I recently had a colleague ask me how I got started in stage management, and it took me a moment to find the words. For me, it was a natural progression; I was deeply involved in the arts from a young age. I played instruments, enjoyed art class, and was even obsessed with the movie version of The Phantom of the Opera when I was around eight. No joke—my siblings actually hid the DVD because they were tired of my constant rewatches.

When middle school came around, I decided to audition for the school play and ended up performing in productions during both seventh and eighth grades.

In high school, my school announced it would be producing The Phantom of the Opera for the spring musical. I was ecstatic! I auditioned but, unfortunately, was so nervous that I blew it and didn’t get cast. However, given my love for the show, I figured I’d try my hand at stage crew—I just wanted to be part of the process, no matter what.

I quickly realized I enjoyed being backstage far more than being onstage. Being part of the crew allowed me to support both the show and my friends in the cast. From that point forward, I took on several roles: backstage scenic run crew, building props and scenery, and even a brief stint in sound. I was eager to learn more and tackle new challenges. I became friends with my high school stage manager, who showed me how she organized everything backstage and communicated with the team. I thought, “This is perfect for me.” I realized I could still be an artist while utilizing my leadership and organizational skills along with my keen eye for detail in this position.

My high school, like many, didn’t have a dedicated stage management program. In fact, the stage manager I learned from mostly took on the duties of an assistant stage manager. There were no daily calls or rehearsal reports, and she didn’t call cues. That’s not a detriment to her; she supported the productions and was loved by many.

By my senior year, it was my turn to lead as the stage manager. I researched as much as I could to understand the duties of a professional stage manager and began to put that knowledge into practice. For the first time in recent years, the stage manager called the show from the booth. I had no idea what I was doing and was basically making it up as I went along. However, I loved it! Supporting others in creating a final production that combined various art forms was incredibly fulfilling. Once I stepped into the role of stage manager, I knew it was for me. There was no looking back.

I went on to earn my BFA in Theatre Design & Technology, focusing on stage management and costume construction. My thirst for knowledge has never waned, and I still seek out opportunities to learn with each production I am a part of. Now, in my current roles, I consider it a blessing to teach high school and college students about stage management.

I’m creating this series, 5 til Places, to share my thoughts, experiences, and lessons in stage management. These articles are for all the young stage managers seeking guidance. My goal is to make information about this profession more accessible. Check back monthly for more, and feel free to reach out in the meantime. Now go ahead and get to your places!

5 til Places

How I Found Stage Management

Hannah Hahn