A Peek into the Life of a Children’s Theater Stage Manager on Tour
Author: Mel @ brokeGIRLrich / Date: June 1, 2015
Picture this: you’re a stage manager, traveling with a children’s theater company around the country. Your job is anything but boring, because there are three completely different types of days you experience.
Firstly, you get some days off. Yes, you heard right! And they’re fab. On average, you get one free day every week or two, and sometimes even more at the end of the tour. What you do on these days depends on where you are – whether it’s BBQ hunting in Texas or enjoying water parks in Florida.
Secondly, there are travel days. You hop in the van and hit the road, following legal driving hours for our truck, so usually no more than 12 hours of travel a day, tops.
Last but not least, there are workdays. Picture an average workday. Keep in mind I worked with children’s theater, but other types of stage productions would be different.
Here’s how an average workday goes:
4:00 AM: Rise and shine. Yes, you heard right, 4:00 AM.
4:40 AM: Van’s ready to go. You gather the cast, jump in the van, and head to the theater.
5:00 AM: Time to set up the stage.
7:30 AM: Now, it’s time to focus the lights.
9:00 AM: Take a brief pause for breakfast and, at the beginning of the tour, catch up on emails.
10:00 AM: Time for show preps. Ensure proper seating arrangements, light checks and make sure the cast is easily accessible.
11:00 AM: The doors open for the audience.
11:30 AM: It’s showtime.
1:00 PM: Lunchtime.
1:30 PM: Prepare for the second show.
2:30 PM: Doors open up again.
3:00 PM: Second show.
4:30 PM: Begin packing up.
6:30 PM: Finish packing up and proceed to the next city.
9:30 PM: Check into a hotel, send out the reports on the show and then try to get some much-needed rest.
With one show staple, the days are better, and you’ve got the morning free. Worst-case scenario? A third show added to the mix, extending the workday until around 8:30 PM.
But don’t get me wrong – this is one of my favorite jobs. Hearing the delighted shouts from the kids during the show makes the early starts worth it. From putting on Off-Broadway productions or working in a circus or on a cruise ship, every day brings a new excitement. No day is too typical or boring in stage management!