Full name/age/job title

Anna Bilson 22, Stage Manager  

Please give us an overview of your average day

An average day? This is a pretty tricky question to answer. It can range from driving a van from venue to venue and lugging huge pieces of set around, to marking out set plans in the rehearsal room, or searching for props. This month, for example, I have been on tour with Everyday's production of The Love Project, worked at the Brighton Fringe Festival with Guilt and Shame and headed off on tour. 

Stage management skills are also extremely transferable, and alongside my work in theatre I’ve worked at festivals, and for a local club in Leeds as a PR and event assistant. 

What is the most common misconception about your job? 

I find that a lot of people don't actually know what a stage manager does or is. I didn't before I started university. So often the most common misconception is that a stage manager is just responsible for the show technically. But there are many different types of stage management, from company stage management to technical stage management. A job can be advertised as one, but actually it ticks a number of different job titles. 

What is the hardest thing about your role?

I think the hardest thing about being a stage manager is also my favourite thing: constantly adapting to new environments and ways of working. Different jobs require different skills, and adapting to these on a monthly basis can be challenging, but also exciting. I think the most important thing I've found is starting every job fully prepared and open minded. It can sometimes be very tricky when jobs overlap, but it makes working more exciting.  

When did you decide what you wanted to do with your life and how did you start out achieving it? 

I decided I wanted to be a stage manager during my first year of university in Leeds. I've always known I wanted to work in theatre, and my course (Managing Performance) was structured towards a managerial role in theatre. 

I was part of my university's backstage society, and I worked with numerous companies on work experience. I only graduated last summer so I suppose I still have a lot to achieve, but the best thing I did was intern with Opera North as an Assistant Stage Manager and was lucky enough to run my own wing up until opening night.

What can you do to get a head start?

Work experience. I don't think I'd be working now if it wasn't for the contacts I made and skills I learnt doing work experience. Another must is working at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

If I had advice for anyone graduating this year, I think I'd have to say don't give up. I've found it hard when I finish one piece of work and I don't know where the next work will be, but it always falls into place (or it has so far).

Could you describe the creative element to your job?

For me, the role is much more organisational than creative. But being creative is definitely a must, especially when problem solving. There's always something to fix or find and limited money to do so. 

What one thing do you wish you had known at the start of your career that you know now? 

How to function as a freelance stage manager. Being freelance is a huge responsibility and there loads of things that I had never thought about before graduating, like managing my own taxes. Also, to not be afraid when there are small gaps between jobs. 

Which organisations/websites/resources do you think would be useful for people entering your industry?

The Stage Management Association is great. They always have different courses that you can attend, along with something called the Freelist. You can put your CV and availability up on there and company's can access it.

Stagejobspro and artsjobs are also great websites for finding work. 

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