Author Topic: Stage Manager Pay  (Read 12096 times)

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tsebastian123

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Stage Manager Pay
« on: Feb 05, 2013, 09:25 pm »
How much do stage managers get paid? Is it worth studying in school and becoming professionally?   ::)

Jessie_K

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Re: Stage Manager Pay
« Reply #1 on: Feb 05, 2013, 09:39 pm »
Stage Manager salaries can range from 99 dollars for a whole run of a show to 3000 a week.  Obviously the highest paying jobs are nearly impossible to get and extremely rare.

Only you can decide if its worth the time and effort. 

What about stage management do you like?  Do you need to do it full-time?  Are you willing to be unemployed or take another kind of job to make ends meet between gigs?

Maribeth

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Re: Stage Manager Pay
« Reply #2 on: Feb 05, 2013, 09:43 pm »
I would take a look at the thread that's active right now about what people give up for this job- http://smnetwork.org/forum/the-green-room/the-things-we-give-up-for-theatre/

Like Jessie said, only you can decide if it's worth it.

MatthewShiner

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Re: Stage Manager Pay
« Reply #3 on: Feb 05, 2013, 09:59 pm »
I don't think it's something you go in for the money.

Pay varies from nothing to $150,000 (and sometimes up) a year - but it really depends on what level you are working, the type of shows you work on, and your experience.

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Anything posted here as in my own personal opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer - whomever they be at a given moment in time.

missliz

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Re: Stage Manager Pay
« Reply #4 on: Feb 05, 2013, 10:08 pm »
Pay can vary. As for if it's worth it? I think you're going to get a biased answer, since this is a stage management forum.

If it excites you, and motivates you enough to pursue even when it's tough, then yes, it's worth it.
I personally would like to bring a tortoise onto the stage, turn it into a racehorse, then into a hat, a song, a dragon and a fountain of water. One can dare anything in the theatre and it is the place where one dares the least. -Ionesco

MatthewShiner

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Re: Stage Manager Pay
« Reply #5 on: Feb 05, 2013, 10:36 pm »
This is my advice . . .

if you can do anything else and be happy, do that.

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Anything posted here as in my own personal opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer - whomever they be at a given moment in time.

rspining

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Re: Stage Manager Pay
« Reply #6 on: Feb 05, 2013, 11:50 pm »
This is my advice . . .

if you can do anything else and be happy, do that.

I completely agree with this statement. Stage Management is one of the most difficult, time consuming, thankless jobs I have ever even heard of. You have to fight to get work and (if you're doing a good job) will constantly work far outside of your job description for the sake of the show. This is a job where you give up everything for your work, ie weddings, birthdays, births, deaths, holidays, your health, and sanity at times. It requires a huge amount of stamina and initiative, and very few people are paid well.

If there is a question about whether you want to do it or not, then don't do it.

loebtmc

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Re: Stage Manager Pay
« Reply #7 on: Feb 06, 2013, 01:35 am »
This sounds like a project. Why are you asking? You can look up pay scales in all the contracts on the AEA sites under agreements, and you can ask your local community and small theatre SMs what they make, but most of all, why is that your first qq? What is the question you mean to ask: is it whether you can make a reasonable living as a stage manager, or are you asking if pays enough for your ideal lifestyle? I don't hear you asking about our job.....so I am wondering why you want to know.

MatthewShiner

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Re: Stage Manager Pay
« Reply #8 on: Feb 06, 2013, 02:03 am »
But, let's be honest - the best paying jobs are not AEA jobs . . . I think it's a fair question to ask about pay.

The more interesting part is it worth doing for a living . . .

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Anything posted here as in my own personal opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer - whomever they be at a given moment in time.

Caroline Naveen

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Re: Stage Manager Pay
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2013, 07:03 pm »
How much do stage managers get paid? Is it worth studying in school and becoming professionally?   ::)

I almost was about to post this same question. I am seriously considering doing Stage Management as a career and I can't picture myself doing anything else with my life. But, my parents what me to make sure it pays well enough to support myself with.....I honestly think I am willing to make the sacrifices to do what I love and if I can talk my parents into it what is the best degree to get if you want to become a stage manager? I know for a fact that I defiantly want to go into something for "Backstage" theatre and I have the most experience as a stage manager and I get the most joy out of that position. I guess what I'm trying to say what is the degree that would benefit me most in the future?