Illinois Theatre

The Stage Management Program at UIUC provides dedicated theatre artists the necessary resources and experiences to develop into professional stage managers ready to meet the rigors and demands in any genre of live performance. Our program strives to provide a creative and dynamic production environment that sets a high standard in developing communication and technical skills while ensuring guided and progressive learning throughout the students’ academic careers. We expect graduates of the stage management program to be flexible, confident, people-oriented managers who are ready to enter the professional world equipped with the skills and industry knowledge essential to a successful career in the arts.

Creating Leaders

The foundations of strong stage management lie in the basics of good leadership. Stage Management classes focus on developing skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and team management while addressing topics specific to the work of the professional stage manager. Coursework and special projects are designed to challenge students to develop skills in production analysis, writing, presentation and computer proficiency. Classes in design, history and technology round out a vigorous theatre curriculum, Visiting technicians and performers from the Krannert Center often guest lecture, letting students interact with working Production Managers, Stage Managers, Company Managers, Producers, Directors and Artists in a casual seminar environment. Principles and techniques encountered in the classroom are fully explored through work as PSMs, SMs, and ASMs during a season of over a dozen main stage and studio productions.

The Theatre as Laboratory

The performance spaces at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts are the labs for the theatre students and the stage managers are no exception. With a unique partnership between the Resident Productions of the Theatre, Dance and Opera Departments and the expansive facilities of KCPA, production assignments are fulfilled in a world populated by experienced professionals, seasoned faculty and other talented students. This thorough emersion into three major genres of the performing arts along with the partnership of KCPA, creates a vibrant educational environment exceptionally suited to training versatile, flexible and well-rounded stage managers.

On the Edge of the Extraordinary

Students also have the opportunity to work as stage managers and production coordinators on a variety of new works produced by KCPA, collaborating with cutting edge artists including The Builders Association, Bebe Miller Dance Company, Mikel Rouse, and Ralph Lemon. Nationally, these artists are redefining theatrical expectation and reinventing traditional storytelling and KCPA is a leader in producing these new voices of contemporary theatre. Stage management students can work in a variety of capacities on these projects, gaining hands-on experience with integrated video, audio and lighting technology as well as being collaborative partners in the creation of new work.