Stage Manager?

Question

I am a college student who has been involved in theatre all his life and has had experiences stage managing shows over the past few years in my spare time. Recently I have been wanting to change direction and start to look toward a profession in stage management (preferably with musical theatre and opera productions, but straight theatre is also an option).

Do you have any suggestions about what my next step should be? At the moment I am leaning toward stepping away from college and taking an internship for a semester to see what happens. I know I really should finish up college first, but school has been very suffocating this past year and I need to try something different. I am not very good with set construction or lights (if you explain it first then I'm fine, but I'm no expert). Although I do sew and as stage manager I have tended to end up defacto props person. I don't know where to start looking for an internship, or what type of internship I should persue.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

Nearly all stage managers have diplomas and degrees from accreditted colleges and universities to prove their worth. I work as a freelance ASM and DSM but I only have very basic knowledge of LX where I'm only capable of running a small studio theatre. But I also happen to be an all-rounder where I do costumes as well. You don't need to be really clued up if you're just starting out in this industry, you just learn on the job as long as you're willing and enthusiastic about it.

Taking an internship is a good idea as this means you'll gain experience, and it is likely they will keep you on their books for the future employment. I actually started by asking at stage door of provincial (or receiving house) theatres about casual work. Its not regular work, but I got to work on big musicals from large touring companies. (My Fair Lady, Cats, Grease, Marriage of Figaro, La Rondine, and etc) And through the theatre I got to make friends with people on the tour who are willing to share their experiences of how they got to where they are, and point you in the right direction.

I only know companies based in the UK otherwise I could easily write more if you just drop me an email. But if you're in the US, Live Nation are a global organisation that produce a lot of theatre work and concert tours. Network Presentations are quite big the US too for musical theatre productions.

Internship for stage managers are available at most large theatre venues. Tours tend not to take people due to expense in travelling and accommodation. But the window of opportunity is short since they are very popular, and only get offered once a year. However, if you are interested going down this path, contact them and ask if they offer internships, and when do they take on applicants. Many companies don't accept speculative applications. Remember that it is likely you won't be paid on internship, so don't be too overambitious.

Answer 2

Stay with college. The first thing that a company will look for is your education as a Stage Manager - mainly because it is such a technical position, requiring technical knowledge, knowledge of unions and agreements, as well as incredible time management skills. There are also courses offered (such as SMArts (Stage Managing the Arts)) that can help supplement your knowledge.

You don't really need to know about lights or set, but props and costumes will serve you best.

Depending on where you live, start looking into Equity Associations (for example, here in Canada, Actors Equity represents Stage Management as well). They don't have internships, but what they call an Apprentice Program. You are required to complete a certain number of credits as an Apprentice Stage Manager before you join the Association. This is a fantastic way to go as it is hands-on and you will be learning from top SM's in the field. Larger companies are the ones who tend to hire Apprentices. Also, you chose the right field. Opera is hurting for Apprentices and Stage Managers.

Most likely, you will spend a few years as an Assistant Stage Manager following your apprenticeship to garner more experience before being handed a show. As an apprentice and assistant, you will be given one of two "tracks" - either props or costumes. You will get lots of experience in both (even if you aren't sure what to do at first!).

Check out www.caea.com for the Canadian site. It will have links to other associations in your area.

Good luck!

Answer 3

If you are serious about this Start looking into what the Actor's Equity requirements for stage managers are. You may not have them yet and also you might want to start building your resume outside of an academic environment. Summer Stock companies are a good way to do this, by the way as someone that has gone through what you are going through now I know it is tough but stick it out no one can take the degree from you once you have it.

Answer 4

Call the Community and Musical Theater companies in your city and ask if they can use you as a Vounteer Stage Manager, assuming they already have a Stage Manager.

Answer 5

My greatest advice would be to finish college first and then go for the internship.

If you leave college it is always so hard to go back to the academic world.

Sound like a wonderful career is ahead of you.