What is a Stage Manager?

A stage manager is the person who runs the stage during a live event, keeping acts and speakers on time, managing changeovers and leading the stage crew so the show runs to plan. At festivals, every stage has its own stage manager. In theatre, the stage management team also runs rehearsals and calls the show.

What a stage manager does

At a gig or festival, a stage manager's day looks like this:

  1. Advance: check each act's stage plot, technical rider and timings before the day.
  2. Plan the stage: organise the order of set-ups, risers and equipment storage.
  3. Run the day: lead the stage crew through the get-in, sound checks and changeovers.
  4. Keep time: make sure each act starts and finishes on time to the running order.
  5. Handle problems: deal with missing kit, overruns and safety issues, stopping the show if needed.

Stage managers work from a running order that changes all day, which is why many venues and festivals manage a live running order in Crescat.

Stage manager vs production manager

A production manager plans the whole production, from budgets to suppliers, usually weeks or months ahead. A stage manager runs one stage on the day. At smaller events, one person may do both.

What a stage manager needs on show day

  • The final running order with set and changeover times
  • Stage plots and riders for every act
  • Contacts for each act's tour or production manager
  • A radio and a list of crew
  • A clock or stage timer visible from the wings
  • The show stop procedure

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a stage manager in music and theatre?

In music, the stage manager mainly runs changeovers and timings. In UK theatre, the stage manager leads a team, and the deputy stage manager calls the show's cues from the prompt desk.

What skills does a stage manager need?

Calm under pressure, strong organisation, clear communication and enough technical knowledge to understand every department's needs.

How do you become a stage manager?

Many start as stage crew or assistant stage managers, learning by working under experienced stage managers. Theatre has formal training courses; in live music, experience on real shows counts most.

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