‘The great thing about Stage Management is that we really are at the centre of the communication of the development of a show. So you get to liaise and have interactions with everyone involved in the production, right from the director to all the technicians, to the production team, to the actors.’

Stage Manager

Role

The Stage Manager is in charge of everything on and off stage during performances, often working under pressure to ensure the production runs smoothly and to the highest possible standard. A typical career path to Stage Manager progresses from Assistant Stage Manager to Deputy Stage Manager, Stage Managers often continuing to become Company Stage Managers or Production Managers.

Key Skills

Excellent communication, including people skills.
Excellent time-management.
Calmness, particularly when working under pressure.
Excelling at problem solving and use of initiative.
Organisation and efficiency.
Diplomacy and a sense of humour.

Stage Management Courses

BA (Hons) Theatre Practice - Stage Management – Central School of Speech and Drama Click Here
Foundation Degree in Technical Theatre & Stage Management- Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Click Here
Foundation Degree in Stage Management & Technical Theatre – London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art Click Here
Technical Theatre – Stage Management – Guildhall School of Music and Drama Click Here
BA (Hons) Theatre Production Arts – Mountview Academy of Performing Arts Click Here
BA (Hons) Stage Management – Rose Bruford College Click Here
Foundation Degree in Stage Management & Technical Theatre – Academy of Live and Recorded Arts Click Here
BA (Hons) Professional Stage Management – Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Click Here
BA (Hons) Stage Management & Technical Theatre– The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Click Here
BA (Hons) Stage Management – Birmingham City University Click Here
Foundation Degree in Stage Management and Technical Theatre – Newcastle College Click Here

Other courses are available. Those above represent a sample from various drama schools and universities.

Responsibilities

Scheduling rehearsals, including daily call times.
Marking-out the set on the rehearsal room floor.
Sourcing rehearsal furniture and props.
Preparing and circulating daily rehearsal notes.
Liaising with the Producer and/or Production Manager regarding budgets and schedules.
Monitoring working hours, ensuring cast and crew take necessary breaks, and documenting this on time-sheets.
Liaising with in-house technicians at venues, especially when touring productions.
Supervising get-ins and get-outs at venues.
Operating sound and/or lights on smaller productions, including relighting shows on tours.
Preparing and circulating show reports for each performance.

Training