We’re looking for a Stage Manager to support a small scale tour of Shiny, a 40 minute sensory spectacle especially made for 0-4 year olds. We need a highly-organised, flexible Stage Manager, with relevant experience, to support the rehearsal period and tour of the show.
JOB SUMMARY
Responsible to: Producer (Helen Willmott) and Director (Liz Clark)
Responsible for: Managing all touring and technical areas of a small-scale tour.
Fee: £800 per week *(plus accommodation, travel and per diems if working away from home.)
Key dates:
23rd-27th Nov Rehearsals (Manchester)
1st-4th Dec Rehearsals (Manchester)
5th and 6th Dec Performances Wonder Arts (Wigan & St Helens)
9th Dec Rehearsal (Manchester)
10th Dec Tech and get in Z Arts, Manchester
11th-13th Dec Performances Z Arts
17th-20th Dec Performances Z Arts
22nd-24th Dec Performances Z Arts
27th-30th Dec Performances Z Arts
5 and 6th Feb 2027 Performances Made With Many, Corby/Wellingborough, tbc
8th-13th Mar 2027 Performances Polka Theatre, London
17th-21st Mar 2027 Performances Polka Theatre, London
12th-16th Apr 2027 Performances Playground, Kent
Usual working hours
Rehearsal days 9am-5.30pm
Show days 8.30am-4.30pm
Key objectives:
Turned On Its Head create participatory theatre for babies aged six months – children aged 4 and their families. The company is touring their a new imagining of their show “Shiny”. We are looking for an experienced enthusiastic individual to join this vibrant and exciting small touring team. This is a multi-skilled position and applicants will need to demonstrate a range of organisational and technical skills and have experience in small-scale touring theatre environment.
A trailer of the show can be found here
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Stage Manager’s primary role is to ensure that all the lighting, sound, props and stage requirements are met on tour. As such, they may be expected to work unsupervised and operate a venue's technical systems in accordance with their Health and Safety procedures. They should behave in a professional and considerate manner in all dealings with colleagues and venues.
Key Tasks
- Prepare all props/set required for the production – ensuring the required amount is available and in complete working order.
- Work closely with dancers and keep them informed of all changes.
- Keep all paperwork up to date and assist in the maintaining of accurate records of the production (queue sheet, show reports, front of house briefing)
- Operate lighting and sound consoles (sound run from QLab).
- Manage fit-up/rig and strike of set, LX, & sound of all performances
- Ensure work is carried out in accordance with each venues Health and Safety Policy; making sure team members are aware of the requirements and informing the dancers if further instruction is required.
- Liaising with venues to ensure all equipment and technical requirements are met
- Liaising with venue to ensure that all FOH staff have been briefed and know what their roles are during the performance.
- Drive the company van (if appropriate) and ensure that journey schedules are adhered to.
- Assisting with prop construction and maintenance as well as costume maintenance – and to communicate any issues or repairs needed to Artistic Director and/or Producer.
- Carry out any other duties relevant to the post.
- To report back to the Producer and/or the Artistic Director on matters that need a change of risk assessment, change of seating or music.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The Technical Manager will need to be self-motivated and will need to possess the following skills, experience, abilities and knowledge:
Technical
- Experience of Stage Managing touring work
- Knowledge of Health and Safety procedures
- Experience of safe rigging practices
- Maintenance and PAT test experience
- Good understanding of stage systems and techniquesExperience of focusing a wide variety of lighting equipmentExperience of using sound systemsA varied knowledge of all theatrical technical areasThe ability to read and action lighting plans.Experience of following Risk Assessments Ability to make minor repairs and maintain props as and when needed
Personal
- Excellent communication skills
- The ability to work unsupervised
- Motivation to maintain a positive work environment
- The ability to problem solve quickly and work to tight deadlines
- The ability to work unsociable hours
- Full and clean driver’s license and own transport (may be required to drive a small van)
- Based within commuting distance of Manchester desirable
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application Deadline: 9am on Monday 18th May 2026
Interview Dates: Friday 29th May 2026
To apply please send a CV, cover letter and 2 referees toliz@turnedonitshead.org
Please include the following in your application:
Any relevant experience touring small-scale work, and in particular any reference to working within immersive and/or children theatre.Why you are interested in this roleWhy you think you would be the right person for the jobWhat you think the challenges and highlights of this role would be
ABOUT TURNED ON ITS HEAD
Everything we do as a dance company is designed to move, uplift & challenge people to see the world differently. Dance has an extraordinary ability to enable us to express emotions, ideas & stories without words. We aim to connect people across cultures & backgrounds, creating shared experiences that transcend language.
We specialise in early years dance, making projects and performances where children understand that their creative futures start now. Performers model improvisatory practices focused on interaction that feels like “love” leading to adults challenging the notion of children’s agency and their ability to create spontaneous, urgent, powerful and unique dance.
Audiences and participants tell us about the impact we have on their lives; joy, belonging, creative expression & well-being. We blend improvisation and choreography (play and performance) to not only tell our story but also the stories of those who enter our performance & co-creation spaces. We perform nationally and internationally and we are company in residence at Pen Green Children’s Centre and Research base in Corby.
The project we invite you to apply for is a re-imagining of our seminal work Shiny.
2012-2014The original show features two dancers who find themselves in a long-forgotten room. Through the course of the show, they find friendship, joy and treasures that turn from ordinary to extraordinary. The audience watch dance and discover throughout the show and are dazzled by all that glitters which unfolds before their very eyes.
Original show images Photo: Teresa O.Neill
The 2012-2014 show was set in the late 1930’s/early 1940’s with a score by Shostakovich peppered with Vivaldi and a few modern twists. The design has very much been influenced by that era also, evoking memories of the past.
We co-created the show with communities in Leicester/shire. Our work had the power to speak and connect with people from a range of backgrounds and circumstances, especially those who have never experienced dance before. We created the core ideas/themes for the show working with identified groups exploring dancing together through our unique brand of accessible workshops. We love to bring people together to celebrate dancing.