What is Project, Production, and Stage Management?

If creative design is the heart of a live event, the management team is the brain and skeleton that keeps it functioning. It’s a hierarchy of support that ensures every show happens on time, on budget, and exactly as imagined.

Project Management sits at the top level, overseeing the entire lifecycle of an event or campaign. It’s the bridge between the client’s goals and the technical reality. A Project Manager handles the high-level strategy, contracts, and stakeholder relationships to ensure the big picture stays in focus. This role often encompasses Tour Management as well—handling the complex logistics of moving a show from city to city, managing travel, and ensuring the production quality remains consistent, whether it’s night one or night fifty.

Production Management handles the "how." Once the project goals are set, the Production Manager (PM) takes over the technical logistics, budgeting, and problem-solving. They figure out the nuts and bolts: how to build the set safely, how to source the right gear, and how to hire the best crew to get the job done.

Stage Management handles the "now." Once the event starts, the Stage Manager (SM) is the pilot. They are the calm voice in the headset calling every cue—lights, sound, and video—in perfect sync. They manage the flow of people and scenery backstage, ensuring that if a problem pops up, the audience never sees it.

At 10th Floor Productions, we view these roles as the key to a seamless production. Whether it's a touring show or a one-off corporate gala, we handle the spreadsheets, schedules, and stress so that the creators can focus on one thing: putting on an unforgettable performance.