Stage Manager Job Description: 6 Templates by Setting
Stage manager job description templates for theatre and live events: theatre, assistant, production, event, corporate, and small company. Download as DOCX.
6 templates across theatre and live events: theatre, assistant, production, event, corporate, and small company, with role, salary, and union guidance. Download as DOCX.
A stage manager is the person who keeps a production organized, safe, and on schedule, from the first rehearsal or load-in to the final cue. It is a role with two distinct worlds: theatre, where the stage manager runs a scripted show from a prompt book, and live events, where the stage manager coordinates crew and AV on site at concerts, festivals, and conferences. A job description that does not name which world it is hiring for tends to attract the wrong candidates.
These templates cover the role across both: theatre stage manager, assistant stage manager, production stage manager, event stage manager, corporate or conference stage manager, and a small-company first-production-hire version. Each names its setting and gets the duties right, including the union and classification realities generic templates skip. For the fundamentals behind any posting, the guide to writing a job description is a useful companion.
TL;DR
A stage manager keeps a production organized, safe, and on schedule. In theatre, they run the prompt book and call cues; in live events, they coordinate crew and AV on site. The role is often project-based or seasonal, and professional theatre and event crews are frequently unionized (Actors' Equity, IATSE). The BLS proxy category had a median of $83,480 (May 2024), but stage-manager-specific pay typically runs lower, roughly $47K to $55K. Six templates here across theatre and events; download all as one DOCX.
What Does a Stage Manager Do?
A stage manager is the organizational and communication hub of a production. In theatre, that means maintaining the prompt book, recording blocking, running rehearsals, and calling light and sound cues during performances, while serving as the director's representative once the show opens. In live events, it means managing the stage and backstage at concerts, festivals, and conferences, coordinating crew and AV, and keeping the show on schedule from load-in to load-out.
The federal occupation that contains the role is producers and directors, which lists stage manager as a sample job title, though there is no standalone federal code for stage managers specifically. What the generic templates miss is how different the job is across theatre and live events: the theatre stage manager calls a scripted show night after night, while the event stage manager solves problems live on site. The six templates split along exactly that line.
Stage Manager Duties and Responsibilities
Stage manager duties cluster into four areas: planning and paperwork, running the show, coordination, and safety and standards. A strong job description picks the specific responsibilities from each area that match your production rather than listing every possible task.
Planning and paperwork
Maintains the prompt book and blocking
Builds schedules and the run-of-show
Tracks and distributes production reports
Running the show
Calls light, sound, and scene cues
Manages the stage and backstage flow
Keeps transitions and timing on schedule
Coordination
Communicates across cast, crew, and creatives
Coordinates talent, AV, and vendors
Serves as the central point of contact
Safety and standards
Upholds safety and venue requirements
Manages load-in, tech, and changeovers
Solves problems calmly in real time
The emphasis shifts by setting: a theatre role centers on the prompt book and cue-calling, while an event role centers on on-site coordination and live transitions. For a structured way to scope the role to your production, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by setting and level. The core responsibilities, keeping a production organized and on schedule, run through all six, but each frames the duties for a specific kind of stage manager role. Use this guide to choose the closest fit, then adjust.
Theatre Stage Manager
Plays, musicals, productions
The classic theatrical role: prompt book, rehearsals, calling cues, and serving as the director's representative once the show opens.
Assistant Stage Manager
Backstage support, ASM
For an ASM: backstage and deck management, props and run sheets, and support to the stage manager. A clear path toward the lead role.
Production Stage Manager
Senior, leads the SM team
For a PSM: leading the stage management team, setting standards across a season or repertory, and owning the run-of-show.
Event / Live-Events Stage Manager
Concerts, festivals, shows
For live events: managing the stage and backstage at concerts and festivals, coordinating crew and AV, and running load-in to load-out.
Corporate / Conference Stage Manager
Conferences, corporate events
For corporate events: managing speaker flow, cueing AV and content, and keeping general sessions on time and polished.
Small Company / First Production Hire
Owner-led growing company
The version no one else writes: a builder stage manager who runs shows and helps set production standards as a small company grows.
Match the Template to Your Production
A scripted theatrical show: Theatre Stage Manager. Backstage support: Assistant Stage Manager. Leading a season or SM team: Production Stage Manager. Concerts and festivals: Event Stage Manager. Conferences and corporate events: Corporate / Conference Stage Manager. Your first production hire at a small company: Small Company. When unsure on the events side, the Event template is the baseline to adapt.
6 Stage Manager Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: organization and job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, a note on union or labor where relevant, pay, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets, including the pay basis, and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
Theatre, assistant, production, event, corporate, and small company. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Stage Manager (Theatre)
The classic theatrical role: prompt book, rehearsals, calling cues, and serving as the director's representative once the show opens.
FLSA status: [ ] Exempt [ ] Non-exempt (confirm by duties and pay)
Pay: $_____ (per event / per production / per year)
ABOUT US
We are a small, growing [theatre / event / production] company hiring a
stage manager to bring order to our productions. This is a hands-on role
with room to set how we run shows as we grow.
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Stage Manager as a key production hire. You
will run our shows or events end to end, build the run-of-show and
paperwork, coordinate crew and talent, and help set how our small
company produces work. You will work closely with ownership.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Run productions or events from planning through performance
•Build the run-of-show, schedules, and production paperwork
•Coordinate crew, talent, and vendors
•Call cues and manage the stage and backstage
•Help set production standards and processes as we grow
•Manage safety and venue requirements
•Partner with ownership on production decisions
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Stage management experience in theatre or live events
•A builder comfortable in a small, growing company
•Strong organization, communication, and problem-solving
•Availability for evenings, weekends, and travel as needed
•Familiarity with run-of-show and production documents
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay: $_____ (per event / per production / per year)
To apply, email __ with your resume and a short
note on a production you helped run.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Theatre vs Live Events
The single most important choice in this job description is whether you are hiring for theatre or for live events, because the work, the schedule, and the skills differ enough that a candidate strong in one is not automatically strong in the other.
Dimension
Theatre
Live events
Source material
A script and a prompt book
A run-of-show built per event
Timeline
Weeks of rehearsal, then a run
Hours or days, on site
Core skill
Cue-calling and rehearsal discipline
On-site coordination and load-in
Setting
Theatres and performing-arts venues
Concerts, festivals, conferences
Engagement
Per-production or seasonal
Project-based or seasonal
Name the setting in the job title and summary so candidates self-select correctly. The theatre templates emphasize the prompt book and cue-calling; the event and corporate templates emphasize on-site coordination, AV, and load-in.
Skills and Qualifications
Stage managers are hired on experience and temperament more than formal credentials. There is no license or certification for the role, so a candidate's production history and references are the most useful screen.
Requirement
What to look for
Experience
A record of stage managing or assistant stage managing
Education
A theatre or stage management degree is common, not required
Core skills
Organization, calm communication, and cue-calling or run-of-show
Availability
Evenings, weekends, tech weeks or events, and travel
Tools
Familiarity with stage management software, a plus
Classification
Confirm employee vs contractor and exempt vs non-exempt
Keep the posting neutral and inclusive, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Who Actually Hires a Stage Manager
It is worth being honest about who hires this role, because it shapes how you post and onboard. Most stage managers work in theatre and the performing arts, and many are freelancers hired production by production, while the small for-profit company that hires a stage manager as an employee is usually a live-events or production firm.
Most stage managers are hired by theatres, schools, and large entertainment companies, not small businesses
Be clear-eyed about who hires this role. The large majority of stage managers work in theatre and the performing arts, hired by non-profit theatres, universities and schools, symphonies and dance companies, and large entertainment operators like casinos, theme parks, and cruise lines. Many are freelancers hired production by production rather than permanent employees. If you are one of those organizations, the theatre, assistant, and production templates here are written for you, but your hiring and onboarding may run through institutional or union processes rather than a simple posting.
Professional theatre often runs through union agreements, not a free-form job description
Professional theatre stage managers are frequently represented by Actors' Equity Association, and live-event crews are often represented by IATSE. For an Equity production, a theatre commonly hires under a standardized union agreement rather than writing an open-market job description, which changes how the role is posted, paid, and onboarded. Before you post, confirm whether your production or venue is union, and if so, follow the applicable agreement. The templates here are a useful starting point for non-union productions and for the events side, where free-form hiring is more common.
The small business that truly hires a W-2 stage manager is usually a live-events or AV-production company
The small for-profit company that hires and onboards a stage manager as an employee is most often a live-events, AV, or corporate-production firm running a lean team of staff plus contractors. These companies hire project-based and seasonal stage managers and do handle real onboarding: contracts, venue-safety orientation, and certification tracking for fast-changing crews. The event, corporate, and small-company templates here are written for exactly that employer, and the onboarding section below is built for a company without a dedicated HR function that still needs to onboard each new hire quickly and consistently.
For the union side, the Actors' Equity Association represents professional actors and stage managers in theatre, and IATSE represents many live-event and production crew, so confirm union status before posting. The templates here serve non-union productions and the events side, where free-form hiring and onboarding are the norm.
Stage Manager Salary
Stage manager pay varies widely by setting and is often quoted per week, per production, or per event rather than as an annual salary, so state the pay basis clearly and benchmark to your specific context.
BLS Proxy Median $83,480; Stage-Manager Pay Lower (May 2024)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a standalone stage manager occupation; the role sits within producers and directors, which had a median annual wage of $83,480 in May 2024. That broad group includes higher-paid directors and producers and overstates typical stage manager pay. Third-party sources tracking stage managers specifically report national averages that are lower, commonly cited from roughly $47,000 to $55,000 a year, with wide variance by theatre, events, and large entertainment employers.
Because the federal category overstates the role and third-party figures span a wide range, treat any single number with caution and benchmark to your setting and engagement type. Whether the role is exempt or non-exempt depends on the duties, pay basis, and engagement, so review the exempt versus non-exempt tests and confirm the employee-versus-contractor question separately before you set pay.
After You Hire: Onboarding
Onboarding a stage manager is shaped by how the role is engaged: project-based and seasonal hires move fast, often arrive close to an event, and frequently return for the next one. For a small live-events or production company without a dedicated HR function, a quick, repeatable onboarding process is what keeps each new hire ready on time.
E-sign the contract or offer
Project-based and seasonal stage managers move fast. Send and e-sign the contract or offer, confirming dates, pay, and scope in writing before the first call.
Assign venue and safety training
Assign venue-safety and run-of-show orientation up front, so a new stage manager knows your procedures before they are running a live show.
Store certifications and documents
Keep union cards, certifications, and signed paperwork organized and on file, which matters for a crew that changes from event to event.
Onboard repeat and seasonal crew fast
For crews you rehire each season, keep profiles and documents ready so re-onboarding a returning stage manager takes minutes, not a full restart.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives the new hire a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer or contract, e-signature, training assignment, and onboarding workflow in one place, and stores signed paperwork, certifications, and union cards in employee profiles, so a small events or production company can onboard and re-onboard project-based crews quickly without a dedicated HR team. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a show-calling or production tool, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
A stage manager keeps a production organized, safe, and on schedule, in theatre or at live events.
Name the setting: theatre runs from a script and prompt book, while live events run on-site coordination and load-in.
Use the template that matches setting and level: theatre, assistant, production, event, corporate, or small company.
Professional theatre and event crews are often unionized (Actors' Equity, IATSE), which can change how you hire and post.
The BLS proxy category had a median of $83,480 in May 2024, but stage-manager-specific pay typically runs lower, roughly $47K to $55K.
Much of the work is project-based or seasonal, so confirm employee versus contractor and exempt versus non-exempt before setting pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a stage manager do?
A stage manager is the organizational and communication hub of a production. In theatre, the stage manager maintains the prompt book, records blocking, schedules and runs rehearsals, calls light and sound cues during performances, and serves as the director's representative once a show opens. In live events, the role shifts to managing the stage and backstage at concerts, festivals, and conferences, coordinating crew, talent, and AV, and keeping the show on schedule from load-in to load-out. Across both settings, the common thread is the same: the stage manager keeps the production organized, safe, and on time, and is the central point of contact across every department. It is a high-responsibility, detail-driven role that demands calm under pressure, because once a show is running, the stage manager is the person making real-time decisions that keep it on track.
What are the main duties and responsibilities of a stage manager?
Stage manager duties cluster into four areas. Planning and paperwork: maintaining the prompt book and blocking, building schedules and the run-of-show, and tracking and distributing production reports. Running the show: calling light, sound, and scene cues, managing the stage and backstage flow, and keeping transitions and timing on schedule. Coordination: communicating across cast, crew, and creatives, coordinating talent, AV, and vendors, and serving as the central point of contact. Safety and standards: upholding safety and venue requirements, managing load-in, tech, and changeovers, and solving problems calmly in real time. The emphasis shifts by setting. A theatre stage manager centers on the prompt book and calling a scripted show, while an event stage manager centers on on-site coordination and live transitions. A strong job description selects the responsibilities that match your production rather than listing every possible task.
What is the difference between a stage manager and an assistant stage manager?
They work as a team, distinguished by responsibility and seniority. The stage manager owns the production: the prompt book, the schedule, calling the show, and serving as the central point of communication and the director's representative once the show opens. The assistant stage manager (ASM) supports the stage manager, typically running a backstage area, managing the deck and props, tracking paperwork, and covering specific backstage tracks during performances. The ASM role is the standard path toward becoming a stage manager. On larger productions, a production stage manager (PSM) sits above the stage manager, leading the stage management team, setting standards across a season or repertory, and owning the run-of-show across multiple productions. When hiring, match the title to the scope you need: a single show usually needs a stage manager and possibly an ASM, while a season or multi-production operation may need a PSM to lead the team.
What is the difference between a theatre and a live-event stage manager?
Both keep a production organized and on schedule, but the context and skills differ. A theatre stage manager works from a script, maintains a prompt book, records blocking, runs rehearsals over a period of weeks, and calls a repeatable, scripted show night after night, often as the director's representative. A live-event stage manager works at concerts, festivals, conferences, and corporate events, where the show is built and run on site over hours or days, the focus is on coordinating crew, AV, talent, and venue logistics, and the run-of-show changes from event to event. Theatre leans on rehearsal discipline and cue-calling precision; live events lean on on-site problem-solving, load-in and load-out management, and real-time coordination under tight timelines. The templates on this page split along this line so the posting reflects the real work, because a candidate strong in one context is not automatically strong in the other.
Do stage managers belong to a union?
Often, yes, especially in professional theatre and live events. In professional theatre, stage managers are frequently represented by Actors' Equity Association, the labor union for professional actors and stage managers, and many theatres hire under standardized Equity agreements rather than open-market job descriptions. For live events, the crew, including many stage and production roles, is often represented by IATSE, and many venues use union labor for load-in and load-out. This matters for an employer because a union production or venue typically follows the applicable collective agreement for hiring, pay, and working conditions, rather than a free-form posting. Non-union productions and many small live-events and corporate-production companies hire more conventionally, which is where a job description template is most directly useful. Before posting, confirm whether your production or venue is union and follow the applicable agreement. This is general information, not legal advice.
What qualifications does a stage manager need?
A stage manager is hired primarily on experience rather than formal credentials. Many hold a bachelor's degree in theatre or stage management, but it is not strictly required, and a strong record of stage managing or assistant stage managing productions often matters more. The core qualifications are practical: exceptional organization, clear and calm communication, the ability to read a script and maintain a prompt book or run-of-show, comfort calling cues, and steadiness under pressure during a live show. Availability for evening, weekend, and tech-week or event schedules is essential, as is the willingness to travel for live events. There is no licensing or certification requirement for the role, though familiarity with stage management software and, for live events, venue-safety and load-in procedures is valuable. For an employer, the most useful screen is a candidate's production history and references, not a specific degree.
How much does a stage manager make?
Stage manager pay varies widely by setting, with theatre, live events, and large entertainment companies paying very differently, and much of the work is project-based or seasonal rather than salaried. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a standalone occupation for stage managers; they fall within producers and directors, which had a median annual wage of $83,480 in May 2024, but that broad category includes higher-paid directors and producers and overstates typical stage manager pay. Third-party sources that track stage manager pay specifically report national averages that are lower and span a wide range, commonly cited from roughly $47,000 to $55,000 a year, with higher figures in some markets and at large entertainment employers. Because pay is often quoted per week, per production, or per event rather than annually, benchmark to your specific setting and engagement type, and state the pay basis clearly in the posting. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is a stage manager exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
It depends on the actual duties, pay basis, and how the person is engaged, so it is not safe to assume from the title. A full-time stage manager with genuine managerial or administrative duties, paid on a salary basis above the federal threshold, may qualify as exempt, while an hourly, per-event, or project-based stage manager is often non-exempt and entitled to overtime. Many stage managers are engaged as project-based or seasonal workers, and some are genuine independent contractors rather than employees, which is a separate classification question with its own legal tests. Misclassification carries real risk, so confirm both the employee-versus-contractor question and the exempt-versus-non-exempt question against the actual arrangement and your state's rules, which can be stricter than the federal floor. When in doubt, treat the worker as non-exempt and track hours. This is general information, not legal advice.
