The Importance of Professional Practice as a Stage Manager
Bryan Runion ·
The importance of professional practice as a Stage Manager lies in networking, interviewing, and following up — essential skills for lasting career success.
The importance of professional practice as a Stage Manager cannot be overstated. Beyond calling cues and managing rehearsals, your ability to network, interview effectively, and follow up determines whether you land your next contract. These skills are not optional, they are central to sustaining a career in stage management. In a freelance world, where every job can connect you to your future opportunities, how you conduct yourself offstage matters just as much as the work you deliver inside the theatre.
The Importance of Professional Practice as a Stage Manager in Networking
Networking in stage management isn’t just collecting contacts, it’s cultivating relationships. The people you meet today may be tomorrow’s collaborators, directors, or employers. Strong networks sustain careers, open doors, and deepen trust in an industry built on relationships.
Attend industry events: Conferences, workshops, and trade shows connect you with peers who understand the unique pressures of backstage leadership. The Broadway Stage Management Symposium is a prime example, bringing together Broadway and international Stage Managers to share career paths, challenges, and lessons learned.
Join professional organizations: Groups like the Stage Managers’ Association (SMA) and Actors’ Equity Association (for eligible members) provide resources, advocacy, and social events. These communities are where Stage Managers meet, share opportunities, and build mutual support.
Volunteer strategically: Offering your skills to local productions, film shoots, or festivals can lead to long-term connections. Sometimes that means working for less than your usual rate early on, but the investment in relationships often pays dividends later.
Related Read: Building a Career in Live Entertainment
Interviewing as a Stage Manager
Interviews in stage management are not simply about proving competence. They are about demonstrating leadership, communication, and your ability to align with a company’s culture and needs. Preparation is as much about mindset as it is about résumé.
Research the company deeply: Learn the history, mission, and artistic vision of the company or production. Tailor your answers to show why you belong in this room, not just any room.
Frame your experiences as stories: Be ready to describe productions you’ve worked on, challenges you’ve faced, and how you adapted. Employers want to hear how you think and problem-solve under pressure.
Ask thoughtful questions: Inquire about what they need from a Stage Manager and where they feel gaps in their current team. This positions you as a collaborator rather than just a candidate.
Communicate with clarity: Every email, every answer, every follow-up is a chance to model the communication that defines the job. Grammar, tone, and presence all matter.
Check out the Stage Managers’ Association for additional career guidance.
Following Up Professionally
Following up is often overlooked, yet it’s one of the simplest ways to stand out. Employers remember candidates who show care, gratitude, and consistency.
Send a thank-you note quickly: A handwritten note is ideal, but a professional email within 24 hours also works. Reiterate your interest and thank them for their time.
Respect the timeline: If a timeline was shared, follow up accordingly. If not, wait about a week before checking in. Persistence is valuable, but patience is professional.
Keep perspective: Hiring takes time. Silence doesn’t mean rejection. Continue your search and maintain momentum while waiting.
Professional Practice is Human Practice
Stage management is built on trust, presence, and relationships. As Jonathan Miller once said, “What makes art special is not the art itself, but the people who make the art that matter.” Professional practice — networking, interviewing, and following up — is not separate from stage management. It is stage management. The way we treat people, the clarity we bring to conversations, and the care we take in our follow-through shape not only our reputations, but also the communities we help build.
Key Takeaways
Following up with care shows professionalism, gratitude, and consistency.
Networking isn’t transactional, it’s relational — invest in people, not just contacts.
Interviews are about alignment, communication, and demonstrating leadership under pressure.
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Updated August 2025