A company manager takes care of artists from the day they're cast to the day the production closes. Once the artistic director has selected actors for a production, the company manager offers the roles to the actors and prepares all contracts. The company manager arranges flights, including ground transportation, to the theater, if necessary. The company manager also arranges housing for the actors, oversees use of company vehicles and arranges for meals. She also helps with emergencies, such as arranging trips to the hospital or flights home if one of the actors has a death in the family. In an interview with Talkin' Broadway, company manager Rachel Blavatnik reported that "on any given day, my job description runs the gambit of administrator, counselor, chauffeur, cook and even maid."
Company managers are extremely familiar with the process of mounting a professional stage production. Most company managers are former performers or have worked backstage on a crew. Some performing arts schools offer a bachelor's degree in theater arts management and gain experience outside the classroom by participating in a company management internship at a regional theater.
Company managers must be extremely organized while also being flexible. As a liaison between the management office and the actors, you must maintain budgets, schedules and contract. You must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. This includes assessing which information is most relevant to particular artists involved in the project and sharing that information at appropriate times. Above all, you must have the ability to maintain a positive attitude while working long hours in a fast-paced, creative environment.
While some theaters employ full-time company managers, many company managers travel as part of their career. For example, you may travel to a theater to work as company manager for 3 or 4 months during its summer season. Company managers also go on national tours of musicals and plays.
While the overall industry of recreation and leisure is expected to grow, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that "because of competition from competing forms of entertainment, employment in the performing arts is not expected to grow significantly." A company manager is part of the performing arts industry. Earnings are typically lower than those for comparable jobs in other industries, such as managers in hospitality or nonprofits.