Pronouns: She/Her
Lafayette Degree & Major(s): Bachelor of Arts, English with a Theatre Concentration; Minor in Philosophy
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Title: AEA Stage Manager
Employer: Various theaters around the country
Describe what your employer/organization does: I work at regional theatres around the country that produce plays and musicals ranging from classics to contemporary works. Most shows have a few weeks of rehearsal and then a few weeks of performances.
Please provide a brief overview of your role: As a stage manager, my job is to handle scheduling, communication, and documentation throughout the rehearsal process, and to oversee all aspects of performances, which includes light, sound, and projection cues, costume changes, and set changes, all while maintaining the director’s vision and artistic integrity of the production.
What gets you excited to go to work each day? I get to collaborate with incredibly talented people, and I love being in the room where discoveries are made, human nature is explored, and beauty is created. I’m grateful that I chose a career where the work can’t be done remotely and every day looks a little different. It can be very high pressure but can be very satisfying. I genuinely enjoy the work that I do as a stage manager: creating paperwork to facilitate the production process, choreographing scene changes, supporting actors and directors, communicating with designers, … the list goes on and on.
What keeps you up at night as you think about the opportunities (or challenges) related to your work? As a freelance stage manager, I’m almost always applying for the next job. Most of my contracts are anywhere from 7 weeks to 5 months long, so I’m always keeping an eye on job posts and keeping my resume up to date. The exciting thing about freelancing is that I’ve been able to live and work in lots of different parts of the country, but it can also be stressful not knowing where I’ll be in 6 months or a year. On a day to day scale there’s an enormous amount of pressure on stage managers to anticipate problems and have all the answers. We’re the central hub of most of the communication that takes place, and we’re the ones making sure we’re staying on schedule and accomplishing our goals. How smoothly things go can often come down to how well we’ve planned and prepared.
What key strengths are necessary to be successful in entering this career field? It’s up to each person who goes into this field to determine what success looks like for them. Non-theatre people tend to think that working on Broadway is the only sign of success, but that absolutely isn’t the case. Working in this industry does require tenacity and a certain level of comfort with rejection and periods of unemployment. I always encourage people to stay open to opportunities that come along, because you may discover you really enjoy working on a type of show or in a certain environment that you hadn’t considered before.
Is education beyond a Lafayette degree required to pursue this path? It’s not super common for stage managers to get a formal education beyond an undergraduate degree because you learn so much by doing the job. I had stage management internships during and immediately following college, and then gradually worked my way up the career ladder. I’ve actually often found that a formal stage management education can be a hindrance because it gives people the idea that they “know how to stage manage” when really there’s no one right way to do the job. That being said, there’s always room to learn new skills and new technology. I’ve taken fight choreography and intimacy direction workshops so that I’m able to be a more proactive stage manager when it comes to safety. I also tend to ask a lot of questions about how various tech equipment works so that I have a better understanding of the implications if something breaks or goes wrong.
How did your Lafayette experience equip you for success in your career field, especially as an early career professional? During my time at Lafayette the theatre department was small, so I was able to get stage management experience starting freshman year. I think having 4 years worth of stage management credits on my resume made a difference when I started out.
What specific experiences during your time at Lafayette made the greatest impact on your professional path? The trust that my professors had in me and their mentorship of me as a stage manager gave me confidence that stage management was something I could pursue as a career.
As it relates to career exploration and development, what is one thing that you know now that you wish you could go back in time and tell your student self? A common hazard in our industry is getting burnt-out, so learning how to set boundaries is crucial. There’s a temptation to say “yes” to everything because you want to make a good impression, but it’s ok to make sure you’re getting adequate meal breaks and days off. There isn’t any glory in overworking yourself.
What advice do you have for students interested in pursuing your career field? Being someone people want to work with is very important; skills can be learned, but a good attitude is what will often get you hired and re-hired. You will absolutely be overworked and underpaid when you start out, so if you don’t get joy out of stage management, it isn’t worth pursuing as a career.
What strategies, tools, or other efforts do you utilize to find “balance” or reduce your career-related stress? I make my boundaries clear to my coworkers at the start of my contract. I let them know when I’m available (or not available) via email and text. I also make sure to physically step away from work for a few minutes when I take breaks so that I’m not tempted to work through breaks.
How do you enjoy spending your free time when not at work? I spend time with friends, get outdoors whenever possible, and volunteer with the kitties at the local animal shelter. I’ve also become more active in leadership roles in my union – Actors’ Equity Association.
What was your favorite spot on Lafayette’s campus when you were a student? I don’t usually follow sports, but I’ll always follow the Lafayette-Lehigh game!
Would you like to connect with Carolyn to learn more about her career path?
Ms. Fast is happy to connect with students via GatewayLink, LinkedIn, or email.
If you’d like to connect with Ms. Fast by email, please contact your Gateway Career Counselor for details.
