Last night I jumped out of my seat and almost my clear-com headset when a child said, “Hi. My name is Claire. When I grow up, I want to be a Stage Manager.” It’s true! I was excited and then wanted to ask Jami if anyone had mentioned any interest in designing lights. They would have a great intro to the profession in these formative years if they told her.
Of course, the glory in such a comment came the knowledge that I had some sort of influence on her life. If tomorrow she wanted to be a teacher or tour leader or auntie, more power to Claire. But the power of her shout out made me think of the millions of characteristics that we exhibit each day and the ones that people, especially young ones, emulate. Does she desire such a job because of the duties: leading sound check, spiking the stage, getting up early and staying up late, eating ice cream after the show, wearing cool operator-type headsets, dressing in black all the time, putting pencils and sharpies in my hair, and running around like a wise chicken with its head cut off? Is it the power she sees I have, telling the children what to see, where to go, how fast and when? Does she perhaps want the job for more profound reasons: teaching, directing and helping people know how to do their best work, creating an environment of comfort for performers, collaborating with various experts to put on the best production possible, supporting individuals in life as they work? I don’t know if she sees any of these opportunities for her future. Perhaps she just knew me and knew my title, a unique job that might get a laugh or clap!
As I wrote the far from complete list of characteristics I exude, the written ones helped me recall the important aspects of my job that I need to do with gusto and focus, with as much enthusiasm as I had for the mention of a child’s possible future career in stage management.
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