Because it’s International Stage Managers’ Day, while celebrating you, your team and your work, you can participate in helping us understand the innovation in, nature and needs of our community in stage management so that we can develop the right support for you.

Conducted biennially since 2006 the Stage Manager Survey is an international, voluntary survey open to anyone who has worked in a stage management role on at least three live audience productions, and student stage managers.

The study aims to develop a better understanding of stage managers, their production practices, working conditions, and education/training.

For SMA AU conducting and publishing research into trends, needs, practice, innovation, and processes used by or affecting stage managers and therefore the arts and cultural industries more broadly is core to our purpose.

Thanks in advance!

Here’s a bit more information:
The international 2023 Stage Manager Survey had 1,979 global participants from 32 countries.

New questions in 2025:

• software,
• script layout,
• cueing techniques,
• weekly pay, and
• mental health support.

Current students may participate: you will skip over some of the financial and career questions but receive other questions about education and training.
There is also a “veteran” track where, if you participated in the 2023 survey, you will skip over some repeated questions and test a few new ones.

Total Australian participants was 61, up from 59 in 2021.  A participating country receives a country-specific report where 20 responses or more are received – less may skew results substantially.

Australia was the fourth most represented country in the survey, after USA, UK and Canada (124 responses). Spain showed the biggest increase in participation in 2023. Other than a healthy competitive edge, globally, SMA AU benefits from this data in determining what we should be doing to support you.

Australia Participant Age Groupings:

• Under Age 21: 6%
• 21-25: 17%
• 26-30: 30%
• 31-40: 28%
• 41-50: 9%
• 51-60: 8%
• 61-70: 2%
• 71+: 0