Don’t know what to get the stage manager in your life? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve created this gift guide with stage managers in mind, listing unique ideas with a wide price range so you can find the perfect gift this holiday season. All of these items will be useful and/or entertaining to stage managers of any experience level, so they are sure to appreciate your gift.
1) a membership to the Stage Managers’ Association (SMA)
price range: $37 (student) – $70 (professional)
The Stage Managers’ Association is an invaluable tool to all stage managers. They are an organization dedicated to the education and support of stage managers across the United States. They will be especially helpful for student or early-career stage managers as the SMA hosts operation observations where members are able to shadow stage managers working on the job for shows across the country, including touring Broadway shows! A membership also give you access to job postings, special networking events, and career advancement workshops. The best part is, you can easily gift an SMA membership through their website.
If you are from the UK, consider gifting a membership from the sister organization, the Stage Management Association. They offer many of the same perks as the United States organization, just across the pond! View their membership options here.
2) glow tape dots
price: $18
Theatre companies usually don’t splurge on specifics like this glow dots, even though they are really useful to stage managers. As a result, we can’t get them unless we pay for them out of pocket, which is why I put them on this list! If you want to surprise your stage manager with something they’ll use on every show, buy them a few rolls of glow dots.
buy here: Amazon (affiliate)
3) multi-tool
price: $30-$100
I don’t know a stage manager who doesn’t own a multi-tool, but if you find out yours is working without one, it is your personal responsibility to buy them one. They are always useful to stage managers and they are an essential to any SM kit. Since this tool will get used so often, it will be nice to get them a high quality one. Leatherman never disappoints.
buy here: Amazon ($100) or Target ($30) (affiliates)
4) coffee or tea subscription
$15 /mo, with options for up to a year
This is a really great idea because staying caffeinated is an essential to our daily lives. I know that when I am working a show, my coffee intake increases as opening night approaches. It’s really nice to be able to make good coffee at home so you don’t have to spend your paycheck at Starbucks, which is why I think a coffee subscription is great gift for a stage manager, or anyone working in theatre for that matter. If you know your stage manager doesn’t drink coffee, you could go for a tea subscription box instead.
5) portable reading light
price: $14
I portable reading light may not seem like much, but honestly I can’t count the number of times I’ve wished I had one while working backstage. Sometimes the dim blue lights are not enough and you need just a little pit of help reading your script or your running sheet. A small book like works perfectly without risking the extra light bleeding onto the stage. I promise, this gift will get used.
buy here: Amazon (affiliate)
6) portable power bank
price: $26-$32
Stage managers are constantly using their electronics all day, so having the security of a power bank is really nice in rehearsal or even performances. Sometimes we even have to use our phones for communication backstage, so it’s important to keep them charged and ready to use.
buy here: Amazon ($26) or Target ($32) (affiliates)
7) a coffee (or tea) mug!
price: $20-$45
I’ve never been to a rehearsal room that didn’t have a coffee machine (it’s actually required to provide coffee at the workplace by AEA), and some companies even provide a mug to each member of the company. However, it can be boring to use the same white mug with your name labelled on the outside like everyone else. I love bringing my own mug to rehearsals so I can easily tell which one is mine. Plus, there’s just a comfort in having your mug at rehearsal every day, ya know? Below are some pottery artists to check out!
8) laptop stickers
price: varies
This is by far the most economically friendly choice to make, but it isn’t lacking in fun! There are plenty of stage management stickers out there on the internet, and you’re bound to find a handful that your stage manager will like. I personally have my laptop and water bottle covered in stickers. Below are some of my favorite places to buy stickers:
The Management Experience on Etsy
Redbubble (affiliate)
9) Techs Against Humanity card game
price: $24
If you’re just looking for a fun gift to give your stage manager, this will surely do the trick. Inspired by Cards Against Humanity, this game is specific to techies in the theatre world, and is sure to provide hours of entertainment in the Green Room. Be aware, this game is rated for players 17 and up.
buy here: https://ninjasgo.com/collections/catalog/products/techs-against-insanity
10) kit supplies
price: varies
When in doubt, go for the office supplies section! You can buy them a cute pair of scissors, some sticky tabs for marking their scripts, highlighters, pens, you name it! Check out my posts for more inspiration on buying kit supplies for your stage manager.
What’s in My Stage Manager’s Kit?