A Report on the Specific Factors That Will Have an Impact on the Employment and

Economic Environment on My Career as a Stage Manager

1.1 - Analysis of Current Developments, Market Funding Mechanisms and Methods of

Access for Stage Managers

Current Developments –

There are many new developments within the Arts Industry that can affect me as a Stage
Manager. Firstly, and possibly most predominantly is the advancement in technology,
specifically the Internet. The Internet can now be considered as a new outlet for people
within the industry to show themselves or their work to potential employees, through apps
such as YouTube and Vimeo. The main issue with this development however, is the fact that
anyone can put their work out on these sites, which makes it much harder for potential
employees to filter through them in an attempt to find people with the skill and personality
they are looking for.

The internet has also made new developments in funding, by creating sites such as
Kickstarter, where potential creators can pitch their idea for a game, film or product and the
general public can decided if they wish to make a donation towards it. This can give people
the opportunity to create new things with the backing of their potential audience. I feel this
is an effective way to create content, as due to the fact that the public can put money
towards the creation, gives the impression that whatever has been created will already have
an audience and there is no fear that a project may flop, as the audience is paying for it.
Although, the issue with Kickstarter is that it cannot guarantee quality, as anyone can pitch
an idea, no matter their skill set.

Unfortunately, there has been some negative developments in funding as well, which could
potentially affect me as a Stage Manager. As noted in an article by the Stage newspaper,
“Local authority arts funding ‘cut by more than £56m.’” This can not only effect small-scale
touring companies, but has also affected local theatres, such as the Nottingham Playhouse
which, “lost 100% of its annual £94,500 county council subsidy in 2014.” This cut to Local
Council funding could affect me if I were planning to come back to Gloucester, after
graduating, and create a touring company. This is due to the fact that Gloucestershire
County Council no longer funds the arts. This is a real step back for funding and could lead
to a lack of jobs or potential outlets in the future.

Due to the lack of funding within the arts industry, there has been a large effect on the role
of a Stage Manager and the skills and jobs they are expected to undertake. In another Stage
article, executive director Andy Rowley discusses how the funding cuts are affecting the
amount of staff present backstage. He said, “Looking at crew lists on many small and
medium-scale shows and tours today, we could be forgiven for wondering where the
technical and wardrobe staff have gone.” This presents an issue that as a prospective Stage
Manager I will need to develop new skills that would previously not be expected of me. As
stated in the article, “As funding cuts bite, low budgets are forced to reduce further, and
skills previously the preserve of experts fall to the nearest safe pair of hands – often the
stage manager.”

Other technological developments include the increase in the use of technology in theatre.
Although this could be seen as quite effective from an audience’s perspective, some people
are questioning if theatre is beginning to become too reliant on digital technology. The
Guardian have produced two articles about this development and their opinion that
“modern theatre relies too much on technology.” It seems that they believe theatre has
become more about the digital advancements and less about the performance as a whole. I
feel that this new development in theatre is incredibly interesting, as the use of multi-media
within a theatre performance can really add to the atmosphere and story of the piece, for
example, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.’ However, I do believe that if
directors and designers become reliant on this technology, it will take away the impact that
live theatre has on an audience.

Another development that is changing the way people can view theatre comes in the for of
Live Screening. This is where companies such as the RSC or the National Theatre will stream
their performance into cinema’s. I think this is a brilliant way of giving more people the
opportunity to view theatre without having to pay for travel expenses or the cost of a
theatre ticket. There are many people who will not be able to access the arts due to their
financial situation, so I feel it is a great way of making theatre more universal. It could also
create more jobs, as the theatre company will need to employ someone to film the stream,
but also to ensure that there are no technical issues during the recording.

Children’s Theatre is becoming increasingly popular thanks to new funding developments. It

was clear that theatre specifically for young children hasn’t been a prominent part of the
industry until recently. Children have never really been able to experience theatre other
than pantomime, so I think that it is a really positive thing to be creating performances to
entertain and develop a child’s mind. It also allows parents to have a break from reality, as it
is almost impossible now to do anything without your children, due to the unsafe
environment we now live in. This could affect me as a Stage Manager if I decided to be part
of a small-scale touring company, as we would be able to get a lot of Public and Third Sector
funding if we were to focus on Children’s Theatre.

Finally, there has been a recent development in Private funding over the last few years, with
the creation of the Theatre Tax Relief (TTR). In another article written by the Stage
newspaper, they talk about the positive effect that the TTR has had over the past few years.
It is now easier for theatre companies to make claims without the loss of expenses.
According to the article, “TTR has defined a new landscape for producing live work and has
enabled productions to proceed that otherwise may not have gone ahead or would have
done so on a smaller scale.” I feel this will have a positive effect, not only on the industry,
but for myself as well, as it means that my company will be able to produce work more
easily, without the worry of impending tax costs.

Market Funding Mechanisms –

Funding can be split into three sections; Public, Private and Third Sector or Charity funding.
Each of these types will affect me in different ways, dependant on the type of company I am
in. Public funding, in Theatrical terms, is money from public bodies such as the Arts Council,
who fund specific theatre projects, for example, Theatre in Education. If I were to be a part
of a small-scale touring company, we would need to apply for Public funding in order to
ensure that we could cover the production costs. You can apply for funding on the Arts
Council website, however, you will need a partnership with a company or charity that is
willing to give some funds to your cause, before the Arts Council will agree to help.

An example of how the Arts Council can support a theatre company can be seen through
Vamos Theatre. They have recently been funded to help create a performance about
dementia. On the Arts Council website they detail the reasons why they are supporting the
funding of this project. They said:

“For people living with Dementia, daily life can become increasingly isolated. But we believe
everyone should have the chance to benefit from the enjoyment and happiness art culture
can bring. That’s why we’re supporting Vamos Theatre’s new plans.”

The Arts Council will only fund projects that they feel will benefit people and communities.
They will fund individuals or companies £1,000 to £100,000 depending on the amount they
need and the beneficial aspects of the project. This type of funding will definitely affect me
if I am planning to continue Theatre in Education or small-scale company touring after
graduating.

Private funding in a theatrical form can come from outlets such as; theatre producers,
independent companies, backers, theatre angels and crowd funding. Private funding is
usually mainly accessible to large theatre companies, specifically from a commercial sense.
This is because private funders, who we assume will be making a profit from their
endorsement, will be very precise about what type of theatre they wish to fund. It makes
sense from a profit perspective to endorse musicals or west-end shows, as they are
primarily universal and bring in an excess of money in revenue.

Third Sector funding or Charity funding in theatre links substantially to Public Funding
bodies. These charities are specifically created to provide financial support to people or
projects within the arts. An example of an arts-based charity is the Jerwood Charitable
Foundation. They state that their organisation is “dedicated to imaginative and responsible
project funding of the arts, with a particular focus on supporting emerging talent and
excellence.” This could affect me in my career, as if I were to become part of a small-scale
TIE company, we could potentially use the Jerwood Charity in partnership with the Arts
Council funding, to ensure that we receive enough funds to cover potential projects.

Methods of Access –

There are a few specific methods of access to my chosen art form of Stage Management
that I could use in order to achieve my goal. Firstly, I could continue into a higher education
course that specialises in my chosen field. This would be especially beneficial if it were at an
institution for drama and the performing arts, as I would have a greater chance of
networking and becoming employed as soon as I have graduated from my course. This will
be the chosen method of access for me, as I feel that I would like to develop my knowledge
and skills within the field, in order to be a more competent Stage Manager after graduating.
Allowing me to widen my employment opportunities and potentially be able to begin my
career at prestigious companies, such as the RSC.

Alternatively, there are other methods I could use to access Stage Management
opportunities, such as an apprenticeship. Although these are really hard to come by,
especially in more well-established companies, this would be a great opportunity for me to
develop my skills through work, while getting paid for the job I am pursuing. I could also
research into creating my own small-scale company, using this method as a starting point to
allow me to gain more experience, before expanding my career in the future. I would need
to look into the types of funding that may apply to my company (as listed in the previous
section of this report) and see the potential for me starting my own company in the future.

A final method of access could be through the National Youth Theatre’s Backstage program.
This is a three-week summer course that specialises in developing skills in the different roles
within backstage work. The website states, “weather you are interested in lighting, sound,
scenic construction, stage management or costume, there could be a role for you.” This
could be a useful tool for me to develop my skills in my chosen field, as well as begin
networking with industry professionals with the potential to gain work or experience after
the program has finished. The program states that “the courses cater for all levels of
experience.” Which may be a potential issue, as I have more experience than someone who
is just entering the field of Stage Management. However, depending on your ability will
depend on what skills you learn or develop on the course, so there is potential for the
course to still benefit me, even with my prior knowledge and experience.

1.2 - Evaluation of Change in Practice and Audience Demands in Stage Management

Audience Demands –

It is clear that the economy may have an effect on what type of performances an audience
wants to see. During hardships or recessions, the idea of escapism is more prominent, so
musicals would be exceedingly popular during this time. Whereas, if the country is
experiencing an economic boom, the range of performance work becomes more diverse, as
audiences tend to experiment with new and different performance styles. However, this
cannot always be considered the case and it is just an observation of trends.

At present, it is clear that there is a wide array of performance styles that seem to be
grasping the audience’s attention. Looking at the featured section of the ‘WhatsOnStage’
website, there are the usual audience favourites, such as musicals and Shakespeare
adaptations. However, there are also a variety of other, more unconventional shows, such
as ‘Dust,’ which, according to the website is about “A woman. A suicide. A choice. A lie. A
truth. An ending. Of sorts.” This is not the type of play that you would usually expect to be
so popular at present, but it is clear that audience interests are evolving, as new and more
experimental material is created.

It may be beneficial for me to sway to stage management in Musical Theatre or Commercial

Theatre, as these are the types of theatre that will never go out of fashion from an
audience’s perspective. However, I feel it may be interesting for me to experience more
alternative performance styles, to challenge myself as a Stage Manager. The type of theatre
style I go into will depend on the audience demands in three years’ time, after I have
graduated from drama school.

3.1 - Assess the range of Employment Opportunities in Stage Management

There are a wide range of employment opportunities that I could acquire using my skills in
Stage Management. Obviously, I would be able to go into the field of Stage Management,
but I may also be able to get a job in Events Management, Production Management, Film
Production and potentially by creating internet materiel, e.g. through YouTube.

I can find these employment opportunities by looking at places like the Stage, either online
or in the newspaper, to find potential job offers. There are also employment opportunities
on Equity, however, you have to be an Equity member to view them. This puts me at a
disadvantage as in order to get an Equity card, you need to either receive one at the end of
a course at drama school or have proof of at least two professionally paid jobs. It also costs
money to apply for Equity, which could be a potential issue if I was still unemployed and
trying to apply for more job opportunities.

I could also create my own opportunities by networking while I am at drama school, to

create connections with potential employers and to get my name out there in the industry.
Helping me to open myself to more job opportunities in the future.

3.2 - Evaluation of Marketing Strategies for Stage Managers

As a Stage Manager the most effective and important way for me to market myself is by
Networking within the industry. This will allow me to create connections with employers or
fellow employees that could help push me forward into a job role. However, it is important
that I build myself an accredited portfolio and CV, ensuring that potential employers can not
only see the work I am capably of, but will be able to talk to other connections and get a
good understanding of my capabilities and strengths within this field. I could also potentially
apply for work experience opportunities, or volunteer for Stage management work, to get
my name out there while I am still studying and to prepare myself for future job
opportunities after graduation.

Looking into what other people consider important marketing strategies, I found an article
on the Stage, called “Ali Wade: Five tips for starting out in stage management.” In this
article she states that it would be beneficial to “always have a current CV ready to be sent
out on request, but also consider how you might tailor it for each position you’re interested
in.” She also advises that you keep a current online profile on sites such as LinkedIn. It is
clearly a good strategy for me to maintain an online presence both during my course and
afterwards, to help create potential employment opportunities.

I have decided that my ultimate goal is to work at the RSC, so in order to do this, it would be
beneficial for me to start networking and applying for work experience opportunities now.
This will allow me to develop my skills and maintain a working relationship with the
company, so that when I graduate from drama school I have more of an advantage when
applying for a job there than other who have not taken these steps.

3.3 - Explanation of the Support Offered by Creative Industries, Trade Bodies and Unions for
Stage Management in Supporting Employment

The most notable trade bodies/ unions for people within the field of Stage Management are
Equity and BECTU. The main aim of these unions is to create fair and legal opportunities for
Stage Managers within the industry. They are responsible for ensuring their members are
treated correctly, have access to industry standard working conditions, can be paid no less
than the required minimum wage set by the specific union and have legal representation if
they have been misused or mistreated while at work. Equity especially also offer model legal
contracts, cheaper rates of insurance and career development advice.

It would be incredibly beneficial for me to become part of a union once I have graduated
from my course, to ensure that I am being treated fairly and paid the correct wage for the
amount of work I am doing. It may also help me to seek potential job opportunities, as
Equity offer a range of current job roles, that can only be accessed once you have become a
member.

Reference List

https://www.stagemanagementassociation.co.uk/sites/stagemanagementassociation.co.uk
/files/Update%20SMA%20Career%20Guide%202014.pdf
https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2016/local-authority-arts-funding-cut-by-more-than-
56m/
https://www.thestage.co.uk/features/2016/why-stage-managers-need-to-draw-the-line/
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2008/apr/17/theatretechnology
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2013/aug/19/digital-technology-help-
theatre
https://www.thestage.co.uk/features/2016/two-years-on-how-is-theatre-tax-relief-
working/
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/supporting-arts-museums-and-libraries
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/sharing-joy-people-living-dementia
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/grants-arts-0
https://www.jerwoodcharitablefoundation.org/how-we-work/
http://www.nyt.org.uk/courses/backstage
https://www.whatsonstage.com
https://www.equity.org.uk/looking-for-work/
https://www.thestage.co.uk/
https://www.thestage.co.uk/advice/2016/ali-wade-five-tips-for-starting-out-in-stage-
management/
https://www.equity.org.uk
http://www.bectu.co.uk