> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stagemic.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Selecting and Advancing Scenes

The current scene determines which handovers and mic allocations appear on connected backstage displays.

You can select it manually in StageMic or change it using OSC.

## Selecting a scene manually

Choose a scene from the **Current scene** dropdown near the top of the editor.

Connected displays update to show that scene’s:

* Handovers.
* Handover completion states.
* Current mic allocations.

The dropdown displays the scene names entered in Production setup.

Selecting a scene does not change the allocation plan or mark any handovers completed.

## Advancing to the next scene

Select **Next scene →** to move forward one scene in production order.

If no scene is selected, the button selects the first scene. At the final scene, it does not advance further.

Each activation advances once. Pressing it twice moves forward twice, so avoid repeated clicks while waiting for a display to update.

## Moving backwards or jumping

Use the dropdown to return to an earlier scene or jump to another part of the show.

Completion states are retained when navigating. Returning to a scene shows its existing ticks; it does not start that scene’s handovers again.

Use **Reset all completions** in Backstage swaps before a new performance.

## OSC control

StageMic can follow scene messages sent by QLab or another compatible OSC controller.

The next-scene message is:

```text theme={null}
/stagemic/scene/go/next
```

Send it without arguments. It behaves like the Next scene button.

You can also select a specific scene using its individual OSC address. Select the scene in StageMic, then copy its reference message from **Network setup**.

Individual scene addresses use stable identifiers and remain attached to their scenes when renamed or reordered.

See [OSC Dictionary](/osc-dictionary) and [QLab Integration](/q-lab-integration).

## Choosing when to advance

Advance at the point when you want the crew to see the next scene’s changes.

For example, a cue at the end of one scene can select the following scene, displaying the handovers needed for the transition.

StageMic uses your scene selection directly. It does not determine whether a dramatic scene has finished or whether every handover has physically happened.

Agree the cue timing with your crew and test it during rehearsal.

## Keeping control in sync

If you use next-scene OSC messages, a missed or repeated cue can put StageMic out of sequence.

Use specific scene messages at reference points, such as the start of the show or after the interval. These select the intended scene directly.

You can also correct the current scene manually using the dropdown.

After correcting it, check that the next cue will advance to the expected scene.

## Incomplete-handover alerts

If enabled, StageMic checks for pending handovers when moving forward exactly one scene.

Alerts do not block the scene change.

See [Incomplete Handover Alerts](/incomplete-handover-alerts).


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