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Stage manager apprenticeships

Creative and media

Stage manager apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role


    • University

    You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in stage management, or a related subject like: 

    • performing arts production 
    • theatre practice 
    • technical theatre
    You can search for approved courses through the Stage Management Association. You'll often need practical backstage experience to apply for a course. You can get relevant experience from student, amateur or community theatre working as a casual stagehand in local theatre venues.

    You'll usually need 1 or 2 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma. You'll need 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree. 

    College
    You could do a college course, for example: 

    • Level 3 Diploma in Production Arts
    • Level 4 Professional Diploma in Technical and Production Practice
    The skills you'll learn on these courses could help when you look for a trainee assistant manager job with a stage or production company. You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a Level 3 course. You'll need 1 or 2 A-Levels, a Level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a Level 4 or 5 course.

    Apprenticeship
    You may be able to do a creative industries production management degree apprenticeship. You'll usually need experience in production management or production accounting to do this. To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-Levels, or equivalent. 

    Work
    You may be able to move into stage management after training as an actor. You could also work your way up if you have several years' experience as a backstage theatre technician.

    Professional and industry bodies
    You can join the Stage Management Association for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

    Stage manager apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need:

    • business management skills
    • leadership skills 
    • customer service skills 
    • the ability to use your initiative 
    • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure 
    • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    • to be thorough and pay attention to detail 
    • maths knowledge
    • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

    Stage manager apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    In your day-to-day duties you may: 

    • make sure crew and performers are in the right place at the right time
    • organise rehearsals 
    • work with staff to plan wardrobe, set design, scene changes, sound and lighting 
    • manage props and set dressing 
    • keep the ‘prompt copy’ of the script, which notes what’s happening in each scene 
    • liaise with theatre managers and front-of-house staff 
    • supervise the 'get in' and ‘get out’ – the times when sets and equipment are set up and taken down 
    • give cues for the performers to go on stage 
    • cue sound and lighting effects
    Working environment
    You could work at a TV studio, at a film studio or in a theatre. Your working environment may be noisy, physically demanding and you'll travel often.

    Career path and progression - Stage manager apprenticeships

    With experience, you could manage a theatre company, become a theatre producer, or move into TV production.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

    Start searching for Apprenticeships Near You

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