20 Stage Manager Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Stage Manager interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer how you handle pressure in a work environment and what you do to remain productive and efficient.
Answer Example
"I thrive under pressure and always remain focused and organized. For example, if I have a short notice to complete a project, I immediately get to work. I write down what needs to be done by prioritizing the most important tasks, and will delegate tasks if this is a really big project."
2. Why should we hire you?
How to Answer
Answer by outlining the skills that you have that differentiate you from other candidates, and which you believe will act as assets in this job.
Answer Example
"I have strong project management skills, and I am a team player who keeps the company's success in mind at all times. I require minimal supervision and work tirelessly to get the job done."
3. How do you approach a script when reading it for the first time?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your experience working with a script, if you have such experience.
If you do not have such experience, mention how you would approach this particular task. Alternatively, you may outline some of your strengths or skills acquired in a professional or volunteer capacity, proving you will nevertheless be able to successfully complete this task.
Answer Example
"I do not have such experience, however I know I would be able to successfully complete this task. What I would do is first read the script twice to adequately grasp the essence of the script and then write down the most important points such as duties and deadlines. That way, I will be able to prioritize and get to work as soon as possible."
4. Tell me about your team management skills by providing an example.
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your team management skills in a professional or volunteer capacity, or alternatively how you would manage team members.
Answer Example
"In university, I managed a team of volunteers. We were volunteering for (description of X volunteer experience). This experience helped develop my team management skills and made me value the ideas and general contribution of each team member. As a result of this experience, I know I will easily be able to manage a team of professionals in a work setting."
5. How do you stay organized?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your organizational skills and provide an example of the tools you use.
Answer Example
"Organization is extremely important to be efficient. I use a variety of tools to keep track of upcoming tasks and meetings, such as to-do lists and calendar reminders, and separate all files and documents per projects to ensure I can access all files in a timely fashion."
6. When deadlines approach, how do you deal with them?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your time management and organizational skills.
Answer Example
"I always meet deadlines because I am extremely organized and do not wait at the last minute to get started on projects. I use lists and calendar reminders to ensure I do not forget anything and I review these lists daily."
7. How have you, or would you, deal with conflicts that emerge in a professional environment?
How to Answer
Give the interviewer an example of your conflict resolution skills, past or future, i.e., how you have dealt, or would deal, with conflict at work. If you do not have any example in a professional situation, you can provide an example of conflict in a university setting.
Answer Example
"I remain professional and respectful, and seek to resolve any conflict in a timely manner. For example, when working on a project with other team members, if someone is not submitting his/her part of the work by the agreed-upon deadline, I will meet with this person to see why he/she hasn't done so. If the person simply does not care about respecting the deadlines, I would calmly explain the repercussions for all of us as we are all part of a team and the project's success, and grades, depend on all of us. This particular situation happened to me when working on a project in a marketing class while in university, and I would act in a similar way at work."
8. What was your first show as a Stage Manager, or in a position where you had stage management responsibilities?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your first show you managed as a Stage Manager or alternatively, the first show you assisted on in a professional capacity. Do your best to link this experience to the position you are applying for to demonstrate you already possess the required experience/skills for this role.
Answer Example
"My first show as a Stage Manager was (X description of first show). The duties performed then are similar to some of the duties listed on your job posting (X duties on job posting similar to what you performed)."
9. Tell me in what capacity your education has prepared you for a career as a Stage Manager.
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer how and why you believed you education has prepared you for this role by emphasizing the skills acquired in school that will be transferrable to this job.
Answer Example
"I worked on numerous projects while in university and have developed excellent time and project management skills. I am positive these skills will enable me to manage any project successfully by respecting all timelines."
10. Which responsibility on the job posting do you consider the most challenging, and why?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer the duty on the job posting that you consider the most challenging and why, by emphasizing some of your strengths or past/equivalent experience that will enable you to nevertheless be successful in this role.
Answer Example
"The duty I consider the most challenging on the job description is (X duty you consider the most challenging) because I don't have experience performing this duty in a professional capacity. However, I performed a similar duty in a volunteer capacity while in school where I (X equivalent experience in a volunteer capacity). Because of this experience, I know I will be able to successfully perform in a work environment."
11. Tell me about your stage management experience.
How to Answer
Answer this question by mentioning your stage management experience in any capacity, i.e., even in positions you did not work as a Stage Manager.
Answer Example
"I worked as a Stage Manager for (X company) where I was responsible for (X duties). I also performed stage management duties at (X company). I was officially hired as a/an (X title) but I also performed (X stage management duties)."
12. What is your greatest weakness, and what are you doing to improve it?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer your greatest weakness which can nevertheless be a strength in this role. Also mention what you are doing to improve in that area.
Answer Example
"I believe my greatest weakness is that it is hard for me to stop working when there is more to do. I am very focused in my work and wish to complete all tasks by the end of each day. However, it isn't always possible to do so. To improve in that area, I do my best to prioritize and use daily to-do lists to keep track of my duties so that I can get to work as soon as I get to the office in the morning."
13. What are your greatest strengths, and how will they help you as a Stage Manager?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer your greatest strengths which you believe will help you be successful in this role.
Answer Example
"I thrive on challenges and do not hesitate to work long hours to get the job done. I also have strong project management, time management and organizational skills which will absolutely benefit me in this role."
14. Why are you the best candidate for us?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer your strengths including your qualities and educational/professional qualifications and how they will benefit you in this role.
Answer Example
"In addition to my educational qualifications and experience which I believed prepared me for this role, I am a hard-worker, a team player and work tirelessly to get the job done. I thrive on challenges and always remain extremely committed to the success of any project."
15. Why did you or do you wish to pursue a career as Stage Manager?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer the reasons why becoming a Stage Manager is or was the logical step in your career by emphasizing some of your strengths that will benefit you in this particular role.
Answer Example
"I enjoy shows and managing projects of all kinds. I believe that my passion for entertainment and project management, in addition to my educational qualifications related to this field, led me to pursuing this career."
16. What excites you the most about this position?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer the aspects of the job that excites you the most (based upon the job description) and why. Link your answer with some of your qualifications to demonstrate you are suited for this role.
Answer Example
"Being the main point of contact for all matters related to shows and projects is very exciting because I love being responsible for the management and success of projects of all kinds. I also know that my educational and professional qualifications have prepared me for this role and will help me be a highly successful Stage Manager."
17. Tell me about your educational qualifications, and how they will contribute to your success in this position.
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer the degrees and certifications that you have, by emphasizing the ones that will help you succeed in this role.
Answer Example
"I have a Bachelor's degree in Management from the University of Florida and a Project Management Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania. Based upon these courses of study, I know that these qualifications will undoubtedly help me be highly successful on the job."
18. Give me an example of your ability to handle stressful situations.
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer what you do to handle situations calmly despite the high stress level by providing an example to support your position.
Answer Example
"I always remain calm and look for ways to be more efficient. For instance, if there is an unexpected deadline, I will determine what can be done to ensure the deadline can be met, I will write down the steps to take to ensure successful completion and will delegate a few tasks if necessary. In brief, I am always ready to adjust my approach because stressful situations are bound to occur in a professional environment."
19. What was the most successful production you have worked on, and in your opinion, what contributed to its success?
How to Answer
Answer by mentioning a production you worked on that was a success, and the reasons why. Ensure to mention what you did to contribute to the success of the production which will show the interviewer you will use similar skills in this job.
Answer Example
"The production I consider the most successful is (X successful production). I think it was so successful due to the great team work and great commitment of all parties involved. A production involves a lot of people and every task matter. This is why I am very committed to every project as I am part of the collective and know each task affects the finished product."
20. What stage management duties do you consider the most challenging on our job posting?
How to Answer
Answer this question by mentioning the stage management duties you have considered the most challenging - or consider challenging based upon the job posting, while expressing your previously acquired skills that will enable you to nevertheless successfully complete those duties.
Answer Example
"(X duty you consider challenging on the job posting) is one I consider challenging as I never had to perform this duty. However, I am positive I will successfully be able to perform this duty due to my (X acquired skills or X experience that will enable you to succeed in this role - such as project management skills acquired while working as a Project Manager). I am sure I can easily transfer these skills acquired in this role to this position."