The Stage Management Team

Who are the members of the SM team?

The Stage Management team may consist of the following members:

• Production Stage Manager (PSM)
• Stage Manager (SM)
• Assistant Stage Manager (ASM)
• Production Assistant (PA)

The SM team can consist of many people and multiple ASMs, or as few as one person running everything. If only one SM is contracted on a show, they are just called the Stage Manager.

Typically in High School the term Production Stage Manager isn’t used often. They will refer to the person in charge of the team as just the Stage Manager, and everyone else is an ASM.

Responsibilities of each member

Although these are typical responsibilities of each member, every production is different. Some productions only have 2 SMs on contract, while others may have as many as 5. On each production, the responsibilities should be spread amongst the team to hopefully cater to the strengths of every member when possible.

Responsibilities based on level of production

Depending on the level of production and the configuration of the SM team, the responsibilities of each member will differ. Since there are a few common configurations, click below to jump to more on the level you are curious about.

High-School and College SM Team

How Many People are on a High-School or College SM Team?

The most common configuration I experienced during my time in educational theatre was 3 members of the SM team, with one Stage Manager, and Two Assistant Stage Managers. This is common because there are usually plenty of students looking for experience who can fill these roles even on small shows.

The Stage Manager

The Stage Manager on an educational production is the one in charge of running most of the technical elements of the show. They call the show, help organize rehearsals, and help the director facilitate the production. They will:

• Distribute schedules
• Take blocking notes
• Track props
• Call the show
• Assist the Director in facilitating rehearsals

For more on what the Stage Manager does, I have written a series of posts outlining exactly what the major responsibilities are, and how to accomplish most of the tasks every stage manager will need to know. Start on my post What does a Stage Manager do? for a starting point.

The Assistant Stage Managers

The Assistant Stage Managers on educational productions are often the ones there to help set up rehearsals and preset for the show, as well as doing scene changes and helping crew members. Their responsibilities are:

• Setting up the rehearsal room
• Presetting before each show
• Staying on book during rehearsals
• Teaching and helping crew accomplish scenic changes
• Assisting the Stage Manager and Director when needed

Community and Small Professional Theatre

How Many People are on an SPT or Community Theatre SM team?

Typically these SM teams will only be 1-2 people, since most of these productions are operating on relatively small budgets. Small AEA productions will require only 1 SM on contract, while some larger shows require 2. Community Theatre will rarely have more than 1 stage manager doing it all.

The Stage Manager

On shows with only one Stage Manager, they will be doing every job that the entire SM team would be expected to do. They are taking on every role in terms of tracking people, scenery, and props, as well as calling the show. They are often the one pressing GO in place of a board op as well.

The Assistant Stage Manager

If an ASM is contracted on these shows, they will take on most of the props, scenic, and crew tracking of the show, leaving the Stage Manager to focus on the other technical elements and scheduling. Their role is a bit flexible, but this is the most common configuration.

Broadway and Commercial Theatre SM Team

How Many People are on a Broadway SM Team?

A Broadway Stage Management team typically consists of 3 members, with one or two extra during rehearsals known as Production Assistants. On some productions, there may be as many as 5 stage managers working on the show for the entire run.

The title of each member of the SM team on a Broadway is a bit confusing. In their contracts and within the team, the members will be referred to as the SM, the 1st ASM, the 2nd ASM. Things get weird when these titles are transferred to the program. They are transferred as Production Stage Manager, Stage Manager, and Assistant Stage Manager respectively.

Production Stage Manager

In simple terms, the Production Stage Manager is responsible for every element on a broad strokes level, and focusses mainly on running rehearsals and performances. They call cues during the show, assist the Director during rehearsals, and act as a sort of replacement director once the show opens.

The PSM does things like:

• Send rehearsal and performance reports
• Create and send schedules
• Call cues during performances
• Assist the Director
• Run rehearsal and tech
• Handle personelle issues
• Call and run brush up rehearsals after opening
• Train the rest of the SM team

Stage Manager (First ASM)

The First ASM is typically referred to as simply the “First”, and they focus mostly on running and organizing what happens on the stage floor itself, rather than the production elements as a whole. This might include scene shifts, traffic patterns, and training crew members.

Once the show is open, the ASM’s and PSM will normally swap off between each of the different tracks in order to learn each others roles. This allows them to fill in when needed, and allows the PSM to watch the show for acting notes sometimes as well.

SM responsibilities include:

• Tracking all backstage movements during rehearsals to prepare for tech
• Creating a plan for each scene shift prior to tech
• Running backstage guiding actors, scenic pieces, and props during tech and performances
• Ensuring the stage is ready for rehearsals and performances
• Assisting the PSM as necessary

Assistant Stage Manager (Second ASM)

The 2nd ASM (referred to as the “Second”) typically assists both the PSM and First with anything they need during rehearsals and performances. They will also share the responsibility of setting up and running the backstage track with the First.

Their responsibilities may include:

• Sweeping
• Paperwork
• Notating blocking
• Being “On-Book” to feed lines to actors as they get off-book
• Training crew members

While these lists aren’t complete, they give you a basic idea of the common breakdown of responsibilities.

Production Assistant (PA)

The Production Assistant is typically only hired for the rehearsal process, and helps with mostly logistical things. They will be prepping the next rehearsal room while the other SM’s are in rehearsal, getting coffee ready, and generally doing all the time consuming tasks for the SM team.

A particularly skilled PA can be given more responsibility like being on book, or other tasks if the SM team feels they are up for it. Here are their typical responsibilities:

• Prepping rehearsal halls
• Printing documents
• Preparing paperwork
• Assisting the SM team with any needs

Think of the PA more as closer to a paid intern type of position than anything else. They are there to help ease the load on the rest of the SM team during rehearsals and tech.

Production Stage Manager vs Stage Manager

One common question that gets asked is what is the difference between a Production Stage Manager and a Stage Manager?

The PSM is the head of the Stage Management Team, and the SM is the second in command on commercial and broadway shows. On smaller productions, there may not be someone with the title of PSM, but rather just an SM. In this case the SM is the head of the team.

The title PSM is often given to the Stage Manager when the production requires them to take on more of a director role once the production opens. On most broadway shows, the Director is no longer involved once the show opens, so the PSM takes over this role to maintain the original vision.

The skills that help make a great stage manager are something that many people overlook when considering stage managing their first show. I have written an article detailing the 11 Skills Every Stage Manager Needs which should help you to judge whether it is right for you or not.