New to SMing

[kacey18]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the idea of stage management. I performed in many shows in high school (and earlier), but my stage fright tends to get the better of me, so I think I'm more suited to backstage work. I'm already nearly finished with my college degree (in English), so it's too late for me to change majors. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to get started in this craft without having a degree.

Thanks in advance!
-Kacey

[Thespi620]

Hey Kacey!

I think what most people on these boards will tell you is to just start looking for shows that need production assistants, assistant stage managers, and even smaller community shows that need SMs.  In my opinion, the best way to learn how to be a stage manager is to do it.  Find a regional theater near you and see if you can shadow someone, if there's a summer stock or community theater nearby see if they have internships or assistant positions, and make it known that you're willing to work and eager to learn.

Make sure you poke around the forums here, too--there is a ton of info on getting started and really anything else you may need/want to know. 

Keep us posted on what you're doing, and good luck!

[kacey18]

Thank you I'm going to try for a community production of Rent that I juts heard about. Fingers crossed!

[SMrose]

I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to get started in this craft without having a degree.

I've worked and still work with many stage managers in community theatre that don't have a theatre degree.  You may also want to be on crew, assist the designers and shadow the director as all of this is something the SM should be familiar with.  And of course all the great advice on the boards here will help show and give examples of 
the big picture of stage management.

Crossing fingers and yes, keep us posted!

[kacey18]

Thanks for the advice

[cprted]

I fully agree with everything that has been said here.  You certainly don't need a theatre degree to work in theatre.  My degree is in History and I'm able to make a living in the industry.

[MatthewShiner]

To be honest, you don't need a degree in theatre to do this job, your don't need a masters degree in theatre to do this job.  You just need to be able to do the job.  I have worked with fantastic stage managers who never once took a theatre class (ex-computer programmers, ex-school teachers, ex-administrators).  Having a degree is just experience that you can build on, but you can get experience on the job . . .

[kacey18]

Do you know how to go about shadowing a Broadway touring company's stage manager? I heard you can do it, and there 2NT of Wicked is coming near me soon and I would love to shadow them...