Theater managers are responsible for managing staff, marketing, scheduling, budgeting, and ensuring profitability. They may have a business or fine arts degree and perform hands-on tasks in smaller theaters. They negotiate with film distributors and choose plays that interest locals. Safety standards and accounting are also important responsibilities.
The overall responsibility of a theater manager is to manage a theater so that it is profitable. Theater managers hire and manage staff, engage in marketing efforts to promote shows, organize show schedules, order concession food, oversee the budget, and basically make sure everything runs smoothly. A movie theater manager might have a business degree, while live theater managers might have a fine arts degree. The smaller the theater, the more hands-on tasks theater managers are likely to do on a daily basis. In larger theaters, managers may have an assistant who works on the front lines.
For example, in a big screen movie theater, the manager might hire a high school student to train as an assistant manager. This employee usually works with other employees such as ticket takers or concession station employees, but leads the others. Students often start working evenings and weekends. Salary is usually around minimum wage, but some theaters offer help with college classes and free movies. In small theaters, the theater manager may have a limited number of employees, so he may have to perform practical tasks such as serving customers popcorn and soda.
In large movie theaters, the theater manager may spend most of the workday in an office, performing tasks such as record keeping, creating marketing materials, and ordering snacks for the concession. Theater managers must also communicate with film distributors. Film distributors can require up to 90% of box office sales to show a film; therefore, part of a theater manager’s job is to try to negotiate a lower rate to increase the theater’s profit. Theater managers also have ticket sales targets; therefore, they need to choose movies that local audiences want to see in order to sell enough tickets.
Theater managers of live shows also need to ensure an adequate number of ticket sales by choosing plays that interest locals. They ensure sets are built and costumes are completed in time for rehearsals. Ensuring that laws for safety standards are adhered to is an ongoing concern in theater manager jobs and theater managers must also hire and supervise safety personnel. A live theater manager is usually responsible for accounting and payroll for the cast and crew, as well as keeping track of their attendance. A theater manager also has the responsibility of ensuring that the theater is properly closed after each performance.
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