Stage Manager Duties. Be professional and courteous at all times. Qualifications include: Level 4 HNC Diploma in Performing Arts (Production) foundation degrees and degrees in theatre practice, technical theatre or stage management. Effective leaders must master all forms of communication including written, verbal and listening skills. When it became pretty much everything I was, I couldn’t shake off little things anymore. Theatre stage manager; Talent can only take you so far when attempting to make your name in this industry. They should also be organized. Try these 11 crucial management skills you’ll need to thrive as a manager: 1. Tour Managers are paid week-by-week, and payment varies based on the tour budget, the length of the tour, the stature of the band, etc. Managerial Skills: 5 Skills Managers Need (Explained) A good manager has all the skills and can implement those skills for running the organization properly. Stage theater managers may also need general knowledge of the workings of theater arts to deal with problems that may arise at the last minute before productions. They may start as actors with small parts who, when not rehearsing, call out stage directions, contact absent performers or place specific props during the show. 3. A stage manager need to be able to yell at people and not feel bad. A movie theater. To become a manager, you need to be multi-skilled and you can develop all the required competencies relatively easily. Live Production management coordinates all of the technical and artistic elements of a production, ensuring the successful delivery of the production or events. As a manager, you have to communicate up, down and across the organization. If you’re looking for your next stage manager, look for students with the following five qualities: First and foremost, a stage manager must be organized. Just because you are an organized human being doesn’t mean you have the skillset to be an excellent stage manager… Involved from the rehearsal stage through to the live performances, you'll be on hand to deal with any emergencies that may arise. Entry requirements. Confidence. A couple stage manager skills from the job posting; Two big theater achievements that fit skills they want. Includes sections on knot tying, pictures of stage related tools, shop math, and much more. Toll-Free Fax submissions@theatrefolk.com, The Bullied, the Bully, and the Bystander: Funhouse, Theatrefolk Featured Play – Ashland Falls by Steven Stack. They must watch and listen carefully to the director, musical director, choreographer, fight director, and so on, and record everything (in pencil, because there WILL be changes!) Lack of direction leaves team members feeling confused about purpose. There will always be that actor that is always in the wrong place in the wrong time and they will need to move. billing@theatrefolk.com, Drama Teacher Academy Support You'll need to have a good understanding of both the technical and artistic elements of a performance so you can ensure it's delivered exactly to the director's requirements. Remember that being confident and being assertive is not the same thing! What skills do I need to be a Stage Manager? Email Email can be useful for communication between production departments, sending reminders to cast and crew, or distribution of rehearsal reports and other materials. By law, any foundation degree student must be offered a way to top the qualification up to a full BA (hons) degree if they wish. The stage manager is essential for keeping everyone on track and on time. Kerry Hishon is a director, actor, writer and stage combatant from London, Ontario, Canada. Many stage managers also do other things in the theatre, including acting, scenic painting, and directing. Communication Skills. The Backstage Handbook – an “illustrated almanac of technical information”, this book is essential for any theater stage manager, and is quite useful for concert stage managers as well. Learn about the education and preparation needed to become a stage manager. A great stage manager oversees countless tasks, including planning productions, managing the cast and crew, running rehearsals, supporting actors, coordinating sound, light and visual cues, sourcing props and showcalling performances. A student can believe in themselves and their abilities/knowledge, but have trouble being able to express that towards others. A student can be confident without being assertive, but cannot be assertive without having confidence. is the business name of: International Film School Sydney Pty Ltd (IFSS) ABN 50 108 452 062 | RTO Code: 91143 | CRICOS No: 02660C, JMC Pty Limited ABN 53 003 572 012 | CRICOS No: 01259J. If no one knows when they need to come on or when a light needs to change, you could have an empty stage. Want to find out more about our newest plays, resources and giveaways? That way you’ve got plenty to summarize. On average, Tour Managers earn approximately $54,300 annually. A stage manager must know how to do every job in the production. According to the Stage Managers' Association, the way to learn stage management is by doing it. Vision. But speaking with kindness and positivity while also being firm and honest is important. On top of all of that, they need to be tactful – knowing how to behave and respond in delicate or difficult situations. The stage manager is essential for keeping everyone on track and on time. 1-416-410-2282 (International), Billing / Accounting Questions 4. Bind Your Resume to the Stage Manager Job Description This is a fundamental leadership skill … Stage manager duties are important in keeping a show on its feet and we’re here to tell you why and how. Mar 14, 2016 - So you think you might want to be a stage manager? They need to know what is being rehearsed and when, who is needed at each rehearsal, and how much time is left in rehearsal. If something is going wrong, it is your job to find a solution and fix it. Being assertive takes practice, and being a stage manager definitely helps to grow that skill! Stage crew members are frequently trained on the job, although many stagehands are students earning their degrees in theater. Stage Manager Duties, Education Requirements and Career Info. Stage managers are also generally in charge of ensuring that the necessary rehearsal materials are available when they’re needed, such as CD players/MP3 docks, extra pencils, or first aid supplies. A huge part of the stage manager’s role is to take detailed blocking and technical notes during rehearsals. To be able to multi task efficiently not only saves time, … Leaders often have the best intentions, but they get caught up in managing the day-to-day tasks, putting out fires instead of working to unite their people under a shared vision. A student who wishes to be a stage manager needs to be confident, mature, hard-working, and organized. You'll liaise with a variety of people, … Theatrefolk Featured Play – The Wind in the... Theatrefolk Featured Play – The Wonderful Wizard... Theatrefolk Featured Play – Shakespeare’s... Theatrefolk Featured Play – Chicken. They are usually the go-to person for any additional tasks that need to be done. Stage managers are good at getting to the heart of the problem because they don't have the time or, frankly, the energy, to talk about the extra stuff that we sometimes get bogged down in. Communication and motivation. Student stage managers must also have the confidence in themselves to know when to ask for help – and then to actually do it, rather than just struggling on their own. Here are some skills you should amass before embarking on this journey (and if you’re in school getting a bachelor’s degree, a lot, although not all, of these will … Part of a stage manager’s job is to assist with administrative tasks such as keeping actors and artistic staff on task, taking attendance, and calling absent cast and crew members to find out where they are. These tasks can be uncomfortable, especially if a student stage manager is calling one of their peers or a parent to ask why the cast member isn’t there, or telling a teacher that they have gone over time and need to move on to the next task. At the very least, they are responsible of delegating these tasks to others. Learn to be patient, kind and learn to COMMUNICATE. Months before rehearsals begin, you'll need to start scheduling and coordinating. A look at the stage manager's checklist -- here, you'll find a list of the basic items needed to be kept on hand, to keep the rehearsal and production process running smoothly. A number of technical theatre courses – at both RADAand LAMDA, for instance – are taught as two-year foundation degrees. There are so many people involved in bringing a production together that you have to learn to be patient working with such a varied group of people. Stage managers are also generally in charge of … Ten Skills Every Manager Needs. That is why these degrees are sometimes labelled as two or three-year courses. by... Tax Information (IRS W-9, Tax ID Number, GST Number). The role of the stage manager is a vital one in the theatrical process. Stage managers are leaders. Just because you are an organized human being doesn’t mean you have the skillset to be an excellent stage manager. To be able to multi task efficiently not only saves time, but is a necessity when coordinating all the technical and artistic elements of a show. Companies have a variety of options, including training workshops, e-learning, videos, tip sheets, coaching, mentoring and action learning. Because the job does not require an education to enter, many stage managers learn their craft within a theater. Use of teleprompters . Be an organizational machine. So try to reign in your language, and avoid profanity and questionable slurs or references, even in jest, among friends, etc. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. They are in charge of all that goes on backstage and organise the cast, sets and props. Artistic staff members get super-busy and it is easy for them to lose track of time. AFTT - ACADEMY OF FILM, THEATRE & TELEVISION, Acting graduate gets role in Musical Theatre Production of Oliver, Industry Outcomes from studying Live Production and Management Services. Creativity problem solving is a must when it comes to stage management. You need to make presentations and communicate to the senior management one minute and then communicate to your peers the next minute. An ability to multi-task and keep your cool in a crisis will get you a long way. ‘It will be alright on the night’. First and foremost, a stage manager must be organized. Even if just a temporary fix to make sure the night runs smoothly, stage managers need to be able to think on their feet and not crack under the pressure. 1. The skills you'll learn on these courses could help when you look for a trainee assistant manager job with a stage or production company. Stage managers can read people like a book because it's their job to find out what people need and give it to them. As the stage manager, people will look to you for cues on how to behave, and for what’s acceptable during the production. Every manager needs to be able to ask for and take in feedback from their employees — without becoming defensive. Learning how to find the problem and solving it efficiently is vital part of a Stage Managers job, whether it be in lightning or props. 5 managerial skills are technical skills, conceptual skills, interpersonal and communication skills, decision-making skills. In order to receive respect, students must first demonstrate respect towards others. You'll also need the following attributes. View her blog at www.kerryhishon.com. A great stage manager oversees countless tasks, including planning productions, managing the cast and crew, running rehearsals, supporting actors, coordinating sound, light and visual cues, sourcing props and showcalling performances. Theatrefolk Featured Play – Horror Movie 102:... Theatrefolk Featured Play – Mummu by Kirk Shimano. As stage crew interns, these students learn the various roles required backstage and gain an understanding of how a working show operates. There is no shame in asking for help. Stage managers need to be great organisers and planners. 1-877-245-9138 Without a great stage manager, rehearsals go awry, cues don’t happen, and the show grinds to a halt. To find out more about studying Live Production, click here. That way, when the scene is re-visited (and the actors and director inevitably forget what was originally blocked), the stage manager can make corrections. And speaking to their peers and teachers in a tactful and thoughtful manner is one way of doing that. This doesn’t mean being rude or bossy – being able to communicate clearly and in an assertive manner ensures that rehearsals run smoothly. My stage manger has the entire prop table labeled and divided into section, like all the props in the in the first scene were in the top right of the prop table. Academy of Film, Theatre & Television Usually, a Tour Manager gets a base salary, plus expenses (meals, for example), and sometimes a per diem for … Multi Tasking. Teleprompters if needed; Essential reading. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 15.1% of stage managers listed rehearsal reports on their resume, but soft skills such as physical stamina and leadership skills … A stage manager encompasses a whole show from the production meetings to the rehearsal period, opening … Stage manager was a reasonable slice of the pie chart that made up who I saw myself as. We know you do too. They need to have confidence to solve problems on the fly and know what to do in an emergency. Check out our plays for student performers, and teaching resources for drama educators. So diverse are the professional concepts and skills taught in this course, they can be applied to running any production, from an on-stage theatre show to a live arena spectacular or outdoor festival. A good stage manager can take in all of the scheduling needs from the director, music director, vocal director, choreographer, fight choreographer, dialect coach, movement coach, production manager, costume designer, etc. While some skills that are needed for implementing successful performance management may come naturally to managers, in many cases they need to be learned. We’ve established that a stage manager needs to be organized, confident, assertive, and a good listener and observer. If I had a bad day at work, I could just leave it in the work slice and shake it off. We acknowledge Australian Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People as the first inhabitants of the nation, and acknowledge Traditional Owners of the lands where our staff and students live, learn and work. As a team manager you're the line of communication between frontline staff and senior management. Let me warn you now, almost everyone who works in the arts thinks they can be a stage manager and the vast majority can’t. When it comes down to it, students need to treat others the way they’d like to be treated. We aren’t saying being organised will completely stop things from going wrong but it will certainly minimise them! The average salary range for Tour Managers runs from $46,000 to $71,000. help@dramateacheracademy.com, Author Submissions To become a successful Stage Manager, there are some key skills that will help you along the way. They need to know what is being rehearsed and when, who is needed at each rehearsal, and how much time is left in rehearsal. You can take classes focusing on this area and even get an undergraduate or graduate degree in such. Road. Kerry Hishon is a director, actor, writer and stage combatant from London, Ontario, Canada. Get on our list! [the stage by looking at a set and figuring out what is missing to make it perfect, whether it be lighting or props is a vital part of a Stage Managers job.] This little known plugin reveals the answer. Good stage managers are hard to find, but those students are out there. When things get stressful and tasks need to be done, it is definitely easier to use sarcasm and sass when speaking to others, particularly when students are in a leadership role – they may think that this demonstrates their authority. And a great stage manager does this at all times. AFTT’s stage management course will prepare you for a spectrum of roles from production manager to stage manager, and everything in between. The stage manager is the glue that holds a production together. The stage manager may need to text or call actors or crew members to give them reminders or check up on them if they are late for a call time. Being able to coordinate all of the elements of a production means that you have to be organised from the start to avoid last minute panics and errors. You have to oversee not only the technical staff such as the lighting and sound engineers, but help manage actors and work closely with directors and producers. and reasonably accommodate everyone's needs in … She blogs at www.kerryhishon.com. We have outlined some of the most important skills you will need, all of which can be learned or improved upon throughout our Live Production and Management Service course here at AFTT. It’s a balancing act for sure. The manager should be able to deal with technical difficulties regarding sound or lighting. A stage manager is in charge of the entire production, and must know the ins and outs of every production they oversee. Strong leadership and communication skills are also important. When providing missed lines, assigning pre-show tasks, or calling the actual show from the booth, stage managers must have confidence in themselves and their teams to make sure the show goes on. Which is a big problem for a stage manager. Stage managers truly make the show happen. Artistic staff members get super-busy and it is easy for them to lose track of time. But not if you have the right stage manager! They also tell the sound and lighting desks what the cues are for the show. We passionately believe that theatre has an essential place in schools. A common phrase often heard by actors, but what they may not realise is what makes it ‘alright on the night’ is the Stage Managers. Acting, dancing, playing or singing in front of other people can be incredibly nerve wracking. These are the desirable skills to have to become and ideal candidate for a stage management role: High standard of organisational and communication skills; Computer skills and understanding of current technology; Ability to work under pressure; A sharp eye for detail ; Problem-solving skills, ability to think on your feet A common way is to take a diploma, foundation degree or degree in stage management, or a closely related subject. in the stage manager’s prompt book – entrances, exits, placements of set pieces, props and people, cues for lights, sound effects, music, and more. How else will students learn? Plan, Plan, Plan. And during a tedious rehearsal or difficult production, a simple smile or encouraging word from you can … That can be either in the same institution, or elsewhere by arrangement. Pro Tip: Since this is a summary for your theatre stage manager resume, you need to write the rest of your resume first. 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