Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Theatre Production Manager

🎯 Role Definition

The Theatre Production Manager is the master planner, problem-solver, and leader at the heart of all production activity. This individual acts as the crucial liaison between the artistic team (directors, designers) and the production staff (technical directors, artisans, crew), translating creative concepts into tangible reality. You will be responsible for the entire production lifecycle, managing budgets, schedules, personnel, and resources to ensure the seamless and safe execution of our theatrical season. This is a dynamic role for a leader who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and possesses a deep passion for bringing compelling stories to the stage.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Lead Stage Manager or Stage Management Supervisor
Technical Director or Assistant Technical Director
Assistant/Associate Production Manager

Advancement To:

Director of Production for a larger institution
General Manager or Managing Director
Producer or Executive Producer

Lateral Moves:

Event Production Manager (Corporate or Live Events)
Tour Manager or Touring Production Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, manage, and meticulously track all production budgets, from initial estimations in the season planning phase to final reconciliation, providing regular, transparent financial reports to senior leadership.
Create and maintain the master production calendar for the entire season, establishing critical deadlines, milestones, and workflows for multiple, often overlapping, productions.
Spearhead the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and direct supervision of all production department heads, staff, and over-hire personnel, including technicians, artisans, and run crews.
Act as the primary communication hub for all production-related information, ensuring a consistent and clear flow of information between artistic teams, administrative departments, and technical crews.
Lead all production meetings, design presentations, and post-mortem reviews, fostering a collaborative environment, setting clear agendas, and guiding teams toward decisive action.
Negotiate contracts and terms with guest designers, directors, vendors, and freelance production staff in collaboration with the General Manager, ensuring compliance with union agreements and theatre policies.
Oversee the bidding, sourcing, and procurement of all materials, equipment, and scenic/costume fabrication from external vendors, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness.
Champion and rigorously enforce all health and safety protocols across all workspaces and performance venues, ensuring full compliance with OSHA, AEA, IATSE, and other relevant standards.
Collaborate intimately with the Artistic Director and guest creative teams to assess the feasibility of artistic concepts, offering creative solutions to achieve ambitious visions within practical constraints.
Provide direct oversight for the entire production process including load-in, technical rehearsals, performance runs, and strike, offering hands-on leadership and immediate problem-solving.
Review and provide critical feedback on all design and technical drawings (scenic, lighting, sound, etc.) to ensure safety, budget adherence, and alignment with the theatre's capabilities.
Manage the physical assets and infrastructure of the production departments, including the maintenance, inventory, and long-term capital replacement planning for theatrical equipment.
Serve as the key logistical coordinator for all production needs, including scheduling shop time, arranging transportation of production elements, and coordinating inter-departmental resource sharing.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful work environment that prioritizes safety, encourages creativity, and supports the professional growth of all production team members.

Secondary Functions

Actively participate in season planning meetings, providing essential analysis on the production requirements, budget implications, and scheduling feasibility of proposed shows.
Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with a diverse network of industry vendors, designers, technicians, and partner organizations.
Develop and refine departmental policies, handbooks, and best-practice procedures to continually improve workflow efficiency, communication, and production quality.
Serve as a key liaison to other departments (Marketing, Development, Education), ensuring their production-related needs (e.g., photo calls, archival recordings, special events) are met.
Maintain a current understanding of new and emerging technologies, materials, and production techniques to drive innovation and efficiency.
Prepare comprehensive post-production analyses and reports to identify successes, challenges, and key learnings to inform future planning and decision-making.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced Financial Acumen: Expertise in creating, managing, and reporting on complex, multi-show production budgets.
Project Management Mastery: Proficiency using project management software (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Smartsheet) to manage complex timelines and resources.
Technical Theatre Expertise: Deep and broad knowledge of all theatrical production areas, including scenic construction, lighting systems, audio engineering, video, costumes, and rigging.
CAD Proficiency: The ability to read and interpret technical drawings created in Vectorworks or AutoCAD is essential.
Contract Negotiation & Administration: Proven experience drafting, negotiating, and executing contracts with artists, vendors, and unions.
Union Agreement Knowledge: Thorough working knowledge of agreements with major theatrical unions such as AEA, SDC, USA, and IATSE.
Safety & Compliance: Comprehensive understanding and practical application of OSHA regulations and general workplace safety standards for the entertainment industry.

Soft Skills

Empathetic Leadership: Ability to lead, motivate, and manage diverse teams of creative and technical professionals with a calm, confident, and respectful demeanor.
Grace Under Pressure: Exceptional problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, with a proven ability to make sound decisions in high-stakes, time-sensitive situations.
Superior Communication: Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to act as a diplomat and translator between different departments and personalities.
Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: The ability to navigate difficult conversations, find common ground, and resolve conflicts effectively and diplomatically.
Exceptional Organization: World-class time management and organizational skills, with an ability to manage multiple competing priorities without sacrificing attention to detail.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience. A proven track record of success is valued as highly as a degree.

Preferred Education:

MFA in Theatre Production Management, Technical Direction, or Arts Administration.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Theatre Arts
Technical Direction & Production

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-7+ years of progressively responsible experience in a professional theatre production environment, with at least 2-3 years in a management or supervisory role (e.g., Assistant PM, Technical Director, Head of Department).

Preferred:

Experience working within a LORT (League of Resident Theatres) or similar professional theatre structure.
Demonstrated experience managing a multi-show season with overlapping production schedules.
Experience managing new work development processes and/or world premiere productions.