How to hire an assistant stage manager

How to hire an assistant stage manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step assistant stage manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an assistant stage manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant stage manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an assistant stage manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an assistant stage manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an assistant stage manager that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of assistant stage manager salaries for various roles:

   Type of Assistant Stage Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Assistant Stage Manager	Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.	$12-32
   Producer Director	A producer-director is responsible for ensuring that the production operations run smoothly, both in the business and creative side. The producer-director monitors the production staff's performance, as well as reviewing the output of delegated tasks, and manages promotional and marketing events... Show more	$15-43
   Producer	A producer is an individual who is responsible for providing infrastructure, resources, and logistics in making a movie, television show, or stage production. Producers hire production staff such as director, crew, and sometimes actors to coordinate their activities throughout the production process... Show more	$20-57

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Live Performances
   • Technical Aspects
   • Costumes
   • Stage Management
   • ASM
   • Light Board
   • Sound Equipment
   • Production Process
   • Smooth Execution
   • Rehearsal Process
   • Sound Board
   • Performance Reports
   • Drama
   • Rehearsal Schedules

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Work with SFX manager/costume technician to make and manage costumes and props, replenishing single- use props as needed.
   • Maintain and occasionally style wigs.
   • Construct costume, style wigs and apply makeup.
   • Reduce and control expenses by monitoring inventory and FTE's.
   • Supervise wardrobe department to ensure costumes are fixed and clean efficiently.
   • Perform in a unify communications convergence environment to receive and configure devices, troubleshoot computerize telephone equipment.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your assistant stage manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An assistant stage manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, assistant stage managers' average salary in idaho is 61% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level assistant stage managers earn 60% less than senior-level assistant stage managers.
   • Certifications. An assistant stage manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an assistant stage manager's salary.

   Average assistant stage manager salary

   $43,348yearly

   $20.84 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level assistant stage manager salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

4. Writing an assistant stage manager job description

   An assistant stage manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an assistant stage manager job description:

   Assistant stage manager job description example

   Universal Orlando Resort believes in-person collaboration is key to our success. Many of our Team Members work in a hybrid capacity, contributing from the workplace a minimum of three days per week. Some remote opportunities are available within specific departments. There are also roles that require being on-site full time. You'll learn more about this during the application process.
   
   JOB SUMMARY: The Assistant Stage Manager reports to the Stage Manager and is responsible for taking ownership of their assigned area. They should have a complete knowledge of their area, tech and talent and be able to address cast concerns and properly disseminate tech information to the appropriate technical teams. They support the Stage Manager in operating their area and maintain all scheduling.
   MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   * Accountable for the supervision and evaluation of all talent and administrative staff for the assigned venue(s) assuring that all administrative duties are completed in a timely, accurate manner including but not limited to scheduling, payroll, daily flash, overtime summary and other budgetary functions for the assigned venue(s).
   * Monitor all performance and backstage areas for quality, safety, etc.
   * Responsible for effectively communicating necessary information which pertains to the operation of the assigned entertainment venue(s), to both upper management and employees of the venue(s).
   * Accountable to administer all company policies & procedures as well as handle all employee relations issues pertaining to the assigned venue (s).
   * Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
   * Performs other duties as assigned.
   
   EDUCATION:
   
   * High school degree or GED required.
   * Associate degree (AA) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school is preferred.
   
   EXPERIENCE:
   
   * 0-1 Year: Experience in working in fast paced environment, flexible, organized is required.
   * 1+ Years Prior entertainment and/or management experience is preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
   
   Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.
   
   Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.
   
   Universal Orlando Resort. Here you can.
   
   Universal Orlando is an equal opportunity employer. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2022 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. EOE

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find assistant stage managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your assistant stage manager job on Zippia to find and recruit assistant stage manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit assistant stage managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant stage manager

   Once you've found the assistant stage manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new assistant stage manager first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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