The master of fine arts (M.F.A.) stage management program seeks to develop flexible, resilient stage managers/artists with excellent judgment, a broad base of skills, breadth of knowledge, and the high personal professional standards befitting a leadership position in the theater. Stage management at Rutgers focuses on three important points of view:
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Theater is a collaborative art form that evolves from inception to opening with change as the norm.
- Stage management requires flexibility and a no-problem-is-too-large mentality.
- Each production, director, producer, company, and play requires a unique approach to systems and problem solving.
The program combines an excellent generalized knowledge and respect for all aspects of theater with a variety of production levels to create artistically astute, well-rounded, thoughtful stage managers. The training and curricular cores come together in production practice where all stage managers' coursework informs their work on a play. Stage managers bring together the skills learned in classes, shops, and other production assignments, along with their personal judgment, styles, and standards to learn the craft of stage managing. Ultimately, each stage manager is a crucial facilitator working from a core artistic sensibility to support the work of the contributing artists as they all bring the performance to life.
Rutgers has a community of approximately 20 bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) and M.F.A. stage managers. Each production's stage management team is staffed fully from the ranks of stage management majors. Mentorship and collaboration are hallmarks of the program.
The program is looking for curious, generous, smart, collaborative managers and problem solvers who approach each discipline with respect and appreciation. In and out of the program, stage managers develop longstanding collaborative relationships with directors, playwrights, actors, and designers.
