<p>So, I have recently decided on Randolph-Macon (a very small liberal arts college in VA) for my undergraduate degree and I was wondering if it matters what undergraduate school you go to if you want to pursue a career in stage management. I plan on going to graduate school but I am worrying about my choice in undergraduate. I do not oppose the idea of transferring after a year but I really do love RM-C.</p>
<p>The only stage manager I know went to James Madison University, back in the day when the place didn’t have the top notch performing arts venue it has now. She double majored in theater and something else and worked her tail off on productions, I’m guessing, because she’s very successful, having been the stage manager for “Ragtime” at the Kennedy Center and the upcoming production of Follies there too.</p>
<p>[A</a> life between stages - The Washington Post](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/a-life-between-stages/2011/03/16/AFqiP8wC_story.html]A”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/a-life-between-stages/2011/03/16/AFqiP8wC_story.html)</p>
<p>Did it matter where she went to undergrad? I don’t know. But she didn’t go to grad school. I think it was a combination of hard work, luck and taking advantage of every undergraduate opportunity she had to get where she is today.</p>
<p>If you are happy at RM-C, take advantage of every opportunity you have there and in the local community, work at theaters during the summer and try to land an apprenticeship like this one after graduation. But go into that application process being able to show that you’ve worked on many school productions and enhanced your credentials in the summer.</p>
<p>[The</a> Studio Theatre | Internship / Apprenticeship](<a href=“http://www.studiotheatre.org/education/internship.aspx]The”>http://www.studiotheatre.org/education/internship.aspx)</p>
<p>A BFA from a name theater school is the shortest route to stage management but internships and apprenticeships work too. It may take you longer to get there but if this is what you really want, who you really are, you will not be wasting your time getting that liberal arts education.</p>