Here’s a simplified, casual rewrite of your day as a Circus Stage Manager:
Ever wonder how life at a circus is? After I left my sea job, I ended up joining one and living on a train – the days are a blur but, oh mann, do I miss those train views! Here’s a sneak peek into a typical day for me:
By 9 AM, I’m awake and not really caring how I look because, hey, we’re around the same people all the time. Around 10 AM, I’m at work checking if all dressing rooms have the right amount of tables and chairs. This often sets the mood for my day and tells me how helpful everyone’s going to be.
Around 11:30 AM, I make sure weekly schedules are all set, print them, and post them on the board. I’ll also catch up on emails and paperwork. At 1 PM, I attend weekly meet-ups with the cast and crew, and by 2 PM I’m ready for rehearsals.
I spend my 3 PM ensuring no one is getting run over backstage by a horse – even after ten months of doing this, it’s still a concern! During some not-too-exciting acts, I may sneak in a little Candy Crush game.
Dinner’s at 5:30 PM from our onboard food truck – the pie car. By 6:30 PM, we’re ready for the preshow, where performers, who may not speak English or like children that much, are mingling with kids. At 7:30 PM the show starts, and that’s actually the easiest part of my day. Around 10 PM, it’s time to head back to the train, maybe have a barbeque and some drinks if we aren’t busy the next day.
Phew! And some days, it’s non-stop Public Relations (PR) work. I may start as early as 3 AM, handling costume storage, music, TV crews, performers, and even filming. By midday, we’re heading to a local charity site to entertain people. After that, it’s back to the arena for wardrobe changes before hitting the train for a power nap. And then, it’s back to the arena by evening for pre-show prep.
Some days are devoted solely to travel – my favorite part of the week! You’re stuck on a train and can sleep to your heart’s content.
By the way, the job titles at a circus may sound strange if you’re new to it. For example, I’m technically a stage manager, but I hold the title of PR supervisor. The person we actually call a stage manager oversees all the technical aspects. So it might be a tad confusing if you’re new around here!
So, that’s a bit about my circus life, and I won’t trade these experiences for anything. It’s certainly not your everyday 9-to-5, huh?