Production Manager

The Production Manager (PM) generally is responsible for monitoring budgets, scheduling work, and coordinating the various production departments to make sure all deadlines are met. However, the single most important responsibility is the development of a highly motivated and collaborative production team, which includes all those in charge of the various areas of the production--director, set designer, lighting designer, costume designer, musical director,  choreographer, technical director, stage manager, etc. The PM is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the production are completed within budget according to the designer's and director's wishes, and in time for the first public performance. He or she oversees the cost effectiveness and planning of the entire production process.

Responsibilities include all of the following:

• Budgeting: help designers budget for their area as needed, and make sure all budgets are completed in ETP’s production folder

• Work with the production team, including the stage manager, ASM, and production assistants, and assist with onboarding same as needed

• Work with the director and/or producer(s) to set workable deadlines for design and build teams

• Access ETP’s storage spaces and help facilitate designers with their needs

• Lead production meetings

• Assist with scheduling rehearsals with Stage Manager, as needed

• Assist with the procurement of rehearsal venue(s) and assist the stage management team with scheduling same as needed

• Monitor progress of all design and stage teams during the build to meet deadlines

• Ensure all build reports (punch lists) are completed each day, and resetting goals as needed

• Work with the Tech Director to estimate build times and dates, and schedule builders, including scenic painters

• Ensure all special effects, complicated props, and difficult costume changes required by the Director or design teams are tested and/or practiced well in advance of technical rehearsals or dress rehearsals

• Assist the stage manager with pre-tech preparation, as needed

• Assure copies of all receipts are saved to the ETP Google drive and send all expenses to the ETP treasurer or show producer

• Assist the technical director with truck or van rentals to transport set pieces, furniture, props, costumes, and backstage tech, as needed

• Plan load in and load out schedules and strike plan with technical director

• Monitor budgets and check in frequently with set building team to ensure they are meeting their goals

• Perform daily accounting of the show's expenses and revenues as they are incurred, including hard expenses and hourly staffing costs

At some but not all ETP productions, the production manager may decide on the recapitalization of the project--that is, if an area will not need as much of their budget as another area, the PM will assist with re-allocating budgets so as to keep each department under or at their respective budget levels.

The PM position may have a budgeted hourly cap. In the event of a cap, the estimation of hours should be anticipated as such:

Design phase...........................................5%

Early rehearsal phase/procurement..30%

Build..........................................................40%

Tech...........................................................10%

Post-opening............................................5%

Strike.........................................................10%

Total hours............................................100%

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• strong management and leadership skills

• a strong attention to detail

• excellent communication

• sharp organizational skills

• knowledge of budgeting, health and safety

• knowledge of technical elements of a show

• robust problem-solving abilities

• a calm demeanor under pressure

• the capacity to manage various personalities and teams to meet production deadlines

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in theater production or associated field

• 1-2 years of practical experience as a production manager