This begins a 5-part series on the job of the Stage Manager, considered by many as the most important role in a production. Follow-up articles: "Basic SM Duties," and "Basic SM Tools: Clothes," and "Basic SM Tools: Fix-It Shop."

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Stage Managing 101

The job of the Stage Manager is a complex subject because there is no one codified set of guidelines that defines all the job duties of a Stage Manager in all the various performing arts genres. Add to that the numerous levels of productions from amateur/community theatre, to university, semi-professional, and even the multitude of options within professional (paid) theatre. In some ways, you're on your own.

The duties of the Stage Manager involve whatever happens on the stage and the backstage area, and can include the dressing rooms and Green Room. Even if your Tech Booth is in the balcony of the theatre, you are not responsible for the space between the lip of the stage and your booth; the House Manager handles the House.

The dream Stage Manager gig is the one ruled by a union contract. Any other job is a complete unknown in terms of what will be expected of you as the Stage Manager and the conditions surrounding the production.

Rule #1

The first thing to do when being hired as a Stage Manager is to ask for a list of duties or proposed duties from the person in charge. This might be a Producer, a Director, or a Professor, depending upon the producing organization. Books on the subject can help guide you, but get your specific duties from the person signing your paycheck or giving you your grade.

Regardless of the setting and who’s running the production, you should have a firm knowledge of what is expected of a professional Stage Manager (SM), even if you are still at the community theatre or university level. Why? Because you can’t make a living SM’ing for free. And if you’re good at running the show, you might want to pursue it down the road. Also, knowing this aspect of production will make you a better Director or even a better Writer (to learn how a show goes together). Consider this “putting on the training wheels.”

A great general reference of what is expected of an SM is contained within the agreement that Actor’s Equity Association puts forth for SM job duties and the Stage Manager Packet. Equity, as it is known, is the union for actors and Stage Managers. The union for the Techs (stagehands) is IATSE. These Equity documents cover everything from reports for a work-related injury to posts for juvenile actors, from proper use of theatrical firearms to earthquake preparedness. As the Stage manager, you must be ready to handle anything.

Professional vs. Amateur SM Jobs

In professional theatre, a Stage Manager might be on site to assist the director from pre-production and the auditions, through the rehearsal process, the performances, and in the wrap-up of post-production. In amateur/community theatre, many of the job duties a professional SM would handle might be performed by the Director, with the show’s SM not even being present until the last week of rehearsals. A university SM gig may be a mix of the two, with the instructor divvying up duties to spread the workload out across several students who need to participate to make a grade.

A professional (paid) but non-union SM job could be similar to a union job, but without the protection of the union contract, there’s no telling what you might be hoodwinked into doing outside of your SM duties. Paid, non-union productions might include repertory theatre, regional touring companies, cruise ships, regional theme parks, festivals, and the dreaded dinner theatre. These paid jobs are more plentiful than the Equity jobs, so don’t turn your nose up at them. Just know what you’re getting into, and refer to Rule #1 (see above).

Crossing the (Production SM) Line

If you find yourself doing things like calling the water bottle people to bring another 5-gallon jug, or ordering food or buying plastic plates for the “craft services” table, hanging the poster in the marquee outside the theatre, or getting the producer’s tux from the dry cleaner’s for the Opening Night performance (because as the SM, you have nothing better to do on the day of Opening Night) — on top of running rehearsals, running the tech crew, and calling the show — you’re veering into Production Stage Manager world…. This is fine… as long as:

1. You are comfortable doing it,
2. You are credited as such, but most importantly,
3. Your main function as the Stage Manager is not hindered by these extra duties.

If a Producer asked me to do any of that (and they have), I would say (nicely), “No.” But I would be sure to recommend someone standing around who could do it.

Wrapping Up

The duties of the Stage Manager are not set in stone, and you will find what works best for you in each assignment. Know what is expected of you as the Stage Manager, work closely with your Director, and be very organized.

Next Article: “Basic Stage Manager Duties”