What Does a Stage Manager Do? (And How to Become One)
If you love the theatre, but don’t necessarily want to work as an actor, singer or other type of performer, the great news is that you still have a plethora of other options. There’s technical theatre, where you put together lighting displays, ensure that the music plays on cue, design and build sets, and even construct the costumes. In addition, there are other positions, like a stage manager, where you’re basically in charge of making sure that rehearsals and the main performance go as planned.
Want to learn more about this behind-the-scenes profession? Keep reading!
What Does a Stage Manager Do?
A stage manager lives up to their title by actually managing everything that goes on during a theatre performance or rehearsal. You’ll find stage managers:
- Ensuring that the stage crew is doing their job
- Finding more people to work on the stage crew, should they be needed
- Tracking changes made during rehearsals
- Setting up the rehearsal schedule and ensuring that everyone attends
- Calling out cues when needed
- Tracking everything from cues to line changes in the master version of the script
- Ensuring that the props are in place before a rehearsal or performance
- Working with the set design team, lighting crew, music crew and costume designers to make sure that everything meets its deadline and is as envisioned by the director
- Running rehearsals as needed
- Running the entire production during a live performance
These are just a few examples. Stage managers have a fairly complex job, but they get to do what they love: work in theatre.
How Can You Become a Stage Manager?
Becoming a stage manager requires determination and plenty of experience. There are many pathways to earning the position, but many include:
- A Degree in Theatre – Whether you major in standard theatre, musical theatre or technical theatre, among other options, a college degree is one of the ways to get a job as a stage manager. For example, Dean College offers a bachelor’s degree in Theatre with several different specializations, so you’ll have plenty of pathways to go down.
- Live Theatre Experience – You can get live theatre experience from many different places. Community theatre programs always need help, especially if they are run by very small non-profit organizations. Other options, like school-based theatre groups, can also provide plenty of training for future stage managers.
- An Internship in the Field – While you’re in college, you can learn a lot about working behind the scenes at a theatre company, as well as possibly earn school credits, by interning in the field. Many theatre companies provide internships to students who want to someday become stage managers, allowing them to work as the assistants to those who have this significant role.
Do You Want to Become a Stage Manager?
If you answered “yes” to this question, then you can begin your exciting journey with a degree in Theatre from Dean College. Consider auditioning for our program and then taking advantage of all our live performances in order to gain the valuable experience that you’ll need to jumpstart your career.