A stage manager's duties can become anything the director needs them to be, but the basics of the job include taking notes on actor lines and positioning as well as technical needs during rehearsals. If no assistant stage managers are present, the stage manager (SM) prepares the rehearsal space and restores it after rehearsals. The SM's script becomes the show's "bible," containing all notes that will be needed once the show is in production. During technical rehearsals, lighting, sound and other production crew cues are added to the script, and the stage manager is responsible for ensuring all cues are enacted on time during every show.
The SM's foremost responsibility is to act as the director's second-in-command throughout the rehearsal process, then take over the command once the play goes into performance. Although the SM has a large amount of responsibility in fulfilling these duties, he is not allowed the creative license to change the director's decisions for the show. He is there to carry out the director's vision rather than add his own. However, if an emergency comes up, the stage manager is the responsible party in making the decisions regarding how to handle that emergency, such as whether to stop the show or continue if technical failures occur.
Stage managers generally have general theater degrees that include acting, directing, lighting, sound, scenery, costume and makeup training. SMs are the generalists of theater and are conversant in the technical jargon of each discipline within the theater so that they can ensure all departments communicate clearly. A bachelor's level degree is common for a stage manager, with either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Production being the most relevant to the position. However, many SMs work their way up through volunteer positions, using on-the-job training in place of or as a supplement to formal college training. Hands-on experience of some sort, whether through volunteering with amateur companies or through educational programs, is necessary for any paid position in stage management.
Stage management is one of the highest-stress jobs in theater, as it includes a large amount of responsibility and necessitates dealing with a variety of personality types, many of whom feel their needs outweigh other departments' needs. Stage managers must be diplomatic yet firm, able to negotiate when necessary and be blunt when it is called for, always remaining courteous to everyone. Long hours, including evenings, nights and weekends are often called for in this job position, and the dedication to attend every rehearsal and performance is crucial for a successful production.
SMs may be paid as regular hourly or salaried workers for theater companies, or they may be contracted and paid by the project. The latter case is particularly common for touring shows, where the stage manager earns an overall stipend plus a per diem for food and necessities on the road, and in smaller production companies that cannot employ a stage manager full-time. Reports as of May 2010 list stage manager salaries ranging from $26,992 to $50,989 (including all bonuses), according to Payscale.com.