What Do Stage Managers Actually Do and How to Become a Stage Manager

What is a Stage Manager? A Look Behind the Curtain

In the world of theatre, the stage manager is often the unsung hero. They don’t take a bow at curtain call, and they’re rarely in the spotlight—but without them, the show would quite literally not go on. So, what exactly does a stage manager do, and how do they fit into the grand production puzzle?

The Backbone of the Production

A stage manager is the director’s right hand and the production manager’s left. Think of them as the information hub: they connect the dots between the creative vision, the practical logistics, and the human element. The stage manager is the ultimate communicator, tasked with keeping the cast, crew, designers, and production team all on the same page.

From scheduling rehearsals to tracking blocking (where actors move on stage), the stage manager ensures that the entire machine operates smoothly—before, during, and after opening night.

What Do Stage Managers Actually Do?

Stage managers are responsible for a long list of duties that require precision, organization, and flexibility. Some of the key tasks include:

1. Sending out daily rehearsal reports to inform the team what was accomplished and what’s needed next.
2. Recording blocking and notes for the director and cast during rehearsals.
3. Facilitating communication between designers, production staff, and performers—especially when someone can’t be at a meeting.
4. Running production meetings, ensuring that every department knows the timeline and requirements as the show approaches performance.

They are the “eyes and ears” of the director and producer, translating vision into action and managing the workflow that brings a show to life.

Photo: wikipedia.org/Stage_management

A Day in the Life

From auditions to opening night, a stage manager is the heartbeat of the rehearsal room. They prep spaces, manage schedules, communicate design changes, and keep rehearsals running smoothly. Once the show opens, the job doesn’t stop—in fact, it becomes even more crucial.

After opening night, the stage manager is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the performance. That means:

• Keeping the show consistent night after night.
• Calling cues for lighting, sound, and scenery.
• Managing cast changes and keeping understudies prepared.
• Acting as the emotional glue—keeping morale high and the cast focused, even after 30 or 300 performances.

In long-running professional shows, like *Hamilton* on Broadway, the stage manager is also in charge of training new cast members and ensuring continuity—so every audience member gets the same high-quality experience.

Photo: wikipedia.org/Stage_management "Page from American actress Charlotte Cushman's prompt-book for Shakespeare's Hamlet at the Washington Theater in 1861."

How Do You Become a Stage Manager?

There’s no one path to becoming a stage manager. Some people study it formally in college, gaining hands-on experience through academic productions. Others fall into the role by accident—often because someone asked, and they said yes.

Stage management is ultimately about problem-solving and people management. As one teacher wisely put it, “It doesn’t matter what the job is, the same pieces have to move around—they just have different names.” Whether it’s an assembly line or a Broadway musical, things must come together in harmony.

If you’re curious about stage management, a great place to start is by assisting. Taking on a role as an Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) offers hands-on experience without the pressure of leading the whole production. It’s the ideal way to observe, learn, and begin building your own stage management skills.

Look for opportunities at:

• local theaters
• school productions
• community centers
• children’s plays
• or even your local church

Many of these spaces welcome volunteers and are excellent places to get started.

Common Challenges: Before and After Opening Night

The number one challenge for any stage manager? Scheduling. Always scheduling.

Before opening night, it’s about coordinating people with wildly different calendars—working around jobs, family obligations, and emergencies. In professional theatre, it can also mean balancing complex union rules about work hours and breaks.

After opening night, the focus shifts to consistency and energy. How do you keep a show fresh for cast and crew when you’ve been doing it for weeks or months? A lot of it comes down to motivation and morale. Cast camaraderie can help—sometimes even light-hearted pranks (as long as the audience is never aware). The goal is always the same: give every audience the same outstanding performance, from opening night to closing.

The One Essential Skill

If there’s one thing a stage manager must be able to do, it’s create structure when none exists. You need to be the one who brings order to chaos—who builds the metaphorical box when there isn’t one to think outside of.

You are the keeper of the production “bible”—a binder or digital hub with schedules, contact lists, costume looks, blocking notes, and more. It’s your job to ensure that the show has a heartbeat and that it never skips a beat.

Five of the most well-known stage managers in the industry and why

While stage managers often work behind the scenes and don’t always receive public recognition, several have earned deep respect within the theater community for their leadership, innovation, and impact. Here are six of the most well-known stage managers in the industry and why they stand out:

1. Ruth Mitchell – A pioneering woman in Broadway stage management during a time when few women held such positions, Ruth Mitchell worked closely with legendary director Hal Prince from the mid-1950s through the 1960s and beyond. She stage-managed landmark productions such as West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), and Fiddler on the Roof (1964). Her meticulous attention to detail, authority, and groundbreaking presence in a male-dominated field helped redefine the role of a stage manager and opened the door for generations of women in theater.

Photo: NYPL.org "Cue book for Baker Street, April 1965. Ruth Mitchell papers (*T-Mss 2001-023). Billy Rose Theatre Division, Library for the Performing Arts."

2. Lori Lundquist – Opera & Large-Scale Events
Specializing in opera stage management, Lori Lundquist has worked with companies like San Francisco Opera and LA Opera. Opera stage management demands intense musical coordination, and Lundquist is admired for her ability to lead cue-heavy, technically demanding productions with tight synchronization.

3. Lisa Dawn Cave – With credits including The Lion King, Aladdin, and Frozen, Lisa Dawn Cave has built a reputation for managing large-scale, technically demanding productions with grace and consistency. She is a strong advocate for education and representation in theater management and serves as a role model for aspiring professionals.

4. Matthew Stern – Known for his work on Miss Saigon, Wicked, Grease, and Finding Neverland, Stern is also a prominent educator, teaching stage management at SUNY Purchase. His clear communication, calm under pressure, and practical teaching have helped shape many future stage managers.

5. Martha Donaldson – With an extensive résumé that includes The Real Thing and The Coast of Utopia, Donaldson is revered for her ability to manage complex productions with large casts and shifting narratives. She is especially respected for her organizational skills, collaborative spirit, and mentoring of younger stage management professionals.

These stage managers exemplify the best of the profession—balancing logistics, artistry, and human connection to bring each show to life night after night.

Final Advice

If you're interested in becoming a stage manager, the best first step is to become an Assistant Stage Manager. You'll gain real-world experience, see what the job truly involves, and develop the muscle of managing moving parts under pressure.

Stage management isn’t about glory—it’s about impact. You won’t be center stage, but you will be the reason the curtain rises on time, every time.

And that’s something worth standing ovation. Learn more about the Stage Managers’ Association at www.stagemanagers.org