Theater managers need strong organizational and people skills, as well as knowledge of technical and artistic workings. They must coordinate staff, finances, and deal with last-minute issues. Movie theater managers don’t need specialized training, while stage theater managers usually need a degree in commercial or artistic management.
A theater manager must have strong organizational and people skills, as well as knowledge of the technical and artistic workings of a theatre. The exact skills you’ll need will vary depending on whether you’re managing a theater or a cinema. A stage theater manager is responsible for the running of a specific theater and is not to be confused with the stage manager, who is responsible for organizational matters relating to a specific production.
The most important skill set for a theater manager is the ability to work with people. The manager’s responsibilities generally consist of hiring, scheduling and coordinating theater staff, including box office, concessions, technical and janitorial staff. In a stage theater this can also include the actors and directors of companies and individual performances. The theater manager must work to ensure that all these workers have the means to perform their individual roles so that the theater runs smoothly.
In addition to organizing people, the manager must also organize various financial aspects of the theater. For a movie theater manager, this includes negotiating with production companies what percentage of ticket sales the theater keeps and what percentage goes back to the production company in exchange for the right to show movies. Fundraising and publicity for individual productions can also be included for stage theater managers. Depending on the size of the theater, an accountant may be hired to help with the financial aspects of the theater, but both types of managers must still have a basic understanding of business and marketing principles to ensure that the theater is profitable. .
Stage theater managers may also need a general understanding of the workings of the theater arts to deal with issues that may arise at the last minute before productions. The manager must be able to deal with technical difficulties related to sound or lighting. He or she must also act as a liaison between various staff members and ensure that the needs of the theater’s patrons are met.
Generally, movie theater managers do not need to have degrees or any specialized training, although an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business or finance can be beneficial. Stage theater managers, however, usually need a degree in commercial or artistic management. They can even earn advanced degrees, such as a Master of Fine Arts, to work with luxury movie theaters.
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