INTERNATIONAL DAYGENERAL

International Stage Management Day

Every flawless performance you have ever seen ran on the calm focus of a stage manager. International Stage Management Day puts those behind-the-scenes pros in the spotlight they never ask for but always earn.

OCT10

Saturday, October 10Every year on October 10

days to go

Roots: Established in 2013 by the Stage Managers' Association (SMA).
Also on Oct 10: World Hospice and Palliative Care Day · International African Penguin Awareness Day · World Day Against the Death Penalty
Hashtag: #InternationalStageManagementDay

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3 ways to celebrate

AT HOME

Host a theater movie night

Stream a backstage film like The Producers or Camp and pause to spot the stage manager moments hiding in every scene.

WITH FRIENDS

Post a backstage tribute

Share a photo from your favorite live show and tag a stage manager you know, with a note of thanks for the invisible work.

AT WORK OR SCHOOL

Invite a guest speaker

Ask your local theater to send a stage manager to talk to your class or team about running a show. Bring questions about the headset and the cue light.

Plan ahead

International Stage Management Day is observed on October 10 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Sat, Oct 10this year

2027Sun, Oct 10

2028Tue, Oct 10

2029Wed, Oct 10

2030Thu, Oct 10

2031Fri, Oct 10

2032Sun, Oct 10

2033Mon, Oct 10

2034Tue, Oct 10

2035Wed, Oct 10

2036Fri, Oct 10

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Fast facts

The first observance was joined by countries including New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and the USA.

Peter Lawrence is the only stage manager ever to win a Tony Award.

The story

The first Stage Management Day was held on October 10, 2013. According to SMA executive director Andy Rowley, countries around the world observed the day, including New Zealand, Australia, the UK, the USA, and throughout Europe. The worldwide response was so strong that it became International Stage Management Day.

Read the full story

Stage managers are the bridge between creative and technical teams. They build rehearsal schedules, coordinate props, costumes, lighting, and sound, call the cues during live performances, and keep everyone calm when something goes sideways.

They are the director's right hand, as nationaldaycalendar.com puts it, and they rarely take a bow. October 10 is the one day of the year the theater world turns its spotlight on the people who keep the show moving.

Did you know?

Born in 2013

The day started as a single-country Stage Management Day and earned the word International after theaters worldwide joined in.

The first stage manager

The first recorded use of the term stage manager dates to 1893, though the role's roots stretch back to the 1600s.

Cue callers

During live performances, stage managers often call the lighting, sound, and scene-change cues themselves.

The Tony exception

Peter Lawrence remains the only stage manager ever to win a Tony Award, a fact that says plenty about how unsung this profession is.

The hashtag of the day

Stage managers celebrate online with tags like #StageMgmtDay, #ThankAStageManager, #SMDay, and #WeAreSMs.

Around the world

Every culture celebrates a little differently.

GBUnited KingdomOne of the first countries to observe the day, with theater companies spotlighting their stage management teams each October 10.
USUnited StatesAmerican stage managers mark the day by sharing rehearsal photos and cue-sheet snapshots across social media.
AUAustraliaTheater companies across Australia joined the inaugural 2013 observance, helping give the day its international reach.
NZNew ZealandNew Zealand productions were among the first to take part, with stage managers hosting open backstage conversations.
EUEuropeTheaters throughout Europe observe the day with webinars, workshops, and meetups for stage management professionals.