Directing or Stage Managing as A Career?

Question

I'm looking for people out there who are either a stage director or stage manager as a living. It's something I'm seriously looking to going into-and I want to know all the information you can possibly give me about doing it for a career. I've been stage-managing at my high school for the past year, and am going to continue the next two years-but I need to know if it's really something worth pursuing.

Answer 1

I'm neither, but I know several of both very well, and have worked with both. For starters, I think being a stage manager is excellent training for being a director, because you get to sit next to the director, act as their contact with actors, watch how they stage the show, tech it, etc. Having said that, many directors I know started as actors, and felt that they wanted to have more control over the total artistic direction of a production--merely acting one role wasn't as satisfying. Personally, I respect both--though I have to say, a good stage manager is (to me) the most valuable person in the room. (Especially if you can make good coffee....just kidding. sort of.) The best ones are worth their weight in gold. (Also, if you're a professional stage manager, you're a member of Actor's Equity-the actor's union--and you make an even better salary than the actors do.) I do think that it's easier to get established professionally at a younger age as a stage manager; not that they both don't have a lot of responsibility, but I think it's harder for a young director to get a good enough reputation to be working consistently. If you can get on the staff of a theatre, you can be working constantly as a stage manager or ASM; even established directors may have to make a living free-lancing, which is harder.

Anyway, I hope you hear from directors & SMs--it's a great question; sorry I can only answer it from somebody who sits near them in rehearsal....Good luck!

Answer 2

Mands, I am a professional actor and have done a few directing jobs. My advice is continue stage managing; it is one of the most important jobs in theatre. A good Stage Manager will always have work; even more than a person who is a director. But there is no reason you can't do both. The Stage Manager, as you know, is the boss after opening night. And by getting a few years of professional stage managing under your belt, I think you will feel confident to direct. Acting classes would be a good idea too, even if you don't really want to be an actor. It will give you that side of the profession which in turn would help your directing career. Have fun, and Break A Leg!

Answer 3

I'll echo the sentiments of some earlier respondents, and say that quality Stage Managers are a rare commodity. In the professional theatre, where directors rarely stick around once the show has opened, it falls to the S.M. to keep the show on course throughout the run. In that way, in the ideal, a Stage Manager is actually EXPECTED to fulfill a limited directorial function.

However, the reality is that SMs are, for the most part, traffic cops. They keep rehearsals on schedule, they do a TON of logistical work (scheduling, etc.), they make sure people observe call times, they run technical rehearsals, and they "call" the performance over headphones with the board operators.

It's true that it'll be easier for you to find work as an SM than as a director, at least initially. But, if you can, you can pick up a lot from watching directors at work while you're in rehearsal, and that might lead to an opportunity to work in that field as well.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I've been involved in theater production for more than 40 years and love it. If I had my druthers I'd choose directing,,,but that's just my personal opinion.

Stage management might seem like a status position, but it can be tedious, and you're still at the mercy of the director, or the maestro, or the actors fumbling, or cues missed by actors and crew. You'll also put in far more prep and post hours than any director,,, and you'll never get the parking space right by the entry door,,,smiles.

Beyond that,,,as a career, they both take passion, but directing pays better, and has more prestige,,, and in my opinion is generally more rewarding overall.

Rev. Steven

Answer 5

Dear Manda

Good stage managers are very hard to come by. My suggestion is to continue on with it even after school. Find out if one of your acting colleges offers courses in Stage management. It will keep you employed forever.