Stage Manager/Service Director Job Descriptions

[Mark Nicholson]

I am in the process of writing position profiles and job descriptions for service director and stage manager. Do any of you have any documents you could share? Anything you have would be really appreciated.


Mark

[Gracetech]

Maybe the title needs to be more clearer? I'm not for sure if that's the case but what would the general responsibilities involve?

Would:
Technical Director
Worship Director
Service Coordinator
fit better?

These are just a few titles. Titles can help convey the responsibilities involved and while Stage Manager is a title that conveys well i'm just interested to see if it's conveying the correct thing.

Sorry for questioning you if that is in fact all you are looking for. I've never heard of a church just looking for a stage manager so that's why i'm confused.

crt

BTW: Welcome to CMN!!

[cjlowe]

Stage Manager
Key tasks:
- Manage stage

[waynehoskins]

Stage manager like what? In theatre, the SM sits on prompt and calls the cues out of the book. Board ops take cues directly from the SM: "lights 37, go" means the lightboard op makes cue 37 happen when the SM says the word "go". The SM also in the rehearsal process feeds lines, writes blocking, calls breaks, and so on in that manner. In professional theatre, the SM is also responsible for ensuring compliance with Equity rules.

I could go back and give a more complete description out of my stage management book at home, but I don't think you are really looking for a stage manager.

Perhaps you could better describe the jobs you're looking for job descriptions for?

[Mark Nicholson]

I am sorry to have been so vague. Our stage manager (and perhaps it is not the best moniker for this job) is responsible to communicate stage need during sound checks to the sound booth, assisting with monitor settings, making equipment changes, communicating needs from the pastor to the service director, etc. It is a volunteer position, yet it takes a certain proactive personality.

Our worship service director is also volunteer and is responsible, more than anything, keeping all technical elements on their toes, constantly in communication with the stage, sound, lighting and media. They have to be able to react to anything that arises and quickly diagnose and solve problems that may arise during the service.

I hope that helps.

[Gracetech]

Sounds like you want a Stage Technician. A Stage Manager can handle the orgainization and communication but usually lack the technical knowledge to be much use in trouble shooting. You could very well call it a Stage Manager, just be sure to note in the description that a strong technical knowledge is necessary.

I don't have a job profile for that position but i can give you some traits to look for.

Type A personality.
Highly communicative
Thinks on their feet.
strong technical background
Ability to deal with Musicians

Ok that last one was just for fun.

I'm sure more will chime in to help out. Feel free to post as you go and we can give you as much guidance and constructive criticism to get you going.

crt

[waynehoskins]

Sounds like what in theatre we would call a "deck chief", or possibly stagehand or A2, then.

[Mark Nicholson]

Here's what I have so far for the position profile. Specific job description will take a little more time.

Summary

Responsible for timely facilitation, coordination and communication of platform needs that enhance the service environment while advancing the cause of worship, evangelism and spiritual formation at Faith Assembly.

Attributes/Expectations

• Excellent “ear” for balance and blend of vocal parts and instrumentation.
• Ability to anticipate platform participant needs, balanced with sensitivity to viewers/listeners
• Anticipate potential disruptions and take immediate action to address them, as quickly as possible
• Ability diagnose the source of equipment malfunction and to move quickly to bring solutions and/or resolution
• Ability to clearly define and communicate fold back needs to sound engineers that represent the needs of the whole, not just the individual.
• Decisiveness, especially under pressure
• Attend training sessions and team meetings
• Flexibility/adaptability to change

I would love more input/ideas if anyone has them.

Mark

[waynehoskins]

To me that almost seems like several people's jobs smashed into one .. particularly, jobs from multiple disciplines.

fix the stuff = system engineer
blend vocal parts = vocal coach
blend instrument parts = band director
anticipate platform needs = deck chief, kinda
?stop disruptions
tell the sound guys the monitor needs = middleman / A2

I don't really understand the role. What problems are you having that this is to solve?

[cjlowe]

Sounds like the word "director" should be in the title somewhere, since they'll be giving orders to other roles.

[mrngorickets]

Hi,

Thanks very much for this comment. It help me to think about my ideals.

Tks again and pls keep posting.

[johnterry807]

Hi,
I am also very interested in this subject, but the reference is very limited. You can share documents as well as experience? Thanks!