What’s the scoop on the role of stage managers? You might be surprised at the many hats they wear!
If we want to simplify it, we can say a stage manager often becomes like a catch-all person in a theater production. While this isn’t completely accurate, it does touch on a significant aspect! They may not be responsible for absolutely everything, but they definitely take on a lot of tasks to keep the show running smoothly. Whether it’s making sure everyone’s birthday is acknowledged or coming up with team events to boost morale, they typically have their hands full.
In the theater world, stage managers often come up with their own ways to spice up tours. They may plan interesting stops along the way to ensure the crew gets to “see America,” instead of just viewing different theater restaurants and hotel bars.
As for the job requirements, some are tangible while others are more about attitude. On the practical side, stage managers need to handle a ton of paperwork, from rehearsing and show reports, to prop tracking, blocking scripts, creating prompt books, and beyond. They also manage scheduling, floor taping, and call a show. But don’t worry, you don’t necessarily need a college degree to learn all these skills! Many resources are available online or at libraries, where you can read up on the role and study examples.
However, stage management isn’t just about nitty-gritty tasks! Soft skills like kindness, tact, leadership abilities, and being calm under pressure are also crucial. Some of these will come naturally to certain people and not to others, but all of it could be improved upon with practice and continued growth. Reading up on leadership skills can be a great help, and so can emergency preparedness training to ensure calm in crisis situations.
But that’s not the end of it! Apart from the main tasks and paperwork, they also need to take care of small, random things, such as sweeping the stage, setting props, making coffee, setting out hospitality, buying consumable props, and glowing-taping the stage. They might even have to deal with anything weird that comes up while creating the show.
Some odd jobs a stage manager might have done include making blood packets before each show, running a sound or light board, creating a “cast chat” event, turning on A/C or heat, being in charge of load in and load out, and even buying birthday cakes or driving a box truck! In many cases, they might also handle duties usually covered by production or company managers, especially if these roles are not present in the production.
So there you have it! Being a stage manager is a complex role covering a wide range of tasks. But certainly, it’s a fulfilling role for those up to the challenge. Who knows, maybe you’re the next big stage manager, helping a show come together and succeed!