ABOUT US

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet enriches the human experience by teaching, creating, and performing outstanding dance. Located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, the RWB plays an integral role in the city’s vibrant arts community. Founded in 1939, the RWB holds the double distinction of being Canada’s premiere ballet company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America. In 1953, the Company received its royal title, the first granted under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

The RWB is a leader, renowned for classical ballet and for pushing the boundaries of dance, including through the prestigious RWB School and its Professional and Recreational divisions. A fully integrated company and school, the RWB builds on strengths, challenges conventions, inspires artists, moves audiences, and builds connections locally and globally that unite us all through the universal language of dance.

ABOUT WINNIPEG

Winnipeg is the vibrant capital city of Manitoba and is well known for its cultural achievement, flourishing arts scene, and welcoming spirit. As one of the most economically and culturally diverse cities in Canada, Winnipeg is cementing its reputation as a community with growth opportunities in every industry and sector. A growing film and sound industry complements the economic matrix of the city. Attractions in the city include the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Rainbow Stage, Centennial Concert Hall, Prairie Theatre Exchange, and much more.

THE ROLE

The Stage Manager is responsible for the stage management of the RWB Professional Ballet Company, including stage productions, educational, promotional, or other presentations or appearances that require performance elements. The Stage Manager coordinates the Artistic and Production management teams and ensures effective communication between a variety of groups, including dancers, technicians, and staff.

This is a unionized position under the agreement between the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) and the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (Equity). The seasonal contract is for a minimum of 40 weeks, from June 29, 2026 to May 10, 2027.

Duties and Responsibilities

•     Manage and track schedules for rehearsals, fittings, notes sessions, interviews, and performances.

•     Act as the liaison between departments in the daily management of productions to ensure efficient operations.

•     Schedule and lead meetings involving production elements that directly affect Stage Management.

•     Work with Artistic and Production teams to coordinate and communicate with heads of departments.

•     Assemble and maintain promptbook, ensuring accurate and up-to-date cue sheets, plots, and daily records as necessary for technical and artistic operations of productions.

•     Create a complete digital archive of productions and submit promptbook upon conclusion of each production.

•     Document Stage Management related elements for productions, share and distribute notes and information to relevant departments.

•     Communicate with required Artistic staff on run times and issues with technical elements of productions.

•     Work closely with the management team and external creative teams to create documentation related to new builds.

•     Support the creation of entrance/exit charts for the Wardrobe department to assist with dresser tracks and wardrobe tracking.

•     Produce and distribute rehearsal and performance reports. 

•     Ensure rehearsal studios at venues have the resources required to meet planned rehearsals; prepare audio and video files, spike scenic elements, provide props and other production elements.

•     Attend rehearsals to understand the choreography to integrate the lighting and technical cues.

•     Ensure production elements such as properties, music, costumes and spike marks are provided for studio rehearsals.

•     Compile and maintain digital files such as tracking sheets, blocking, and scene breakdowns for each ballet.

•     Collaborate with the Artistic department and/or Choreographer in obtaining, editing, and producing the music for ballets, and deliver audio playback in studio.

•     Communicate with the production team regarding the production and assist in preparing the team with paper techs and rehearsals.

•     Attend rehearsals and performances.

•     Assist lighting with special focus, cueing options, and cueing sessions.

•     Ensure theatre rules, policies, and procedures are understood and communicated to dancers and staff.

•     Post dressing room assignments for Artists and set up callboard with required information.

•     Confirm with Wardrobe and Artistic staff on casting and program.

•     Spike appropriate specials and scenery placement.

•     Arrange videotaping of performances for archival purposes as required.

•     Examine paging systems, house curtain, cueing systems, and their operation.

•     Collaborate with Production Manager and/or Heads of Departments to problem solve issues that arise during load-in, and on-stage rehearsals and performances.

•     Run and control performances including the making of “calls.”

•     Oversee calling of lighting cues, movement of scenic elements, sound elements, technical elements, and performers.

•     Manage backstage areas during performances.

•     Assist Artists on matters related to their physical well-being and safe working conditions and facilitate consultation with Production and Artistic staff.

WORK SETTING

This position works in a studio setting interacting with, observing, and supporting dancers, and further works with standard office equipment, sittings for periods of time performing keyboarding activities. Physical demands of the position may include movements associated with ballet in a dance studio or other facilities. Work outside of regular office hours is required during evenings and weekends, and out-of-town travel.

WHAT YOU BRING

•     Post-secondary education in a Technical or Production field, or equivalent relevant experience.

•     Experience working within a unionized and office environment in the performing arts.

•     5 years experience as a Stage Manager, preferably in a dance company.

•     Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and Audio and Video playback applications.

•     Strong knowledge of health and safety legislation and best practices in the performing arts industry.

•     Ability to ready music, follow a score and create a calling score for a new show.

•     Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

•     Highly organized, detail oriented and capable of juggling multiple tasks under time constraints with ease.

•     Sound judgment and decision-making abilities.

•     Thrives in a fast-paced environment

HOW TO APPLY

Ready to join our team? Tell us about yourself! Submit your application to . We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

As part of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet hiring process, successful candidates will be required to submit a satisfactory Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Registry Check.

Closing Date: May 30, 2026.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is committed to an inclusive and diverse environment that values, respects and supports all individuals. We aim to have a workforce representative of the diversity within our community, and welcome and encourage applicants from various backgrounds including women, Indigenous people, racialized people, disabled people, people of all sexual and gender identities and others who may contribute to further diversification endeavors.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is committed to providing accessible employment while ensuring our recruitment process is barrier free. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the assessment and selection process. Requests for accommodation can be sent to .