Stage Manager - Main Stage

The Second City

Main Stage Stage Manager

Chicago, IL

The Company: 

Dedicated to entertaining, inspiring, and transforming through courageous comedy, The Second City is the premier brand in improv-based sketch comedy, with sold-out shows playing on stages in Chicago, Toronto, and New York City, and our Touring and Theatrical companies entertaining an additional one million theatergoers a year around the globe. The Second City Training Center is the largest school of improvisation-based arts on the planet, with locations in Chicago, Toronto, and New York. Second City Works, the B2B side of Second City, has brought award-winning improvisation and audience-driven techniques to over 600 Fortune 1000 companies, challenging businesses seeking a more collaborative culture to innovate through development programs, original digital and video content, campaign consultation, private events, and more. For additional information on The Second City please visit: www.secondcity.com 

Position Overview:  

The Mainstage Stage Manager is responsible for executing Second City’s flagship show in its most popular venue 6 nights per week, for a total of 8 shows per week. The stage manager works with the Producer, Director, Music Director, Cast, and technical team to ensure the smooth execution of the show every night. During the devising rehearsal process for the show, the Stage Manager is expected to attend all rehearsals and coordinate the execution of the new material devised in the room that same night to the best of everyone’s abilities. They are expected to operate the lighting console for every rehearsal and performance (both off of submasters and cues) and help to solve or communicate any technical needs brought up in the room. They are expected to be a hub of communication about changes to the show and needs in the rehearsal room to the rest of the production team and to the cast and director about the requirements from the production team. The Stage Manager is also expected to communicate, keep track of, and create the weekly schedule based on the production calendar. During the run of the show, the Stage Manager notes the actors to keep the show in line with the vision of the director, communicates notes, fields cast complaints and questions and escalates appropriately, and, of course, ensures that all communication to the ensemble and production team is clear. 

This is a union contract position under The Second City's Special Agreement with the Actors' Equity Association. 

The ideal candidate for this position is a highly experienced collaborator who is comfortable navigating change on a nightly basis as new sketches and material come in. We are looking for someone with a cool head and a positive outlook who is comfortable working with others to find the best possible solution to problems with a special eye on making things safe and comfortable for our casts and crew. The ideal candidate will also have some ability in theatrical tech to help to troubleshoot and solve problems with the assistance and guidance of our technical team. This candidate should also have experience, preferably in improvisation, devising and collaborating with others to generate material in the room. 

Qualifications:  

• Minimum 5 years' experience as a stage manager in professional theatrical settings  

• Experience in improvisational comedy, devised theatre, and/or sketch is required  

• Experience working under an AEA contract is a plus  

• Familiarity with QLab, ETC EoS, and QL audio consoles highly sought  

• Additional experience in theatrical production, such as lighting design and stagecraft, is a plus 

Essential Duties:  

• Run lighting console for 2 act Sketch and Improv comedy revues  

• Collaborate with casts, music directors, producers, house staff, technical staff, and directors on performances and rehearsals  

• Create and send schedules, daily calls, performance reports, and rehearsal reports • Ensure the production is compliant with Equity standards  

• Field cast questions and concerns and escalate appropriately  

• Note cast during the run of the show to ensure the show stays within the original vision  

• Manage understudy and put-in rehearsals for performers, music directors and stage managers  

• Pull rehearsal props and communicate specialty prop needs  

• Help consult and problem-solve to make all aspects of the production safe for all involved. 

Contract Dates: TBD February 2025 – TBD January 2026 

Pay: $1,199.72 / week  

*We are an open, inclusive workplace and welcome applicants who bring along with them diverse life experiences, including every permutation of economic and cultural backgrounds, orientation, ethnicity and points of view. We strive to continue our efforts to work with people who may otherwise be marginalized or underrepresented in our business and around our community.