Stage Management

Stage Management student stands backstage consulting a video screeen and music score

The CCM's Stage Management program offers a four-year BFA program (120 credits) and a two- or three-year MFA program (75 credits).

Within CCM's Department of Theatre Design and Production (TD&P), students will receive a broad education in the various areas of technical theatre including stagecraft, scenic, lighting, sound, costume and wig & make-up design. To enhance the artistic side of stage management, students are also encouraged to take introductory classes in directing, script analysis, arts administration and aesthetics. There are opportunities to stage manage (or assistant stage manage) four to six productions over the course of the degree program.

In addition to production assignments, students will also take classes in stage management. The first is the Assistant Stage Management course. This is a nuts and bolts class about being a stage manager and, more specifically, how to be an assistant stage manager, with a focus on paperwork and organization. The second course is called Stage Management Foundations. This is a more intensive course focusing on the role, expectations, and duties of a lead stage manager.

Next is the Stage Management Styles course, which is where advanced stage management students dive into relevant topics in management such as communication, problem solving and conflict management. In addition to these theory courses, stage managers get extensive practice stage managing four to six productions (dance, plays, opera and/or musicals) and receive credit via Production Practicum.

All lead stage managers meet weekly to discuss their productions in a forum-like setting. At this time, students are encouraged to bring specific problems and achievements to the table for discussion with their fellow stage mangers. In addition to the weekly meeting of lead stage managers, both SMs and ASMs do a presentation on their production updating their fellow stage managers on the progress of their show just prior to moving into technical rehearsals. Students are encouraged to question the reporting team to develop a problem-solving dialogue.

In addition to formal theatre classes, BFA stage managers are encouraged to take business management classes, psychology classes, stress management classes and any other relevant courses agreed upon by the student and the department in the form of free electives that will enhance their growth as a stage manager. MFA students are encouraged to pursue studies with the Preparing Future Faculty program to ready themselves for a future teaching stage management at the collegiate level.

Unique to the stage management program at CCM is the opportunity to stage manage not only plays and musicals but also operas and dance productions. CCM's Division of Theatre Arts, Production and Arts Administration (TAPAA) produces six mainstage productions (two musicals, two plays and two operas) and approximately eight studio or workshop productions per year. CCM stage managers graduate with a diverse resume that will give them a competitive edge over other stage managers starting out in the workforce.

Faculty

Headshot of Wendy J Dorn

Wendy J Dorn

Instructor - Adjunct

513-556-5803

Headshot of Michele A. Kay

Michele A. Kay

Associate Professor of Stage Management

513-556-9440


Theatre Arts, Production and Arts Administration Division Head and Staff

Headshot of Rebecca Bromels

Rebecca Bromels

Division Head of Theatre Arts, Production and Arts Administration (TAPAA); Chair and Associate Professor of Arts Administration

513-556-5803

Headshot of Jen Lampson

Jen Lampson

TAPAA Production Manager

513-556-9439

Headshot of Deborah Neiheisel-DeZarn

Deborah Neiheisel-DeZarn

TAPAA Program Manager

513-556-5803

CCM's admissions process begins on August 1 (undergraduate) and September 1 (graduate) for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 1 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.

Theatre Design and Production - BFA

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admission and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Current resume
  • 500-word applicant statement
    • Use the 500-word statement to express: how you came to your area of theater design and production, what you expect to gain out of the CCM experience, and what direction you intend to go upon graduation. What are your personal and professional goals and how does CCM get you closer to those goals?
  • Upload contact information for three references
  • Portfolio (include theatre, artistic, and/or craft work)
  • Theatre Design and Production questionnaire

Interview

Interview Requirements
  • Application materials, along with experiences, achievements and long-range goals will be discussed at the applicant’s interview. All applicants will interview with faculty from the Theatre Design and Production department.

Additional Information

  • Candidates should only apply to one major within Theatre Design and Production unless you are seriously considering two areas.

Theatre Design and Production - MFA

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before May 3 in order to be invited for an interview and considered for admissions..

If you’ve participated in U/RTA you must submit the required materials (listed below) to Acceptd in order to be considered for admissions into CCM. 

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Current resume
  • 500-word applicant statement
    • Use the 500-word statement to express: how you came to your area of theater design and production, what you expect to gain out of the CCM experience, and what direction you intend to go upon graduation. What are your personal and professional goals and how does CCM get you closer to those goals?
  • Portfolio (include theatre, artistic, and/or craft work)

Interview

Interview Requirements
  • MFA Interviews should be coordinated and scheduled directly through the appropriate faculty. Visit the Theatre Design and Production website for the faculty directory.
  • Application materials, along with experiences, achievements and long-range goals will be discussed at the applicant’s interview. All applicants will interview with faculty from the Theatre Design and Production department.

News and Events

1

WATCH: Mini documentary explores how CCM students bring a...

March 12, 2024

In a new short film created by CCM's Production Master Class, viewers can peek backstage to see how the September 2023 production of the musical rom-com Sweet Charity was designed and run by a team of students from throughout the college's Theatre Design and Production Department. Current CCM students Kali Ashurst, Baron Leon, Clara Cavins and Claire Bonnette, along with alumni guest artist Joshua E. Gallagher, discuss how they put their education into action while creating this acclaimed production.

2

New CCM apparel available for purchase online

February 14, 2024

Show your school spirit this spring with official CCM apparel! New UC College-Conservatory of Music apparel is available for purchase online. CCM's Spring 2024 t-shirt and hoodie designs can be ordered online now through March 18, 2024.

3

WATCH: CCM Opera Series presents 'The Cunning Little Vixen'

Event: February 29, 2024 8:00 PM

UC College-Conservatory of Music presents Leos Janáček’s beloved anthropomorphic opera "The Cunning Little Vixen" Feb. 29-March 2 in Corbett Auditorium. Sung in the original Czech, the opera follows a clever fox (or “vixen”), and the Forester, a human who captured her as a cub. Weaving between the human and animal world, the opera blends comedy and tragedy, exploring the cyclical nature of life and death.

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