Company stage manger (CSM)
The Stage Management Association, says:
On larger productions, a separate company manager, who is usually from a stage management background, will act on behalf of the producers in a financial and administrative capacity. They will also have many additional duties such as coordination of publicity, liaising calls with the permanent creative team and ensuring a dialogue with the front-of-house and theatre managers concerning the smooth interaction of the production requirements with the theatre management and staff. They will also be responsible for rostering the theatre stage and electrics staff.
However, in less complex or relatively smaller scale productions, these other and extra duties are often taken on by the stage manager, who is then known as a company & stage manager. The tendency is then to allow the DSM more stage oriented responsibilities.
During rehearsal and production period, the CSM (company stage manager) coordinates technical departments and makes sure all elements of the production are in the right place at the right time and correct according to the director’s and designer’s requirements.
During the run, the CSM has overall responsibility for keeping every performance in line with the director’s original production. The CSM should avoid having specific performance duties, so as to remain free to watch scenes from in front, liaise with the front of house staff and deal with emergencies.
Most CSMs have access to a computer. Most producing managements, directors and others on the creative team now expect show information, such as nightly performance reports, via fax, or more usually email. Box office figures to the management, if part of the duties, are transmitted in the same fashion.
