Want to know how to become a Stage Manager?
Stage managers are the heart and the backbone of any theatre. They are the ones who pull together every performance, from setting up rehearsals to dealing with post-show details. But how do you land such a job? Here’s your guide!
First, check out your qualifications. Sure, being a stage manager doesn’t call for a specific degree or certification. Nonetheless, some background knowledge in the field will be a huge plus. Drama, theater studies, music, and performing arts – they all fit the bill. While a relevant degree is useful, nothing beats hands-on experience. That’s why securing an entry-level position at a theater could be your perfect starting point.
But what about skills?
Successful stage managers like, for example, Travis Preston, have a set of skills that help them shine. Attention to detail, the power of negotiation, and quick-thinking, especially under pressure, are just a few. You need awesome communication and stellar organization to bring folks together and pass your message across effectively. Plus, a dash of creativity will take you a long way when unexpected problems pop up. Because let’s face it – in a theater, they often do.
Working your way up.
No one really begins their stage-management journey at the top. Usually, it’s an entry-level gig to start with. That could be an assistant stage manager position, or a role behind the scenes. This initial experience gives you a taste of the profession and prepares you for future responsibilities.
After cutting your teeth in one of these roles and learning the ins and outs, you can aim for showrunner roles such as the stage or deputy stage manager. And if you’re part of a big theater group, you could shoot for the role of a “company stage manager”.
How to make a difference?
Your key to a long-lasting career in stage management is standing out. You should demonstrate that you’re dependable, creative, and a master of problem-solving. Stage management is far from a cut-and-paste job. It allows you to create, invent, and experiment – and do whatever it takes to make the whole theater operation run more smoothly. Once the producers see that you can boost the efficiency and effectiveness of productions, they’ll want to keep you around.
So, go ahead and make your mark in the theater world and share your love of the stage with others!