qualifications needed to become a stage manager?

[Jason118]

Hey guys im pretty new on here :)

 

at the moment (and the next two years) im studying the industry here at Bridgwater College on a course named Production Arts.

 

Basically I'd just like your views on the best qualifications to make it to stage management as I have taken a great interest in the course. The reason I ask this is because I really want the best possible qualifications to make it in stage management jus so I know if there are any other course I need to take.

 

Thanks in advance guys

 

Jason

[Congresstech]

Have you tried the search function in the top right hand corner. I typed in Stage Management qualifications and got over 10 pages of results. That may be the best place to start.

[paulears]

Whenever people ask these questions, somebody always says the same thing - so I may as well say it first.

 

Your success at being a Stage Manager has very little to to with any qualification you get. In fact, your production course almost certainly has a bit missing from the title - so hopefully, it will say Production Arts (Stage Management), but it could also have a few other ''tags'.

 

What happens if you want to work in the field is that you get a job as an ASM. There are, as I'm sure your tutors have explained, three (maybe even four nowadays) types of ASM. In smaller productions, they tend to do everything - some ASM roles are described as Acting ASM - meaning they do a few short walk-on parts, or maybe play the headless ghost in a panto, or perform as a 12 foot high grim reaper - that kind of thing. Some ASMs are dancers really, but have a liking for backstage. Others hate backstage, but took the job for the few minutes of on stage work. Some ASMs specialise in props - making, sourcing and repairing. Others can be puppeteers. There are now Technical ASMs who look after the gadgets some productions use. This year, as an example, I've got two ASMs, one is an acting ASM. I've also got a Technical ASM to keep the 3D kit running. The most critical member of the team is the DSM - the only job requirement is that they can do it efficiently and reliably. What often happens is that some ASMs never progress, which is annoying, as the heirarchy suggests the stage management team is a pyramid - which pays more as you progress. Somebody really good with props, stays there. To get more money, they have to become a DSM, and then never touch a prop, and maybe do a job that they hate! Some shows then have a Company Stage Manager, and then you have the Company Manager. I always find with the organisation that the Company Manager is also the Company Stage Manager, so from the point of view of the running of the production, the DSM in in charge, and I don't have any direct control of what is going on. Sadly, this means my role is mainly organisational - just making the whole thing happen.

 

I'm not interested really, in the qualifications my team have. The only thing I want is competent people I can get on with. I don't want trainees, I don't want keen but empty people, I don't want people I have to show how to do things, I don't care a monkey if they got a Distinction - although if they didn't get one, I'd give some thought as to why not? People who get merits and passes didn't work hard enough, or are not that good.

 

What I look for are details on their history. I know everyone has to start somewhere, but frankly, they get paid a set amount for 'the job' - so what I need are people who walk into the rehearsal room and just know what to do. When I tell an ASM to fix the golden egg because there's a crack in it, I don't expect to have to tell them how to do it, and where to get the stuff. Finding they made a bad job of the repair, and then fixing it myself is NOT going to endear them to me. I've got a list in the office that has names on it, and a use next year column, and a DO NOT use next year column. At the end of the run, everyone hopefully goes in one column. Unsuitable people, regardless of qualification don't work for me again - they make the entire experience less pleasant.

 

If you have a good time on the current Production course, the next step is 3 year at uni, or going out there and getting a job. At 18 you could be on tour as an ASM, getting experience, and building up the CV. As ASM work is not spectacularly paid, I'd perhaps wonder if the three years at uni would make sense for this job. What you want is shows on the CV, not the qualification. If perhaps you want to be a DSM, then uni could give you the kind of experience that helps this area, but again, as a DSM is such a key position, experience on real shows is critical.

 

Working backstage on amateur shows is a really good way to get experience of all the different styles of show and equipment/facilities. Are you able to unload a truck with conventional flats, and then assemble and set them? Being male or female doesn't matter really, but being feeble does. Are you physically fit and able - if not, spend time on this area. Some people hate getting dirty. If this is the case, stage management may not be for you.

 

 

If you had to sum up what stage management is about, I'd suggest it's simply making the show happen! - and a qualification might not say that?

[Jivemaster]

The course should give you a very basic grounding of the facts, (except the fact that ASM pay is poor!). You must also have some real life experience before you pass out, and the better the experience the less the pass grade matters.

 

You really MUST have some real life experience before you finish the course or the course means little. Search your local and traveling area for places that might offer you any backstage experience, either in a voluntary capacity (am-dram) or a paid capacity.

 

Search the local theatres and other entertainment places for casual or occasional or seasonal work. Search the holiday camps on the coast, and everywhere that you can find then search more.

 

The opportunity for the best work on completion of your course depends on

1/ how easy you are to work with

2/ how well you do the job

3/ what grade you achieved at college.

 

If you have no experience then you fall at two hurdles out of three!

[RGSD]

I have a Stage Management Degree!

 

As far as I have experienced in the years since graduating - few of my coursemates have a job in stage management. Most realised there was very little on offer as an aweful lot of producers on frindge productions offer work based on travel pay only with a promise of payment if they go on to do future productions that are sucessful or if the show transfers to the West End.

 

If you want to be a stage manager, I would suggest working in your local theatre... There are plenty of receiving houses that have crew work that can give you experience in productions and allow you to meet people - that is the key, Stage Management is about being confident, easy to get on, being a great team worker, The list goes on!

[G.Miciak]

As far as I have experienced in the years since graduating - few of my coursemates have a job in stage management. Most realised there was very little on offer as an aweful lot of producers on frindge productions offer work based on travel pay only with a promise of payment if they go on to do future productions that are sucessful or if the show transfers to the West End.

 

If you want to be a stage manager, I would suggest working in your local theatre... There are plenty of receiving houses that have crew work that can give you experience in productions and allow you to meet people - that is the key, Stage Management is about being confident, easy to get on, being a great team worker, The list goes on!

 

I'm in Canada, not the UK, but the situation over here is a lot different. I am working on my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama; Technical Theatre, Specializing in Stage Management. Everyone who has graduated from the program has a good job, where ever they are in Canada. (It is the only program in Canada that is that specialized.)

[tech_em]

I'm currently doing my degree in stage management and even as a student, it's best to get the experience. I'm always freelancing outside uni and it's useful to put in use for your degree, likewise the opposite. I went on the course just to train for areas I wasn't comfortable with, not the piece of paper. At the end of the day, the people that employ you aren't bothered about a piece of paper saying you got a qualification in being a stage manager... they're more bothered about whether or not you can do the job.

 

Paulears - I like the use/do not use column idea! :D