Stage Manager CV example

Running a show takes control and a sharp eye for detail – and so does writing a good CV. This guide will help you with writing a CV that captures your command of the rehearsal room and your ability to lead backstage teams.

You’ll learn how to present your CV the right way, and present your work in a way that speaks directly to creative teams.

Behind the curtain, nothing is left to chance – and your CV should reflect that. From props to people, you coordinate the chaos. A structured, effectively laid-out CV shows recruiters you’re just as meticulous on paper as you are backstage. Recruiters will appreciate a readable CV free from errors, so don’t frustrate them with an unnavigable mess.

Here’s the structure you should follow:

• Name and contact details – Start with your name and personal info – make it simple for recruiters to reach you. Including a photo is a personal choice.
• Profile – Use this section to summarise your experience, strengths, and what makes you a standout candidate.
• Core skills – Outline your primary competencies to give recruiters a snapshot of your strengths.
• Work experience – Walk through your professional experience, beginning with your latest position and moving backwards.
• Education – Outline your education and certifications, focusing on those most relevant to the role.
• Additional info – This section is optional, but it’s a good place for hobbies and interests that complement your CV.
  

Use bullet points when detailing each section of your CV, while making sure to stick to a clean font. Clear, bold section headings should be used to break up the format to ensure readability. Limit the CV length to two pages, which provides plenty of room to discuss your key qualities without boring the busy recruiter.

Your CV profile is the first cue the reader gets – a quick overview of your backstage credentials and the kind of productions you specialise in. It’s more than just listing shows; it’s about showing the value you bring to a creative team and how you keep things running in high-pressure environments.

Since this is the first thing recruiters are going to see, you need to give a real sense of how you lead and how you support crews and casts alike. Demonstrate the value you’ll bring to any production.

Make sure to cover the following:

• Where you worked – Outline the kinds of productions or organisations you’ve supported to give a sense of the environments and performance scales you’re experienced in.
• Your top qualifications – Mention your most relevant formal training or education to demonstrate your technical grounding and professional preparation.
• Essential skills – Summarise the practical backstage skills you bring, particularly those that show your ability to manage live performance environments with precision and control.
• Production types – Specify the general nature of the shows you’ve worked on so recruiters can understand the creative contexts you’re familiar with.
• Value delivered – Briefly explain the difference your stage management made – whether in terms of organisation, timing, safety, or team coordination.

This section should reflect your real-world backstage skills – not just general strengths, but the actual systems, tools, and techniques you’ve mastered.

Stage Managers need technical ability and interpersonal precision. You should also mention your skills in ensuring health and safety compliance and or coordinating with departments. This section should reflect the job description closely – if they’re after cue-calling experience with QLab or experience with large ensemble casts, this is the place to prove you’ve got it.

This is the main stage of your CV. Your past productions and theatre roles show the breadth of your experience and the level at which you’ve worked. Be clear and results-focused – name the shows, the venues, the teams you managed, and the challenges you handled.

List your work experience in reverse chronological order. Start with a short summary of the show or company, followed by bullet points outlining your responsibilities and achievements. 

Mention if you managed rehearsal scheduling, coordinated technical elements, oversaw get-ins and get-outs, or resolved emergencies mid-show: these are all things which hiring managers want from their recruits.

• Outline – Summarise the type of production, scale of the company or tour, and who you reported to (e.g. director, producer, or production manager).
• Responsibilities – Use action words like “coordinated” and “called.” For example: “coordinated rehearsals for a 30-person cast” or “called lighting and sound cues during 8-week run at regional theatre.” Mention production types, safety responsibilities, and tech processes.
• Achievements – Show your impact: smooth show runs, accident-free performances, improved rehearsal processes, or managing complex cue sequences under pressure.

While theatre is often about experience, formal training still carries weight – especially for larger venues or union-affiliated productions. Education also shows that you’ve had structured learning in production processes and health & safety.

List your degree, diploma, or training chronologically, starting with the most recent. That could include a BA in Stage Management, an HND in Technical Theatre, or short courses which prove your abilities.