Stage Manager Definition: 7 Stage Management Skills

Stage management refers to the process by which all technical details get ironed out for a theatrical performance. The stage management team works with the crew—like the costume design, lighting, and sound departments—throughout the rehearsal period to ensure a seamless performance once the show opens. This sort of production management is essential throughout the entire run of the show as well.

A professional stage manager works to commandeer all technical aspects of a theatrical production. These theater management professionals oversee all deputy stage managers and stagehands. They partner with the director and other department managers to get everything in place for the often hectic pace of regular performances. By taking notes and problem-solving preshow issues, they’re able to usher things along efficiently once the actors and crew go live.

Many stage managers are members of the Actors’ Equity Association, a union comprising both stage management professionals and many other people who work in the live performance sector. As for education, although a BFA or MFA in performing arts may be useful on a resume, neither is necessary. Experience is more important.

Production stage managers need to wear a lot of hats to ensure performances go smoothly. You’ll need to embody these seven skills to fit the job description:

1. 1. Communication skills: Stage managers must communicate with and connect a vast array of personalities and professions. They coordinate schedules for the cast members and costume designers alike, including any times those schedules must converge. Throughout the actual performances, they often speak with various stage crew members through a headset to make certain everything goes according to plan. Production managers should be able to communicate clearly, effectively, and in a timely manner.
2. 2. Managerial expertise: As a stage or production manager, you serve as a technical director of sorts throughout the auditions, dress rehearsals, and actual shows. As such, you need to be able to lead and manage people with a steady hand. This means helping all your deputy stage managers run rehearsals at the same time you coordinate with all the different teams necessary to ensure everyone has what they need throughout the actual run of shows.
3. 3. Multitasking ability: Calling cues, implementing the director’s instructions live, and so on can be hard but rewarding work. Throughout both rehearsals and the production run itself, stage managers need to be able to juggle a seemingly endless amount of things all at once. They help get rehearsal props on stage at the right times, usher actors out on cue, communicate with lighting and sound designers, and more.
4. 4. Organizational prowess: You need a hyper-organized mindset to succeed as a stage manager. Alongside leading the production team and setting rehearsal schedules, the stage manager makes a master copy of the script (or prompt book) for all teams to use once the show actually starts. This list serves as a template for all scene changes, sound cues, lighting demands, and blocking requirements for actors.
5. 5. Overall versatility: Stage managers need to know their way around all aspects of the theatrical experience. You should be able to think like a lighting designer, director, actor, and prop handler all at once. This helps with problem-solving throughout the rehearsal process for all aspects of production work. Technical cues are a lot easier to call when you know why you’re calling them in the first place.
6. 6. Spatial awareness: A stage manager’s job is usually full-time and very hands-on. You’ll need to manage a performance and rehearsal space plus know your way around the wings in addition to how to set up props, furniture, and actors on the actual stage. A stage manager must also learn what works best in the hustle and bustle behind the scenes.
7. 7. Theatrical experience: Stage managers should have already spent some time in the theater to be truly successful at managing others in it. This could mean participating in a stage management program, obtaining a bachelor of fine arts in theater, or doing some more entry-level work in a live performance setting. A stagehand can easily work their way up to becoming an assistant stage manager (ASM)—from that point on, it’s much easier to nab the main job. Many other theater arts professionals also make the jump to management after gaining practical experience in another department—like lighting or sound design.

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