Company Manager
What does a Company Manager do?
What does a Company Manager do?
A COMPANY MANAGER, usually abbreviated as CM, works closely with all staff. They are typically hired by the GENERAL MANAGER and could be brought on for a specific show or salaried for a theatre organization. They are the ones who take care of the logistical needs of a production or company, such as managing and delivering payroll to the cast and crew, being the policy enforcer, and serving as the primary point of contact between the company (which includes the cast, creative, and administrative teams) and the GENERAL MANAGER. A COMPANY MANAGER also serves the function of hospitality and travel coordinator, particularly for touring companies. Additionally they interact personally with each of the company members on a daily basis to ensure any day to day needs are being addressed.
Skills
Detail-Oriented | Ability to work well under pressure | Ability to be flexible and deal with all types of people | Understanding of Accounting and Finances | Multi-tasking | Knowledge of local and federal labor laws | Strong written and verbal communication skills | Thoroughness
Pathways
Degree in arts administration and/or business | Assistant to the Company Manager or General Manager | Production Management | House Management | Stage Management
How to become a Company Manager
How to become a Company Manager
As it is rare to find a college with a Company Management program, most company managers working on Broadway go through extensive theatre training, sometimes with an academic background in business administration. While most positions require a Bachelor’s degree, many companies prefer candidates with backstage or administrative theatre experience. CM’s are trained through practice, shadowing, mentoring, apprenticing, or assisting/being an associate to another Company Manager.
Union/Professional Organization Affiliations
Resources
- Playbill’s “Inside the Broadway Community Project: How Company Manager Susan Sampliner Keeps Wicked Positively Emerald“
- Playbill’s “Who Helps Run a Show Night After Night?”
- Berklee School of Music’s Career Communities “Company Manager (Theater)”
- wit journal’s Interview “Company Managers: Women at Work by Dara O’Brien”
- Playhouse Square’s “Behind the Scenes of Come From Away”
- CNBC’s Working 11-hour days backstage on Broadway: ‘You have to be a little bit crazy’ but ‘I love it’
CTG’s ”Working in Theatre: Company Manager”
ASU Gammage’s “The Broadway League ATPAM Diversity Internship Program”
BwayZone’s “Working on Broadway: Company Manager”
"Behind the Curtain" Kendra Moore, Company Manager for The Lion King