house/stage managers

It would be good to get training if you want to be a stage manager. A lot of colleges have degrees for stage management or just focuses of it. Thats what I am in. I am going for a BA in theatre studies with an emphasis on Stage Management. Its very hard, i think, to go from school to being a professional stage manager. You need an equity card, just like an actor. A lot of times, if you are good, the house you are sming at will give it to you, but otherwise you have to earn it just like everyone else. Yeah, I think if you like it, and there arent many people who do like it and who can handle such pressure, I think going to school and learning how to do everything it involves and learning equity rules is a good option. Salary is very very big spectrum. I was talking to the head of stage management of CCM last year and she told me that someone who has been working on phantom since it opened makes more than the stars, MUCH more. But, you dont have to worry about not paying the bills, on the other end of the spectrum, because you are in a union. House management, I am not sure what to tell you there. All I know for certain, as I was once a house manager for a summer equity house, is that you need cpr and first aid training. I dont think there is an actual degree for that. My advice, try everything because I was so into sming and now because I dabbled in other things am on track for theatre management/producing now. Good luck

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Updated On: 9/11/05 at 01:29 PM

House manager and Stage manager are two VERY different jobs, with VERY different reponsibilities. The minimum salary for a stage manager on Broadway is higher than the minimum for an actor on Broadway. And the number of SMs in the business is not that high, so the competition is a little lighter than for actors. Don't become a proessional house manager, go for Stage Manager.

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i also wonder what they do. im new to the whole theatre thing, so i really dont know. any help would be great, thanks!

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OY! What doesn't an SM (or ASM for that matter do?) They hold the master book w all the directors notes directions etc and are responsible for ensuring that the show goes on "by the book." The key skill that I have ever heard from my one friend who was an SM @ Shaw Festival was organizing & delgating. ( when & to who) ( a lttle bit of ability to instill fear helps too)

A good SM also is a bit of a grey eminence, whose presence is felt if not always seen. They know ( or should) everything thats going on such as who is feuding w who, boffing the wrong people, getting ready to do a runner, to make sure the show keeps sailing along. While the SM in Wicked would be accountable for the trap so would the individual he delegated the actual action to ( chain of command )

"The man is the head but the woman is the neck and the neck turns the head whatever way it wants"

There are often SM teams- SMs who work w their reg group of ASM's. This team approach often can contribute to the smooth running of the show.