Fall 2026 Stage Manager Training Series
Application closes Wed, Sept 2, 2026.
SFBATCO is seeking early career theatre artists interested in stage management. Funded by the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), this four week program will provide participants with an overview of the role of the stage manager in sessions led by experienced industry professionals. Participants will build skills, prepare for future interviews and applications, and make connections that will prepare them to succeed as stage managers in the field.
This year's training series offers two levels: beginner and intermediate. The beginner's track is for those with little to no experience in stage management, and the intermediate track is for those who have already had some experience, or have completed a previous stage management training series with us. Generally, the beginner's cohort will meet from 6-8PM and the intermediate cohort will meet from 8-10PM. Some sessions may include a half-hour overlap with both cohorts from 7:45-8:15PM.
Applicant Guidelines:
Applicants must be 17 or older. We will select no more than 10 applicants. Because this is funded by OEWD, priority will be given to applicants based in San Francisco, with proof of SF residency. Priority will also be given to candidates with no conflicts.
We encourage prospective participants to apply regardless of experience level–the most important thing is a genuine interest in stage management. You may apply for BOTH the beginner and intermediate level courses, but please note you will only be invited to enroll in one course at a time. The courses cannot be taken concurrently.
Program Dates: September 21 to October 17, 2026
Monday and Wednesday evenings, with a culminating day on Saturday, 10/17.
All sessions will be in person in San Francisco. Sessions on 9/30, 10/7, and 10/14 will be onsite during load-in and tech for SFBATCO's production of Every Saturday Night at the Strand Theater: 1127 Market St. The location for all other sessions is TBD.
Mon 9/21: Beginner 6-8PM, Intermediate 8-10PM
Wed 9/23: Beginner 6-8PM, Intermediate 8-10PM
Mon 9/28: Beginner 6-8PM, Intermediate 8-10PM
Wed 9/30: All Trainees 6-10PM (?)
Mon 10/5: Beginner 6-8PM, Intermediate 8-10PM
Wed 10/7: All Trainees 6-10PM (?)
Mon 10/12: Beginner 6-8PM, Intermediate 8-10PM
Wed 10/14 All Trainees 6-10PM (?)
Saturday 10/17 12:00-4:00 PM
All participants will receive a $500 stipend for their participation.
Email river@sfbatco.org with any questions.
Testimonials from our previous Stage Management Training cohort:
“Thank you for this opportunity! I am super grateful that I got to be a part of it. The program definitely fulfilled my goals.”
“I loved the program…it was so nice to have a cohort that we could bounce ideas and questions off of, and …[I made] more connections with other Bay Area theatremakers.”
“Please keep in touch! I love doing this, I love SFBATCO, and I can't wait to work more with y'all in the future!”
“The paperwork templates Trinity provided were very helpful”