Theatre manager

As a theatre manager, your passion for performing arts will drive you to oversee the smooth running of shows a venue puts on. Tasks can range from coordinating the programme calendar and attracting donations to increasing the theatre's visibility in the community, as well as managing budgets.

Your responsibilities may depend on the size of the venue. In smaller theatres, you may be managing all aspects of the operation, whereas larger venues may have you focus on one area, such as finance or marketing.

You'll typically manage staff from the box office to backstage, and will be involved in recruitment and training. Customer care is also a crucial part of the role, in which you'll make sure the public gets the most out of their experience. Office administration, financial management, and advertising are also important functions of the job.

What does a theatre manager do?

As a theatre manager, you'll need to:

• develop, implement, and review the theatre's overall business plan, including managing budgets and operational targets
• plan and book a theatre programme by considering audience appeal, balance of different production types, success of productions, and new work by reputable companies
• be involved in the commissioning of new pieces of work, which will involve monitoring and evaluating the delivery of programmes
• lead a team of theatre staff, who may be involved in areas such as marketing, finance, and administration, while overseeing training and development
• liaise closely with the theatre's board of directors
• ensure the theatre meets the requirements of legislation, such as health and safety, licensing laws (theatre managers may act as licensees), and safeguarding children
• attend marketing meetings and undertake activities, including resource planning, for upcoming productions to enhance the theatre's visibility and encourage the venue's role in providing a cultural hub
• negotiate with any charities, businesses, individual sponsorships, and funding bodies that provide financial backing
• develop partnerships and links with local industry and communities, educational organisations, relevant bodies, and the public, whilst encouraging engagement in the arts
• keep in touch with other theatre managers and producers to stay current with developments and new productions.

How much does a theatre manager earn?

• Salaries for theatre managers in the UK vary, depending on the size and location of the venue, but can be £23,000 to £24,000 when first starting out.
• With experience, it's possible to progress to salaries between £30,000 and £40,000, with an average of around £36,000.
• For senior theatre managers, salaries can be as high as £50,000 and, in some instances, in excess of £60,000.

Salaries at the top end of the scale tend to be for managers in larger theatres or working on commercial productions where you'll have responsibility for many functions. Community and profit-share theatres tend to pay less.

There are no set pay scales for the role. You may start by working in the front of house at a small venue or arts centre. From here, you'll progress to larger venues that usually pay better. A good reputation in the theatre world may mean you can negotiate your own salary.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a theatre manager work?

Due to opening times, working hours for theatre managers can be varied and unsocial, and will require you to showcase your passion for arts and culture. You'll be expected to carry out weekend and evening work as part of your schedule. While you may be office-based at times, some of the work can involve site meetings, as well as local and national travel.

Many jobs are full time and you'll be employed by the theatre company itself, sometimes on a fixed-term contract. There are also opportunities for freelance consultancy work for experienced managers.

How do I become a theatre manager?

Although it's possible to become a theatre manager with a degree, foundation degree, or HND in any subject, some employers may look for qualifications in areas such as:

• arts administration
• arts in the community
• arts management
• business studies or management
• creative or performing arts
• drama or theatre studies.

Entry without a degree, HND, and foundation degree is possible in an entry-level role, such as an office assistant. You can then work your way up to a theatre manager role by gaining real-world experience, developing your skills, and undertaking relevant training. For training, experience, and funding opportunities, search Get Into Theatre. You'll need be organised, dedicated, and passionate to succeed.

Some theatres offer Level 2, 3, or 4 apprenticeships in a range of front of house roles, such as venue management, customer services, marketing, or events. Apprenticeships combine paid work with study, meaning you can train on the job. This can be a great way to get into theatre if you don't have a degree.

Postgraduate study is not essential, although if you have an unrelated degree, you may consider taking a postgraduate course in arts administration to build on your knowledge. However, it's worth checking employers' requirements beforehand.

Learn more about conservatoires and search for postgraduate courses in arts management.

Theatre management skills

You'll need to have:

• dedication to all things related to the theatre industry, performing arts, and creative pursuits
• excellent communication skills for interacting with the public, staff, and related companies
• strong organisational abilities, which includes good business acumen and leadership qualities
• marketing skills for productions and the theatre in general
• attention to detail to make sure all aspects of the theatre run smoothly
• flexibility, resilience, and the ability to juggle priorities
• a creative approach to problem-solving to deal with issues that may relate to HR, finance, or anything to do with the production itself.

Where can I get theatre manager work experience?

It's important that you have previous work experience in an arts setting, as most theatre companies expect to see evidence of at least some of the following:

• voluntary or paid work at a theatre or venue, for example, in an administration role, including a box office
• work placement at a local theatre (some larger theatres advertise work placements on their websites)
• work shadowing in a theatre or arts setting
• active membership of a theatre group
• experience of performing in or managing stage productions, either on the artistic or technical side
• experience in an arts management role
• involvement in theatre work through your local youth theatre group, university or college.

To help break into this career, try to get involved in theatre as much as possible. See as many productions as you can and talk to the people who have developed them. You can also speak to venues in your area to ask about any front of house volunteering opportunities.

Get experience in working with performing artists and keep up-to-date with what's going on in the industry on a national and local level. Reading industry press, such as The Stage, can help with this.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs theatre managers?

According to the Theatres Trust, there are over 1,100 active theatres in the UK, including commercial and subsidised ones, as well as those used by professional performers and amateur groups.

There are two main types of theatre in the UK, although some venues do both of the following:

• repertory (producing) theatres - these have a resident company producing its own work and presents plays from a repertoire
• non-repertory (presenting) or receiving theatres - these buy in plays and other productions, hosting visiting companies whose productions have been developed somewhere else.

Typical employers for theatre managers include:

• arts centres
• dance companies
• fringe theatres
• London's West End
• national theatres
• opera companies
• regional theatres.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Arts Job Finder
• The Mandy Network
• The Stage Jobs
• workculture

Individual theatres may put job adverts on their own websites.

Some roles are filled by word of mouth (reputations become known in theatre circles) or by appearing in in-house publications. Look out for alternative job titles or vacancies which include the management of specific areas within a theatre, such as:

• administration or programme manager
• box office manager
• general manager
• house or front of house manager
• venue manager.

Where can a career as a theatre manager lead?

You won't normally go straight into a theatre manager post. It's more likely you'll work your way up through a range of roles, such as front of house. There are many routes in, for example, through marketing, administration, or technical experience. You may gain an assistant management post before working your way up to general manager.

You can expect to spend between two and five years in your first role. It's likely you'll then move on to a larger theatre or different type of organisation to further develop your skills and expertise.

Career development usually depends on having experience and an established reputation. This reputation can be enhanced by:

• the artistic and financial success of productions
• reviews in the media
• a network of industry contacts
• awards received from within the theatre industry.

You may also gain experience by accepting fixed-term contracts or project work opportunities, perhaps developing a new venue or organising a particular event or festival.

With experience, opportunities to move into freelance consultancy work may open up, possibly within arts administration or cultural development.

Training is generally on the job, and there's no specific method or structured course that's followed in every theatre. Most training is informal, although occasional in-house courses may be provided.

You may be given the chance to complete external training, such as via seminars and events that are run by UK Theatre. These are available in areas such as:

• business and finance
• customer service
• disability equality
• health and safety
• negotiating skills
• management and leadership
• press, PR and marketing.

Membership of UK Theatre is useful for access to events, training and networking opportunities, as well as resources and guidance.

Reading the specialist press helps you to stay informed on the latest news and opinions affecting performing arts, and can be useful for anticipating career possibilities.

Some higher education institutions offer postgraduate courses in arts management or arts administration on a part-time or distance learning basis. This will give you extra knowledge for the job or help with career progression.