Stage Manager Resume Sample

A stage manager might be the second most important person in theater production. They are responsible for ensuring that everything related to the stage runs smoothly, including lightning, costumes, music, and whatnot. That’s why it’s essential for every stage manager to be able to show that they are well aware of the entire work process of theater production.

To help you land your dream job, we’ll discuss everything that you should and shouldn’t put on a resume, including:

• Resume summary and objective
• Education
• Experience
• Skills
• Additional Information

Follow our stage manager resume sample—and you’ll have no shortage of interviews.

How to Format a Stage Manager Resume

The typical stage manager resume format isn’t different from any other resume. The layout and things you’re supposed to write there (such as work experience, education, and so on) are pretty much the same. Stay concise and use bullet points throughout.

For your job application to succeed and get you an interview, make sure to use all the necessary keywords relevant for the job of a stage manager. If you are still questioning, “how do I write my resume,” check out our resume sample and guidelines.

We encourage you to explore the following resume examples developed using our resume writing service. We’ve developed them for dozens of professions in all kinds of industries: from customer service to engineering. And we will keep updating the list each week with new examples.

Stage Manager Resume [Sample]

A good stage manager resume should strike the right balance between being standard and standing out. List everything that matters for the job you’re applying for (your work experience, education, key skills, and more). But be brief. And make sure to read the job requirements thoroughly first to mirror them in your resume.

Here’s a great resume sample for stage manager that is guaranteed to make recruiters want to invite the candidate for an interview and then, hopefully, hire them.

Resume Objective & Resume Summary

A stage manager resume objective and summary are central to the recruiter’s first impression of your resume. A lot of candidates don’t know what the difference between the two is. If you’re one of them, we’ve got you covered.

A resume objective states what your purpose as a job seeker is (meaning to get an interview and eventually land a stage manager job at a particular company). In contrast, a resume summary summarizes your experience and training in two lines for recruiters’ convenience.

Resume Summary [Examples]

Not all resumes are created equal. Some land job seekers interviews and increase their chances for success in the job market. Others don’t work. Check out our resume sample above and compare these two stage manager resume samples for summaries to know how to write yours correctly.

Resume Objective [Examples]

Now, a stage manager resume objective is all about what you as a job seeker want to get. Once again, the more specific, the better. Don’t be afraid to follow a good professional resume example but tailor it to your experience, training, and, most importantly, career goals.

Resume Examples [Experience]

Work experience is the key part of any resume, so it must be perfect. Don’t try to put everything you’ve ever done there. Instead, use our sample stage manager resume as a model and only list the two most recent workplaces (or the two most relevant ones).

Also, talk about your duties and include any important data a potential employer might be interested in. Theater productions are art, but they are also business. So if you’ve had some budgeting achievements (for example, preparing a very successful product with an extremely limited budget), do put this on your stage manager sample resume.

Entry Level Stage Manager Resume [Experience]

Even if you don’t have much stage management experience, you can present what you have in the best light. A resume for stage manager with no experience should include any internships you’ve had, projects you’ve done for school, and other things that show that you’re aware of the responsibilities of a stage manager.

A lot of employers are looking for entry-level candidates, so a lack of experience isn’t a reason to fall into despair. But don’t forget to use keywords to make sure that resume-scanning automation doesn’t prevent your resume from reaching your potential employer.

Entry Level Stage Manager [Sample] 

Just like it is in our stage manager resume examples, your experience section should be detailed but not too long. Recruiters have a lot of acceptance for entry-level candidates but not so much if they can’t get through a five-page-long resume.

But being too concise isn’t a winning strategy either. Don’t repeat the mistake you can see below in this “wrong” experience section from a resume example.

Education Section: What Should Go Here

Education is also an essential part of a stage manager resume, even more so if you don’t have much work experience yet. Stage manager education doesn’t necessarily have to be a stage management program per se. If you have another background in theater, music, or stage design, the recruiter will know that you have much to offer to the creation of theater productions.

The main requirements for the education section of your resume are to present all the necessary information (name of the program, the educational institution, years) and use bullet points. But it can help to add a little more, such as your GPA.

Stage Manager Resume Examples [Education]

For your education section to help your career growth, it must communicate that you’re well familiar with the stage manager requirements. Include a line or two about your program.

Check out the stage manager resume samples for the education section below. None of them is necessarily wrong, but the second one is much better. It’ll show the recruiter that your education was indeed relevant and will help your achievements as a stage manager.

Skills on a Resume for a Stage Manager

All professional stage manager resume samples include not just the candidate’s work experience and education but also a list of skills that make them destined for success in their chosen career field. So pay attention to what you put on your list of stage manager resume skills. You should have a good balance of hard and soft ones. Here are a few to consider:

• Effective coordination of stage crews
• Deep knowledge of the technical aspects of productions, including music and lighting
• Sufficient expertise in set design and costume production
• Understanding of the rehearsal process and ability to manage it
• Superb managerial qualities
• Outstanding teamwork skills
• Ability to work within tight deadlines

Stage Manager Resume Examples [Skills]

Look at a couple of stage manager resume samples. You’ll see that all professional stage manager resume examples feature both hard and soft skills in the skills section. Otherwise, a recruiter will be left wondering how capable you’re of working side-by-side with different individuals across various occupations.

How to Make Your Resume Catch the Recruiter’s Attention

Aside from all the mandatory stage manager resume sections, it’s the right choice to go a step further and add additional resume sections revealing your extra skills or interests. You never know. Your dream employer might decide to invite you for an interview and then recruit you, thanks to your knowledge of music composition. Don’t go overboard, though. Two to three bullet points are more than enough.

Stage Manager Resume Examples [Other Sections]

A professional stage manager resume shouldn’t include anything that has nothing to do with your work. So choose those of your interests that might be helpful for stage manager jobs. For example, if you’re applying for a position at a theater company that travels a lot, knowledge of foreign languages will be a massive plus for you.

Use Stage Manager Resume Keywords

Finally, as discussed, your stage manager resume must include all the relevant keywords and action words. Otherwise, no recruiter won’t even see your resume because it won’t pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Keywords are the names of roles and skills typically expected from a stage manager. In turn, action verbs are what you begin most of your bullet points with. To avoid using the same ones over and over again, consider adding some of these:

1. Coordinated
2. Organized
3. Oversaw
4. Devised
5. Initiated
6. Motivated
7. Regulated
8. Mentored
9. Evaluated
10. Quantified
11. Completed
12. Succeeded
13. Resolved
14. Negotiated
15. Assessed
16. Navigated
17. Partnered
18. Examined
19. Analyzed
20. Edited
21. Designed
22. Monitored
23. Screened
24. Reached
25. Exceeded

You don’t need to use all of these. Just choose a couple to substitute the overused “managed” and “directed” with. You’ll sound more competent.

An Afterword

Now you know at least the basics of how to write a stage manager resume. If you follow this guide, some recruiter will definitely notice you, and you’ll get a chance to land a great job. But if you’re still unsure about your resume writing skills, the right thing to do is to get help from a professional editing service. Our experts will make your professional experience and achievement look so impressive that no recruiter will miss them.