When you brush your teeth in the morning, they’re working. The cast shouldn't set foot on the stage unless you would walk on it barefoot. a Study.com College Advisor at the end of the process. Without a great stage manager, rehearsals go awry, cues don’t happen, and the show grinds to a halt. “You have to be assertive but you can’t be mean-spirited. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised. As the show moves to the actual stage, the demands of the stage manager increase. Retrieved from https://study.com/articles/Stage_Manager_Duties_Education_Requirements_and_Career_Info.html. He suggests that the best way to get a job is to major in theatre tech and to reach out to the industry afterward because “it shows you’re serious about the business. Correspondence between the Music Director and Guest Conductors about setups for different pieces, talking to Principals of each section about their needs.”. During the performance, you’ll run the show behind the scenes, making sure actors know when they need to go on stage, and handling any problems with costumes, props, lighting and sound. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. Other degrees that we often see on stage manager resumes include high school diploma degrees or master's degree degrees. is a must. They underestimate the sacrifice in one’s personal life that the job requires. Inspect the set daily for potential problems. There is no absolute degree requirement for a stage manager position, but as in many fields, post-secondary education can only help one's chances in the job market. Kerins’ path started as a Stagehand in high school and college, followed by an apprenticeship. He adds that his “liberal arts degree really helped me as a Stage Manager because it taught me how to write” and project a professional appearance when corresponding via email, etc. Never, Never yell. During the performance the stage manager 'calls' the show, alerting actors and crew of upcoming changes via a prompt script that he or she is responsible for maintaining. “Forget about weekends and holidays. They also are the director's representative during performances, making sure that the production runs smoothly. It’s a tough business, but it’s what you know so you just roll with it.”. “Go to college and major in theatre tech.”. To become a Stagehand, one must serve an apprenticeship, earn all the required certifications and take a written test. Their responsibilities include costume and set design, installing lights, rigging, sound equipment, and scenery, and set building for events in parks, stadiums, arenas, and other places. Answer the following questions to find the best school options for your degree. The rare exception to this show-hopping existence is permanent work in regional theater. You “need to understand the technical end like how to build a platform or rearrange a setup.”. The type of person who would make a good Stage Manager is “a Stagehand in the trade who’s able to learn how to do advance work,” learning through “trial and error, hard work, and who can overcome any fear of failure.” Kerins says, “it’s not an artistic profession by any means. If you’re looking for your next stage manager, look … Stage Manager salaries can range from $29,000 to $67,000. People ask me what I do and it’s hard to answer unless you’re in the business.”. Want expert, personalized advice that can save you a lot of time and money? Stage managers typically provide practical and organizational support to the director, actors, designers, stage crew and technicians throughout the production process. The Stage Manager has a wide number and variety of responsibilities, which can be broken down into three primary categories: handling the majority of the administrative duties related to a production, assisting the director during rehearsals, and being responsible for all backstage activity once the show opens.. Expectations. How Much Does a Burger King Manager Make? These agreements expire every 3-5 years and then a new one has to be negotiated. Substance Abuse Counselor: Training Requirements and Career Options. … The listings below may include sponsored content but are popular choices among our users. 16 Jan 2021 accessed. Legible handwriting is a must, as the master script must be easy to read by another person should the stage manager fall ill and require a replacement. Attend all rehearsals and performances. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is the best resource for Stagehands and Stage Managers. Careers for People with a Master's Degree in Human Ecology, Communications Manager: Job Description, Duties and Requirement, City Manager: Job Description, Duties & Salary, Cyber Security Analyst: Salary, Job Description & Duties. A common way is to take a diploma, foundation degree or degree in stage management, or a closely related subject. 147 theater stage manager jobs available. This includes personalizing content and advertising. Stage management is the position within a production that organizes and coordinates all theatrical departments during rehearsals then runs the show during performances. Not only does a degree increase employability within a competitive market, but classes within a theater program can teach valuable skills in topics such as stage management, directing and human resources in theater. If the Stage Manager loses it, everyone will panic. Begin your preparations before your very first production meeting, jotting … The job begins before the production's first rehearsal. The Stage Manager is the head of the stage crew, so advancement in this position would mean getting hired by a more prestigious venue or receiving a boost in wages. All rights reserved. In fact, many stage manager jobs require experience in a role such as assistant stage manager. During that time, the stage manager acts as the representative of the director as well as a liaison between the cast and crew and the production’s management. Learn the trade and then reach out with credentials.” The Stagehands’ union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) can be helpful in this search. He’s either “working on the week coming up or onstage with the guys,” who are “doing things per my direction.” When he’s on stage he’s helping “set chorus risers, set recording mics,” setting up the “red carpet and photo walls for opening night, all before 7 pm. Stage Managers work with Stagehands, Music Directors, Conductors, and Section Members. The average yearly earnings for a Stage Manager are approximately $54,000. Stage Manager Duties A stage manager encompasses a whole show from the production meetings to the rehearsal period, opening night and beyond. Stage Manager Job Description Template. The role of the stage manager is a vital one in the theatrical process. “They can’t really be laid back” because of the demands of the profession. The more you understand design, the easier job you’ll have as a stage manager maintaining a designer’s intent. Find Schools. A Stage Manager makes sure the day-to-day operations of a concert hall or other musical venue run smoothly. Pick another answer! International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Work on developing technical as well as people skills. There are no specific qualifications required to become a Stage Manager. A stage manager is the linchpin of a theater production, the liaison between the actors on the stage and all of the behind-the-scenes crews who bring a script to life. Study.com College Advisor that can help you compare costs and options. This is rarely a full time position, and many stage managers work job-to-job. Kelly Kerins of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra describes his job as doing a lot of “advance work. He then conveys this info to the Stagehands, who then put together the requested setups. “It’s not like the building trades where it’s specific to one” skill set such as welding, he says. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. As a stage manager, you’ll act as a go-between, liaising with the technical crew, the director and all of the other backstage and front-of-house staff. Your fingers are bloody. How to Sing Better: Pro Advice to Improve Your Voice, The 7 Best (and Most Prestigious) Music Conservatories in America, Home Recording Studio Design: 5 Essential Steps to Build a Quality Studio, Best Free DAW 2021: Pro Reviewed for Producers on a Budget, Best DAWs: Ultimate Music Production Software Picks for 2021, The 7 Best MIDI Controllers for Home Music Production in 2021. Safety becomes a major concern when sets, lighting and rigging come into play, as do an additional batch of cues that the stage manager is responsible for. Learn how to do it gracefully. A baccalaureate degree … Get a quick view of the requirements as well as... A master's degree program could lead to a number of managerial careers. To become a stage manager you usually need to complete a VET qualification. People often ask if opening night is going to be fun for the Stage Manager. We are searching for a strong and dependable Stagehand to join our production company. What do I need to do to become a stage manager? (2019, Sep 10 of publication). “People skills by far,” are the most important skills for a Stage Manager to have, however. You Will Fail. While not mandatory, a degree in theater can be valuable to an aspiring stage manager. “It’s a challenging business,” he says, but “they’re an amazing bunch.” In show business, he says “we’re like a weird cult” because “you have to put work first.” To make all this happen, Stage Managers work with Stagehands, Music Directors, Conductors, and Musicians. © 2021 CareersInMusic.com | All Rights Reserved | Content may not be duplicated without express written permission. Is a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice Worth It? His work has received mentions from PBS and the Chicago Tribune. A: To become a production stage manager, you can either have formal education qualifications, like a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in the arts, or have completed an internship or apprenticeship to learn your job responsibilities and duties. “Fun is never in your mind,” Kerins says. When it comes to the most important skills required to be a production stage manager, we found that a lot of resumes listed 14.7% of production stage managers included contact sheets, while 8.8% of resumes included stage management, and 7.1% of resumes included design staff. Additionally, a working knowledge of sets, costumes and lighting is advantageous to effectively act as a liaison between the myriad crews in backstage production. Web. You’ll fail in very functional things like … As any professional stage manager will tell you, there’s no single, right way to navigate the road to success. Inform the cast and crew a half hour before that the house opens. "Stage Manager Duties, Education Requirements and Career Info." The job involves making “big stage changes in front of an audience,” and using skills like Auto CAD and figuring out dimensions. “Stage Managers of major American symphonies are tech-based rather than musical-based,” Kerins says, so a deep knowledge of music isn’t necessary, although some Stage Managers in the opera world do read music. Payscale.com reported in August 2019 that stage managers' median salary was $41,306. Typically, stage managers work in a team and delegate their duties according to each member's particular strengths. According to the Stage Manager's Association, most beginning stage managers should expect to spend a few years becoming established enough in the industry to rely solely on stage managing jobs for income (www.stagemanagers.org). All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Stage Managers work behind-the-scenes to bring productions to life. This can include attending production meetings, running rehearsals, clerical organization, and insuring the smooth execution of the performances. “Attention to detail. The … Apply to Stage Manager, Shop Manager, Studio Manager and more! How Much Does a Whataburger Manager Make? Study.com, 10 Sep 2019 published. He advises that aspiring Stage Managers “go to college and major in theatre tech,” especially because “at college, you get all the necessary certifications.” For example, to build scaffolding, stage crew must have a working knowledge and experience in the process, which they prove through a scaffolding certification. Curriculum, relevancy of sample programs, and outcomes will vary by school. Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics **PayScale.com. Wind Energy Analyst: Job Description & Salary, Behavioral Health Education Training and Course Information, Health Care Aide Vocational School Diploma Overview, Michigan Certification Requirements for Art Teachers, Studio Arts Career Options and Education Requirements, Careers Working with Small Animals Education and Career Info. He or she may well be looking for another job at the same time, knowing that the current show isn't going to run forever. A lot. “Some of my guys are really good electricians, some are excellent audio men. In addition to excellent management skills, a stage manager must have an understanding of any technical issues that might arise, as well as the confidence to offer artistic input, criticism and direction to performers and stagehands. Every section has different needs. Stage Managers can be paid hourly, by contract, or through a collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union, IATSE. “The artists have to deal with us, too,” he says. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact … They’re continuously trying to start one [production] while finishing another one.”. He also served as the President of IATSE Local 2. Connect with Although a formal education is not a requirement to become a stage manager, earning a bachelor's degree in theater is recommended. Then count down "20 … Responsibilities of the Stage Manager As the Stage Manager, you are responsible for conveying current safety requirements to all production crew members, for providing guidance for meeting IIPP goals, and for ensuring that key department heads meet their IIPP responsibilities. A Stagehand by trade, he worked as the symphony’s Stage Manager for twenty years, managing thirty-five tours and traveling nearly everywhere in the world. When you go to bed at night, they’re working. You’ve moved on. Instead, stage managers work on one show at a time. For many, work as a Stagehand is a family tradition, and they start learning the necessary skills as teenagers by helping out on projects that their fathers and grandfathers are working on and that need extra help. Stagehand Job Description Template. Kerins says, “they spend their whole lives working. We’re right there, front and center, with high-level performers” who can have varying needs and temperaments. All Stage Managers should know the difference between raising their voices to be heard and yelling. Stage managers must be experts at dealing with a variety of personality types and remain even-tempered even when others are excitable or upset, which happens frequently as the tension mounts near show times. It is the stage manager's job to function as the "clock." The importance of a thorough understanding of the nuances of performance can't be underestimated when managing a staged production. Everybody knows a little bit about everything because it all has to be done in a certain amount of time” because the scale and the fast pace of “productions demand the continuity of the people who facilitate them.” So a broad skill base in areas such as lighting, rigging, carpentry, and audio, etc. Apply to Project Manager, Distribution Manager, Associate Product Manager and more! A Stage Manager has to be able to take different “types of personalities and manage your job through it. What Can You Do With a Master's in Microbiology? It’s industrial and mechanical but you have to have the finesse” to pull off a large-scale artistic performance. Here are the seven main duties of a stage manager everyone involved in a production should know. Associate's and bachelor's degree programs in construction management provide students interested in studying construction... An admission advisor from each school can provide more info about: Get Started with University of Washington, Get Started with The University of the Arts. Always remain calm, cool and collected. People with the right skills can get into the field, however it can be useful to have training in any of the following subjects: Drama and Theatre Studies New theater stage manager careers are added daily on SimplyHired.com. ), Study.com / Stage Manager Duties, Education Requirements and Career Info. Read our in-depth guide to stage manager jobs include salary, working conditions, and key responsibilities. “Some days are eight hours, some days sixteen hours. No stage performance would ever make it to opening night without the guidance and supervision of a stage manager. Stage Managers and Stagehands have to “be kind of wound,” he says. Learn about the education and preparation needed to become a dairy manager. Enter zip: A: To become a stage manager, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in stage management or a related field and relevant work experience. After all, this is work—hard work. A student in a Bachelor's in Fine Arts program in Theater Management would find the following kinds of classes helpful toward a career in stage management: Stage manager positions are rarely full-time, salaried positions. That's right! 16 live jobs - Thinking of pursuing a career in stage management? Stage manager-- On Broadway, the second in command after the production stage manager; elsewhere, the boss. 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Keeping the cast on schedule, prompting forgotten lines, communicating between management, directors and the cast, and dealing with the administrative side of scheduling and maintaining contact information all fall under the stage manager's job description. Due to the quantity of responsibilities a stage manager has, he must be extremely organized and able to find information quickly. You can think you’ll be off at 6 pm and you don’t leave until 12 am because production isn’t going the way it should.”. Stage production workers handle the behind-the-scenes tasks that are necessary for putting on theatrical performances. by which they’re employed goes on tour. This place never stops. If an orchestra, for example, already has ten Stagehands on staff and they need more for a production, the Stage Manager can reach out to the union and they’ll send over more workers. This individual, or in some cases team of individuals, coordinates and organizes the production from beginning rehearsals and into production. 173 Theatre Stage Manager jobs available on Indeed.com. 53,032 Stage Manager jobs available on Indeed.com. It provides support, community, and can help find jobs. Once the show goes live, the stage manager plays a vital role in the smooth execution of each performance. Additionally, there are time when you may have to alter designs on tour to fit into different venues and you’ll use these skills to do … Stage managers truly make the show happen. Learn how to become a professional stage manager. Kerins cautions that he “wouldn’t advise people to think that they’ll become a Stage Manager by becoming a Stagehand,” although he himself is a Stagehand by trade and the two positions certainly do share some overlap. Assistant stage manager -- Members of the stage management team who may have specific responsibilities for some aspect of production, such as crew, or serve as overall assistants, doing what the stage manager assigns. Different Conductors have different preferences as to where to set the strings.” The job involves making “big stage changes in front of an audience,” and using skills like Auto CAD and figuring out dimensions. The Stage Manager Definitions. It’s the Carnegie Hall of the Midwest.”. You have to treat people the way you want to be treated.”. A bachelor degree program in stage management typically consists of academic coursework combined with hands-on theater experience. We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. An apprenticeship gives an aspiring Stagehand all the foundational knowledge of the trade. He says, “nobody really knows how intricate the stage is. Kerins says he travels with the orchestra, supervising and helping out with moving the symphony’s cargo onto trucks and into venues, making different pieces work on different stages. No detail is to mundane.”. False . CareersinMusic.comPO Box 43562Las Vegas, NV 89116United Statescim_mail( 'info', 'careersinmusic', 0, false ); This site and your information are secure. There is no absolute degree requirement for a stage manager position, but as in many fields, post-secondary education can only help one's chances in the job market. Safety First! What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do? Once the show has opened, the stage manager also is responsible for conducting and distributing performance reports for each department. Because the job does not require an education to enter, many stage managers learn their craft within a theater. “If it’s meant to be, it’s where you go,” he says. I don’t take anything for granted. Stage crew can be “unloading a truck in the middle of the night. The Stage Manager also helps coordinate the logistics of transportation, shipping, and customs when the orchestra, opera, etc. What Can You Do With a PhD in Criminal Justice? (Stage Manager Duties, Education Requirements and Career Info. Description. I never overestimate myself. The Stage Manager also helps coordinate the logistics of transportation, shipping, and customs when the orchestra, opera, etc. What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career? You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a stage manager. It is the stage manager's job to call the show, usually via headset. 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JOB SUMMARY: The Supply Chain Commercialization Manager is the primary liaison between the Supply Chain and Commercial groups, and the primary interface to external co-manufacturing partners…The role works closely with R&D, Marketing, Sales, and Finance to support new product design and commercialization under the stage gate process… How Much Does a Toys "R" Us Manager Make? Basic Job Description: The Assistant Stage Manager does assist the Production Stage Manager with all of their responsibilities. During rehearsals, the stage manager keeps vigilant notes about any changes to the script, artistic ideas that arise, technical issues that need to be communicated to the props or costume department, and any other details that need to be addressed in the course of developing the show. There are over 147 theater stage manager careers waiting for you to apply! A baccalaureate degree in theater performance or theater management would well prepare a graduate for a career as a stage manager. The Stage Manager is responsible for recording any stage details decided upon by the director and to ensure that all cast and crew members are aware of this information. “You can never live in the moment because you’re always in the next moment. He or she also coordinates when happens on stage. What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career? It's particularly important to study direction, since part of a stage manager's job can be to rehearse and prepare understudies. They coordinate the logistics of performances, communicating with Artists and Directors to make sure their audio, lighting, and visibility needs are met. Research University of Iowa's Programs & Degrees, Research Temple University's Degree Programs, Research DePaul University's Degree Programs, Research University of Washington's Degree Programs, Research University of Portland's Degree Programs, Research University of Chicago's Programs, Research The University of the Arts's Degree Programs, Jobs for People with an Executive Master of Public Administration, PhD in Business Administration: Programs & Salary. If you could describe in one word what makes you successful, what would it be? Many began as “theatre techs in college, with fathers or grandfathers in the business” and “started in small theatres or houses, then they reach out to the unions” to find work. To meet an act’s concert requirements, the stage manager distributes stage plans to stage crew and venue management. He worked for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a Stagehand for many years before becoming the Stage Manager. It's free! Kelly Kerins is the former Stage Manager of the world-famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He then got his journeyman’s card, working operas, musical theatre, industrial shows, and outdoor rock ‘n’ roll events. See salaries, compare reviews, easily apply, and get hired. The Stagehand’s responsibilities include setting up and testing sound, lighting, and other equipment, following the director’s instructions, assisting performers backstage, and making adjustments to sets. The schedule is intense.
Stage Manager Duties, Education Requirements and Career Info. We are looking for an organized and energetic Stage Manager to oversee the planning and execution of stage productions. You will fail. Stage managers are involved in many aspects of a live theatrical production. Sometimes everyone is here all day long or some are in during the day and others at night.” The “hours are not consistent in any way,” sometimes ranging “between 40-60 to 80 hours a week and sometimes even more. The low-stress way to find your next theater stage manager job opportunity is on SimplyHired. Your knees hurt.” Often, especially when the orchestra is on tour, the stage crew will have to load in equipment and gear at 6 am for a 10 am rehearsal, sometimes after a late night. Production Start-Up 1.