for show calling with script text access and a paper fallback."
requires: [scriptTextAccess]
---

# Live Performance & Show Calling

> **Requires script text access.** Keep a paper calling script available for performance fallback.

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![Performance Log — On Book Pro](../../assets/screenshots/performance/performance-hero.png)

## Overview

The Performance workspace gives Stage Managers a dedicated show-calling interface designed for the unique demands of live performance. It features a forced dark mode with high-contrast visuals, large-font cue cards, a show clock, and keyboard shortcuts — everything you need to call a show from the booth.

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## Getting Started

### Prerequisites

* **Placed cues**: You need cues anchored in the [Digital Prompt Book](./prompt-book.md) first. The performance workspace derives its cue sequence from your placed prompt book cues.
* **Permission**: You need the **CALL\_SHOW** permission (assigned to Owner and Stage Manager roles by default).
* **Script text access**: The project must have `scriptTextAccess` enabled.

### Opening the Performance Workspace

Navigate to the **Performance** workspace from the sidebar. The workspace loads in forced dark mode with amber/green visuals optimized for low-light environments.

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## Calling a Show

### 1. Initialize

When you enter the Performance workspace, your cue sequence is automatically derived from the placed cues in your prompt book, ordered by their position in the script.

### 2. Lock And Refresh

Before a run, use **Lock for Show** when you are ready to protect the calling state. If prompt-book cues changed, use **Refresh Cues** before starting.

### 3. Start the Show

Click **Start Show**. The show clock begins tracking elapsed time.

### 4. Call Cues

Each cue card shows:

* **Department badge** (color-coded: blue=LX, green=SQ, purple=FS, amber=DECK)
* **Cue label** (e.g., "LX Q15")
* **Script context** (3–5 lines of dialogue around the cue's anchor point)

The current cue is displayed prominently with a large **GO** button. The next cue previews below it.

### 5. Execute

| Action | Button | Keyboard |
|--------|--------|----------|
| **GO** (fire current cue) | Green GO button | `Space` or `Enter` |
| **Skip** (advance without firing) | Skip button | `→` Right Arrow |
| **Back** (return to previous cue) | Back button | `←` Left Arrow |

When you fire a cue, it records the exact timestamp and advances to the next cue.

### 6. Show Flow Controls

* **Add Marker**: Record act breaks, intermissions, or tech stops at any point
* **Start/End Intermission**: Track intermission duration separately
* **Quick Notes**: Add timestamped text notes during the show ("Late entrance Act 2", "Missed cue LX Q23")
* **End Show**: Stop the clock and save the complete performance log

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## Show Clock

The show clock displays:

* **Wall clock** — current time (for coordinating with FOH and backstage)
* **Elapsed time** — how long the show has been running (monospace font for easy reading)

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## Auto-Save

During a live show, your performance data is automatically saved as a **draft** to Firestore every 60 seconds. If something goes wrong (browser crash, power loss), your cue timing and notes are preserved.

When you click **End Show**, the complete log is saved permanently. If the app shows pending offline writes, keep the browser open until it can reconnect and sync.

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## Performance Log

Each saved performance includes:

* Start and end timestamps
* Every fired cue with exact timing
* Skipped cues
* Show markers (act breaks, intermissions)
* Quick notes with timestamps
* Draft vs. completed status

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## Visual Design

The Performance workspace uses a completely different visual treatment from the rest of the app:

* **Forced dark mode** — always dark, regardless of your system preference
* **Amber accents** — warm, high-contrast colors that won't blind you in a dark booth
* **Green GO button** — unmistakable action target
* **Red for warnings** — clear visual hierarchy
* **Monospace clock** — easy to read at a glance
* **Department borders** — each cue card has a left border color matching its department

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## Tips

* **Practice with a dry run** — use the performance workspace during a tech rehearsal to get comfortable with the interface before opening night
* **Use keyboard shortcuts** — Space/Enter for GO is faster than clicking during a live show
* **Quick Notes are your friend** — jot down anything notable (late entrances, tech issues, timing adjustments) and review them post-show
* **Check your cue sequence** — if cues seem out of order, verify their anchor positions in the Prompt Book
* **Refresh after cue edits** — if prompt-book cues changed, refresh the Performance cue sequence before the run

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*Related: [Digital Prompt Book](./prompt-book.md) — place and manage cues before using the performance workspace.*