Dramatics Magazine Online: Jereme Kyle Lewis has been stage managing on Broadway for 10 years. He says, “The work is hard. The road to get [to Broadway] is hard. But the payoff to be living my dreams and to be a working artist is worth all the late nights, all the times I was told no or when I didn’t get the gig.”
7 comments:
I really liked this article because it showed how many opportunities there are in theater. He talked about how he knew that he always wanted to be in theater and that he didn’t know where he would end up. And I feel like a lot of us can relate to that. I know I can, I’ve always wanted to just be in the theater atmosphere And be doing theater now of course I’m looking at costumes. But I’ve just always wanted to work in theater whether that be stage managing, costuming or scenic, anything. That’s why I really like this article because he talked about that. There were so many opportunities within the theater experience and you just have to open the doors for yourself is what he said. I also really liked how he talked about disconnecting from work life, because even if you really like the job you’re doing you still have to disconnect.
This article gives a very interesting and new perspective to a field that I have been interested in for a long time. As much as I have tried to read and learn about how to get into the industry, how to get jobs, and what it’s like working as a stage manager in professional theater and especially on Broadway, I have never seen this kind of perspective on what the industry is actually like once you’ve “made it.” Reading this article made me excited to continue with my education and pursuing a career in stage management and also reaffirmed for me that I did indeed choose the right path. I was excited to see what my life could be like if I continue to pursue my dreams. I also really loved how he talked about how he got to where he is by not solely doing stage management jobs and just saying yes to as many different opportunities as he could.
The role of a stage manager on Broadway, as outlined in the article on dramatics.org, is a vital and demanding one. Stage managers are responsible for coordinating all aspects of production, from rehearsals to performances, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
As someone interested in pursuing this career it is important to remember the role of a stage manager on Broadway is a challenging and rewarding one that requires a wide range of skills and abilities. Being a stage manager is a vital position for a successful production, it takes a great deal of dedication and hard work, but the end result is a polished and seamless performance that is enjoyed by audiences around the world.
In addition, stage managers are also responsible for maintaining the continuity of the production, ensuring that the actors hit their marks, and that the lighting and sound cues are timed correctly. This requires a good memory and a keen attention to detail.
Starting out in theatre with Stage Management was, in my opinion, the best way to start out my theatrical career. Stage Management is a really hard job, but it is so rewarding. There are many days where I consider a career in stage management instead of a career in lighting. It was always my dream to be a stage manager on Broadway. So much of what Jereme Kyle Lewis says is true. There is so much time commitment and scheduling. In high school I spent so much time on my stage management things. I would work for hours after school and rehearsals on show prep, paperwork, and anything else that would make the show flow smoothly for everyone else. One of the things I struggled with, like most stage managers, is the work-life balance. It’s so valuable for any theatre artist or manager to learn. This was a great article and I always love to hear about stage managers on Broadway!
My sister went to college for stage management and she is currently struggling to find a job in her field of studied work. I think something important that Lewis emphasized was never saying no to yourself when you have an opportunity you can take. Of course there are limits to saying no and knowing your limits but I think a large part of my sister’s struggle to find a job in stage management is just throwing yourself into a job you might not be 100% ready for. I like to just bite the bullet often and just go for it when it comes to opportunities in the arts and I aspire to be like Lewis in my future career and just acknowledge you’ll never feel fully adequate or prepared when entering a new job in the field. Lewis also mentioned taking time for himself as part of a successful career and I think “never saying no to yourself” can apply to never denying yourself a rest or a time to relax as well.
This article is exactly what I’ve been needing to read. It is good to understand the logistics behind being a broadway stage manager beyond the job characteristics. I know that it is a long and hard road that requires plenty of sacrifices but it is good to know that the reward of doing what you truly love is enough to keep going. I definitely agree with Lewis when he talks about how the little things keep him going. A 20-minute walk really can do wonders when you feel like you’re stuck in a rut. And getting your nails done really could be the push you need to keep going, the little bit of joy that you needed to put a smile on your face that day. Overall, this article reminded me that at the end of the day, this job is hard and you will be exhausted but it comes with overwhelming rewards.
I like what Lewis said about dreaming of doing something to transitioning to actually doing it. A lot of people working to make there way in theatre have this idea of “making it,” or “reaching the big time” or some other vague goal of achieving their dreams, so it must be really great to have that moment where you realize that you are doing the thing you wanted to do for so long – whether that finish line to you is Broadway, or working at a regional theatre, or any other part of a long list of possible goals. I definitely agree that work-life balance is so necessary, and I’m glad to see that Lewis is still able to prioritize that working on Broadway. It’s good to know the distinction between “I can be working right now” and “I should be working right now.” As in, if you have a break, take it, or you’ll never get one.
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