Being a stage manager is not easy work! Their job is to make us performers feel comfortable while dealing with a million things backstage, in the house, and on the stage.

Storytime: The stage manager baton was handed off to me in January. I had never stage managed before, and had only memories of stage managers I had the pleasure of working with in past productions. I knew certain things were required: incredible organization, nerves of steel, timeliness, and an ability to do a million things at once. Needless to say, I had BIG shoes to fill. The performers and crew I was working with were professional, kind, and wonderful. I learned a great deal of skills, and also realized how much these miraculous stage managers do for us!

Here's an appreciation post for all the stage managers out there.

1. Your organizational skills are off the charts.

Behold the glorious binder. It's your life for the next few weeks, and you've poured your heart and soul into it, damnit!

2. You know how to be EXTREMELY calm during stressful situations

You keep a calm face dispite the fact you are getting pulled from every direction, have only a limited amount of time to get everything done, and have to keep track of everything. You go!

3. You get pretty good at drawing sets.

Whether you draw for fun or haven't tried since grade school...you start to look pro when drawing a set.

4. You look super cool wearing a headset.

It's the technology you didn't realize you were missing!

5. You're prepared for anything.

You're like Mary Poppins with your bag of tricks. You have props ready, extra supplies, and probably some snacks in that bag of yours.

6. You're secretly a Timelord...

You schedule rehearsals and keep track of time. Just make sure to park your Tardis away from the backstage door!

We appreciate you, stage managers and assistant stage managers!  Thank you for everything you do.