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Theatre Stage Manager
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Stage managers provide support to all areas of a theatrical production, ensuring everything runs smoothly. They act as the director’s representative during performances. From the beginning to the end of a theatre production, stage managers coordinate much of what the audience sees on stage. In general, they:
During rehearsals, stage managers:
On opening nights, directors hand over shows to stage managers. After that, stage managers are completely responsible for productions and maintaining the artistic and technical intentions of the directors and designers.
During performances, stage managers:
In amateur or community theatre groups and some smaller professional theatres, stage managers also may help build and paint sets, operate lighting or audio during performances or take responsibility for finding people to help “strike” the set and store lights, sets, costumes and props. In larger theatres, stage managers usually have assistants.
Stage managers work long, irregular hours and must be prepared to work through weekends and holidays. Most productions are held during the evenings with rehearsals during the day. If a stage production is touring, the stage manager is expected to travel with the show.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in supervising stage and set construction in production studio, on stage and on location; in planning construction schedules and distribution of work; and in ensuring a safe working environment
Interest in co-ordinating information to assess construction time requirements, estimate costs of building materials and to prepare construction drawings and instructions for assembling of sets
Interest in ensuring that equipment and tools are in proper working condition and in maintaining a hazard-free workplace
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Stage managers need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 13 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 19, 2022 and Nov 22, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 8 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Initiative | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 7 |
| Tasks: Supervise staff | 7 |
| Tasks: Co-ordinate the work of camera operators and other technical staff | 7 |
| Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 6 |
Stage management requires people skills and technical skills. The technical aspects can be learned by working in the theatre or through formal training. Many stage managers take a related post-secondary education program and then participate in an apprenticeship program administered by Actors’ Equity.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
During the summer months, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity offers Work Study programs for people who have post-secondary education in Theatre Production. The Centre also offers Theatre Production Residencies in stage management.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Stage managers work for:
They may be hired for the run of 1 production or a season and often accompany touring companies. Even large theatres may not hire stage managers year round.
Experienced stage managers may move into other positions in film and television production, arts administration, concert production or special event stage management (for example, Olympic events, festivals).
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
2016 NOC: 5226
75.3% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Since stage managers usually are hired on contract, their annual incomes vary considerably from one person to another and may vary from one year to another.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $17.00 | $36.16 | $26.15 | $25.38 |
| Overall | $17.50 | $47.48 | $27.91 | $25.38 |
| Top | $22.25 | $47.48 | $28.77 | $25.38 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $45,495 |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $40,891 |
| Public Administration | $91,339 |
Canadian Actors’ Equity Association – Stage Management website: www.caea.com
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada (IATSE) District 12 website: www.iad12.com
Professional Association of Canadian Theatres website: pact.ca
Stage Managing the Arts (SMArts) website: stagemanagingthe arts.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
