What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Stage Manager position at The Ruth Theater?
Compensation: Rehearsal Stipend of $5,500.00, Production Pay is $20.00 per hour
Summary: The Ruth & Nathan Hale Theater is looking to hire experienced stage managers
for our 2026/2027 season and beyond. The Production Stage Manager (PSM) is responsible
for the overall coordination, execution, and maintenance of the production from preproduction through closing. The PSM serves as the central communication hub between
the artistic team, cast, crew, and production departments, ensuring the artistic vision is
executed safely, efficiently, and consistently at every performance.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Auditions and Callbacks:
- Assist the Casting Coordinator with watching audition videos come in.
- Assist the Casting Coordinator and the directing team on Callback day,
as needed.
Pre-Production:
- Read and create and Production Analysis of the script to familiarize yourself with
effects, specific light effects, specific wardrobe needs, and special effects.
- Generate the Welcome Emails, Cast Info Forms, Contact Sheets, and more once
- Attend the Production Palooza - a mandatory meeting for the show team and cast
- Using The Ruth’s Templates, prepare any stage management paperwork and set up
etc.).
- Along with the Director of Stage Management create Production Books for the
scenic renderings, etc)
- Create and distribute a rehearsal schedule: first to the Production Manager and
- Prep the rehearsal studios a week prior to the first rehearsal, setting up supplies
Production Meetings:
- Participate in all production meetings and collaborate with the director and creative
- Rehearsals:
- Run all rehearsals, maintaining a structured, professional, and productive
- Record blocking, music track changes, and maintain the integrity of the director’s
- Send daily rehearsal reports to coordinate with designers and technical
- Ensure safety standards and best practices are followed at all times, including
Tech Rehearsals:
- Run all technical rehearsals, maintaining a structured, professional, and productive
- Oversee the integration of all technical elements, including lighting, sound, set and
o Conduct technical run-throughs to ensure all cues are correctly timed and
executed.
- Create and maintain a cue script/prompt book throughout the entire production,
1st preview for review and for future sub stage managers to be able to use.
- Address and resolve any technical or logistical issues that arise during tech
- Show calm leadership on all fronts to ensure the cast feels supported and prepared
Performances:
- With the Assistant Stage Manager, schedule the call times for cast and running
o Build the Performance Sign in Sheet so all departments are clear on who is
performing when.
- Conduct pre-show checks to ensure all technical elements are in place and
o Lights, Sound, Automation, Atmospheric, and Mic Checks as needed
o Lead fight and lift calls as needed
o Work with FOH to open the house 30 minutes prior to the start of the
performance.
- Call all technical cues during performances, coordinating with board operators and
- Maintain the artistic quality and pacing of the show throughout the run.
- Handle any issues that arise during performances promptly and efficiently.
- Maintain open lines of communication with front-of-house staff and other
- Communicate how the show went with Performance Reports after each
Post-Production:
- Collect and facilitate return of badges, scripts, and rehearsal materials. (On an
- Compile and distribute final production notes for our postmortem meeting on what
Overall Leadership & Communication:
- Foster a professional, respectful, and collaborative working environment.
- Supervise and mentor Assistant Stage Managers/Deck Leads to foster a positive
crew, and production leadership.
- Anticipate challenges and proactively problem-solve.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Education Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in stage management, theatre
experience.
- Experience in Job Type: 3 years' experience as a Stage Manager in a theater or live
- Skills Required:
blocking, and scheduling.
o Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, sense of timing, with a keen
eye for detail and accuracy of work.
o Strong leadership abilities, with the capability to manage a team effectively.
o Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively
with diverse personalities.
o Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships
with members of The Ruth staff as well as contracted artists.
o Sensitivity to the needs and concerns of participants from diverse
backgrounds
o Optimism, sense of humor, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and the
ability to work under time constraints with creative team members, The Ruth
staff, and working on projects alone.
o Ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and solve problems in a
fast-paced environment.
o Experience in maintaining a prompt book and calling performances.
o Ability to read and interpret ground plans and design drawings.
o Must be available to work weekday evenings and Saturdays as required by
the production schedule.
o Must be comfortable with physical activity, including but not limited to
walking, standing, lift of up to 30 pounds.
o Must be comfortable with varying work environments, including but not
limited to quiet and loud spaces.
o Ability to run and edit a QLab file efficiently during rehearsals and
performances.
o Experience running a light and/or sound board is a plus.
o Ability to adapt to new ideas, theatre cultures, and the Ruth standards.
Compensation Guidelines:
Position Type: Part-Time Hours to work: Varies based on production needs
Production Schedule:
- Pre-production: 32-35 weeks prior to opening (production meetings, building
- Rehearsals: 8-10 weeks
- Tech: 2 weeks
- Performances: 8-13 weeks Nature of Compensation: Rehearsal Stipend, Hourly
Salary : $20