The Production Manager's Toolkit: Successful Production Management in Theatre and Performing Arts

The Production Manager’s Toolkit Second Edition offers an up-to-date, comprehensive introduction to a theatrical and special event production career for new and aspiring professionals, given by expert voices in the field.

The book discusses management techniques, communication skills, and relationship building tactics to become effective and successful production managers. With a focus on management theory, top production managers provide insights into budgeting, scheduling, meetings, hiring, maintaining safety, and more. Through interviews and case studies, production management techniques are explored throughout various entertainment genres including theatre, dance, opera, music, and special events. The second edition includes all new case studies, new chapters, and updated content throughout, showcasing a continued progressive approach to the job and the field.

Filled with references, tools, templates, and checklists, The Production Manager’s Toolkit is an invaluable resource for students of Production Management, Events Management, and Stage Management courses, as well as new and aspiring professionals.

The book includes access to a companion website featuring downloadable paperwork and links to other useful resources such as unions, venues, and vendors. (www.routledge.com/cw/gillett)

Cary Gillett has worked as a production manager and stage manager in the Maryland/Washington DC area for over two decades. Cary is currently the General Manager of the Washington DC branch of the event production company ON Services. In addition, she has worked as a production manager for the Baltimore Center Stage, the University of Maryland in College Park, the Round House Theatre, the Potomac Theatre Project and the Helen Hayes Awards, celebrating theatre in the Washington DC area. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland in College Park, Howard Community College and an annual visiting professor at the National Academy for Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing. Cary serves as a board member for the United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT) and is the chair of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Social Justice committee.

Jay Sheehan has been overseeing the production management and stage management areas of the School of Theatre, Television and Film at San Diego State University for 23 years, and was the recipient of the USITT Wally Russel Award for Outstanding Mentorship in 2022. In addition to teaching stage management, production management, event planning, and live concert production. He also created and leads the Certificate in Entertainment Management Program.

He is a 30-year member of Actor's Equity and spent his early career at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Jay has also held positions including Director of Production and Operations for the San Diego Symphony and for House of Blues, where he oversaw all operational aspects of the 20,000-seat Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California. Jay currently serves as the Director of Concert Operations for the Richter Entertainment Group, an independently owned live entertainment company that has been producing events internationally since the early 1990s. He is also the owner of his own production company, Cue One Productions, whose event list includes NFL Super Bowl and Major League Baseball's All-Star Game Special Events. He also produces many charity galas across the United States.