TS 13002

TS 13002 is a vocational standard for the role of stage manager in state and private theatres. In live theatre, the stage manager is a central coordinator who helps keep rehearsals and performances running smoothly by organising backstage flow, timing, and communication between the creative and technical teams.

What this theatre role covers

According to the scope, the standard addresses the classification of the stage manager role, the professional specifications and qualification framework, and the evaluation approach. In theatre production, the stage manager supports the production by keeping cues, transitions, and stage operations orderly, while acting as a key link between performers, the director, stage crew, and technical staff. The role is therefore organisational as much as operational, ensuring that the performance process remains disciplined and coordinated.

Why the distinction matters in practice

From a general technical perspective, stage management is what makes live performance repeatable and reliable. In repertory theatres, touring productions, or tightly scheduled rehearsal periods, the stage manager helps maintain the integrity of stage arrangements and the timing of movements and scene changes. This standard focuses on the professional definition and evaluation framework for that occupation; it does not describe the artistic content of a production, but rather the occupational profile of the person who manages this function.

• Covers stage managers working in state or private theatres.
• Addresses role classification and the qualification framework.
• Includes an evaluation dimension.
• Centers on coordination and flow management on stage.