Production Manager
What does a Production Manager do?
What does a Production Manager do?
The PRODUCTION MANAGER, sometimes called the PM, is in charge of everyone who is a part of the production team – costumes, sets, lighting, sound, props, etc. They tend to serve as the bridge between the administrative/artistic teams and the production staff. Duties and even job titles can vary depending on the show, organization, or company. PMs traditionally deal with scheduling rentals, buildings, load-ins and load-outs, and supervising theatre use and the physical execution and implementation of the directors and designers’ visions. They also oversee the production budget.
Skills
Leadership | Organization | Knowledge of Technical Equipment and Troubleshooting | Engineering | Budgeting | Multi-tasking | Calm under extreme time pressure | Knowledge of Emergency Procedures
Pathways
Stage Management | Stagehand | Technician | Assistant to the TD, PM, or SM | Experience in a variety of production departments | Degree in production and/or theatre management
How to become a Production Manager
How to become a Production Manager
Like the TD, production managers have a foundation in the various aspects of technical theatre. As there are concentrations for theatre management and for technical theatre, hopeful PMs would benefit from taking courses involving both worlds. Production Managers can also learn the trade by assisting, working with, and volunteering for Production Managers or on crews.
Union/Professional Organization Affiliations
- In the UK – Production Managers Forum (PMF)
Resources
- Educational Theatre Association’s “The production manager”
- UK’s Creative & Cultural Skills’ “Theatre production manager”
careergirls’ “Theater Production Manager: Difference Between Production Manager and Stage Manager – Linda Cooper”
American Theatre Wing’s “Production Manager”