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Production/Stage Management -
What It’s About
What may not be obvious to the casual theatre-goer is the significant number of professionals it takes, beyond the actors, playwright and director, to realize a production on stage. Students in the Master of Arts (MA) in Theatre, Production/Stage Management Concentration develop skills in multiple backstage-management areas of theatre. Whether you dream of running rehearsals and calling shows or managing the efficient operation of production shops and offices, the Production/Stage Management program prepares students for a broad range of careers in commercial-, non-profit and educational-theatre settings.
Located on a campus just 14 miles west of Manhattan, our program attracts an outstanding faculty and prominent guest artists to work with our students every semester. Likewise, the 30-minute train ride to New York connects students with Broadway productions, internship opportunities and all that attracts artists from all over the world. The opportunity for full- or part-time study and the choice of night, weekend and hybrid/online courses make it possible to complete the 33 credits at a customized pace.
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What You Will Study
Production/stage management majors follow a core curriculum of theatrical production, stage and production management, as well as essential academic foundations. To augment their classroom work, students participate in applied experiences, including oversight of a production from concept to closing.
Coursework and hands-on application reinforce skills to manage the myriad aspects of production---including rehearsal scheduling, budgeting, box office, union contracts/negotiations, and staff management. Students also have choice of technical-skill electives in scenic design, stage lighting, theatre technology, and costume design.
Internship opportunities in professional theatres round out the curriculum to ensure readiness for the professional arena.
Curriculum Links –
Curriculum requirements for the Production/Stage Management Concentration and other programs in the Department of Theatre and Dance may be found through the links below:
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An Outstanding Faculty
Production/Stage Management students work with faculty and guest artists who are prominent scholars, world-class performers, directors, designers, technicians and producers. Collectively, they bring exceptional expertise and lay the groundwork for professional networking.
Faculty Links –
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Exceptional Facilities
Production/Stage Management majors work with outstanding performance facilities,including the state-of-the-art 500-seat Alexander Kasser Theater, 946-seat Memorial Auditorium, 2,000-seat Amphitheater, intimate L. Howard Fox Theatre and the MSU Dance Theatre used primarily for dance.
Technical comparisons of performance facilities
In addition to its performance spaces, the Department of Theatre and Dance houses a fully equipped scene shop dedicated to classroom teaching and building productions. The costume shop, which provides a view of the Manhattan skyline from the top floor of Life Hall, serves both as a classroom and production facility for building hundreds of theatre and dance costumes annually.
The diversity of our facilities–both back-stage and front-of-house–reflects the breadth of the industry, thus fostering students’ preparation to manage and produce for a broad range of venues.
Cultural Programming
When not in the classroom or working in the shop, Production/Stage Management students are encouraged to attend the diversity of productions available to them. While Broadway is only 14 miles away, students also have access to more than 500 professional and academic performances right on campus – presented annually by the Department and through Peak Performances, Montclair’s widely acclaimed program of eclectic theatre, dance and music productions. Just down the corridor, the award-winning George Segal Gallery features its own vibrant season of contemporary work for students to experience the visual arts.
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Accreditation
Montclair’s MA in Theatre programs are widely recognized and meet the rigorous standards of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), thus placing it among the most-competitive programs in the region.
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Careers in Production/Stage Management
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How to Apply
For information on applying to the MA in Theatre programs, see the Department Admissions page.
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For Further Information
Contact –
MA Theatre Programs Coordinator:
Dr. Jane Peterson
petersonj@mail.montclair.edu
Graduate School Resources –
To learn more about programs and academic-support services for all university master’s-seeking candidates, follow the link to the Graduate School:
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