Stage Manager
Lyric theatre

Purpose of the Post

The Stage Manager is a key member of the production team at the Lyric Theatre and will take day-to-day responsibilities for the performing companies and contract stage management teams on the shows to which they are assigned. Taking on the role of SM, DSM or ASM on their assigned production, in keeping with the needs of the department. The Stage Manager would be responsible for overseeing propping, sourcing and budget lines on assigned shows, as required by Company Stage Manager. They would also be required to maintain the on-site props store, workshop and props store in Mallusk and deputising for Company Stage Manager when need arises, in line with needs of the department.

In Rehearsal

• To make books as required and maintain the prompt script, contact sheet, props lists, etc. in rehearsal and to cue show during performance. The prompt copy should be marked up clearly and legibly in case the need for cover arises.
• To be responsible for the rehearsal room mark out and to update it as required.
• To draw up & circulate rehearsal calls.
• To liaise between other departments and communicate all relevant information via rehearsal notes.
• To prepare the rehearsal room daily for rehearsal.
• To act as nominated First Aider in the rehearsal room.
• To compile cast tech schedules and update / circulate to cast and team as required.
• To be familiar with the theatre’s Health & Safety Policy, relevant fire safety and emergency procedures and positions of fire extinguishers, etc., and assist the Company Stage Manager and other production department HOD’s to maintain adequate levels of Health & Safety.
• To report cast, company and stage management hours to the Company Stage Manager as required.
• To help arrange and attend production meetings as required.
• To formulate setting and running lists for productions.
• To record blocking of fight rehearsals and oversee fight calls in Fight Director’s absence.
• To liaise with the Costume Department in arranging measurements and costume fittings as required.
• To prop shows as required, including basic prop makes, ensuring props and makes are allocated or delegated where applicable, and completed on time.
• To operate sound, lighting, and / or video equipment in the rehearsal room as required.
• If not on the book, to run technical rehearsals in the absence of the Company Stage Manager, ensuring that the time is used efficiently, all breaks are adhered to, and ensuring that the show is ready to open on time.
• Oversee the show budget, when required, taking responsibility for updating spends spreadsheet and budget lines relevant to their assigned show.
• Managing freelance staff assigned to the production - including managing their hours and breaks in the absence of the CSM

In Performance

• To write and circulate show reports to all relevant personnel.
• To shadow other books and backstage positions as required.
• To carry out deck plots as required (if off the book)
• In absence of Company Stage Manager, to record any necessary details of accidents or near misses in the accident book and produce incident reports.
• To be responsible for safe storage of cast valuables if required.
• To be responsible for the setup of props / settings for performances as necessary in conjunction with the other members of the Stage Management team.
• To work on Lyric Theatre touring shows as required.
• To be familiar and assist with fire evacuation procedures.
• To be familiar with the theatre’s firearm & weapon handling policy.

General

• To assist in planning staff requirements and helping to manage freelance stage management staff to meet the needs of the theatre programme and production schedules.
• To work closely with directors and creative teams to realise their vision maximising the use of the theatre’s available resources.
• To assist in planning and supervising all aspects of stage management activities.
• To assist with liaising with visiting companies or producers to ensure that visits to the Lyric are successfully supported, delivering a high standard of customer service.
• To assist with ensuring the effective running of all stage management facilities including the rehearsal room, prop and furniture stores.
• To work in conjunction with the Company Stage Manager and production management to co-ordinate any planned tours or transfers by the theatre.
• In conjunction with the touring production management team, overseeing the administration and welfare of both the acting company and stage management team whilst on tour.

Management

• Promoting a commitment from the stage management team to high levels of technical excellence, flexibility, and customer service.
• Working with programming colleagues to schedule activities in both auditoria and any outside tours, transfers, or site-specific projects.
• Contribute to the day to day running of the organisation and serve its long-term interests as a member of the Lyric’s management team.

Health & Safety

• Contribute to the development of the health and safety policy and the development of safe and efficient systems of working.
• To undertake health and safety training as required.
• Keeping abreast of current developments in health and safety and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Theatre’s Health & Safety Policy.
• Ensuring the maintenance and safety of all working areas and implementing best practice across the department.
• Where required, undertake risk assessments.
• To consider and address any health and safety issues that arise in respect of the show and the cast.
• Contribute to the creation and development of strategic business plans, campaign plans and overall marketing plan;
• Other relevant duties as may be required from time to time as part of working in a small team, and that fall within the general scope of the post;
• All staff are required to be professional, co-operative and flexible, as the role demands.

About the Organisation

The Lyric Theatre enjoys a special place within Northern Ireland’s artistic landscape. As a prolific production house, the Lyric is the beating cultural heart of Northern Ireland – inspiring and entertaining audiences with both new and established plays and helping to launch the careers of some of our most famous actors, directors, and playwrights. The Lyric is a playhouse for all. We are a shared civic space for artists and audiences alike; a creative hub for theatre-making, nurturing talent and promoting the critical role of the arts in society.

As Northern Ireland’s only full-time producing theatre, each year we produce 9 or 10 full-scale productions, 2 of which run concurrently at Christmas. We also receive visiting work from touring companies. We stage some 400 performances each year and are the largest employer of theatre practitioners in Northern Ireland. Our modern theatre opened in 2011 and consists of the 390-seat main stage and the 124- seat flexible Naughton Studio. In recent years, the theatre won 4 Irish Theatre Awards, was voted NI’s most welcoming theatre, staged co-productions with the Abbey Theatre, Soho Theatre and the Dublin Theatre Festival and toured to New York, London, Glasgow, and Dublin. In 2022, we won Best Play Revival for Translations with Abbey Theatre at the UK Theatre Awards, in addition to our Creative Learning department winning Excellence in Arts Education. In 2023 we won Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards, and Business Contribution to the LGBTQIA+ Community at the GNI Mag Awards.

There are two group companies. Lyric Theatre NI (The parent company) is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity and is also the owner and operator of the theatre and the primary recipient of grant funding. Lyric Players Theatre Productions Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lyric Theatre NI and is responsible for producing professional theatre productions and the operation of food and beverage operations within the theatre. The combined turnover of the two companies is in excess of £4.5million and employ more than 100 employees. For more information on the Lyric Theatre, visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk.