Production Manager

The Laguna Playhouse; Laguna Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Laguna Playhouse, a nationally acclaimed nonprofit theatre in Laguna Beach, CA, seeks a Production Manager to ensure productions are delivered on schedule and within budgets. You will work closely with the Technical Director, artistic leadership, designers, stage managers, and production personnel as the central coordinator across departments.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in professional theater production, strong scheduling and budgeting skills, and the ability to manage multiple

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional theatrical production experience.
• Experience in production management or leadership in professional theater.
• Understanding of scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, props, and stage management.
• Experience developing and managing production schedules and budgets.
• Able to work evenings and weekends as schedules require.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and monitor production schedules from concept through close, across multiple productions running in parallel.
• Build and manage production budgets, track spending against approved allocations, and flag variances before they become problems.
• Coordinate across scenic, lighting, sound, costume, props, and stage management to resolve conflicts and keep productions moving.
• Supervise production staff and manage performance, scheduling, and day-to-day direction.
• Manage vendor relationships and purchasing for production needs, including contracts and invoices within approved authority.
• Serve as the primary liaison between artistic leadership and production departments on timelines, resources, and technical feasibility.
• Anticipate production risks, make timely decisions, and elevate issues appropriately.
• Maintain accurate production documentation, including schedules, budgets, and post-production reports.
• Ensure production operations comply with all applicable safety, labor, and workplace regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Production management

Budgeting

Scheduling

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Evening/weekend availability

Tools

Spreadsheets

Office software

Scheduling software

Job description

ABOUT LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE

Laguna Playhouse is a nationally acclaimed, non-profit, professional theatre located steps away from the Pacific Ocean in the charming arts colony of Laguna Beach, California. As a cultural anchor for our community and a leader in contemporary American theatre, we produce innovative plays and musical that entertain, challenge, and inspire diverse audiences. With an annual budget of [amount] and a dynamic team of artists and administrators, we maintain the highest standards of financial stewardship while advancing our artistic mission.

ABOUT THE CULTURE

Laguna Playhouse fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and creatively enriching environment that encourages authenticity and bold ideas. We are deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, transgender, non-binary, and those from communities historically underrepresented in the theater industry.

The right candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about supporting a thriving, mission-driven performing arts organization. You will work cross-functionally with leadership, artistic staff, and development teams to maintain financial accuracy and operational excellence. This role values integrity, proactive communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic nonprofit environment.

Position Summary

The Production Manager ensures productions are delivered on schedule, within approved budgets, and in line with the artistic and operational goals of Laguna Playhouse. This role works closely with the Technical Director, artistic leadership, designers, stage managers, and production personnel, and serves as the central point of coordination across production departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and monitor production schedules from concept through close, across multiple productions running in parallel.
• Build and manage production budgets, track spending against approved allocations, and flag variances before they become problems.
• Coordinate across scenic, lighting, sound, costume, props, and stage management to resolve conflicts and keep productions moving.
• Supervise production staff and manage performance, scheduling, and day-to-day direction.
• Manage vendor relationships and purchasing for production needs, including contracts and invoices within approved authority.
• Serve as the primary liaison between artistic leadership and production departments on timelines, resources, and technical feasibility.
• Anticipate production risks, make timely decisions, and elevate issues appropriately.
• Maintain accurate production documentation, including schedules, budgets, and post-production reports.
• Ensure production operations comply with all applicable safety, labor, and workplace regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of professional theatrical production experience, including demonstrated management or supervisory responsibilities.
• Experience in production management, production coordination, or a comparable leadership role in professional theater.
• Strong understanding of theatrical production processes, including scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, props, and stage management.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing production schedules and budgets.
• Experience working with professional designers, stage managers, technicians, and production personnel.
• Proficiency with standard office software, spreadsheets, and production scheduling tools.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as production schedules require.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Production planning and scheduling
• Production budget development and financial management
• Ability to read technical drawings and design documentation
• Working knowledge of sound, lighting, and A/V systems
• Coordinating multiple departments and competing priorities simultaneously
• Sound judgment, problem-solving, and timely decision-makingClear, direct communication with artistic, technical, and administrative teams
• Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises production staff and has direct reports. Supervisory duties include hiring input, scheduling, performance feedback, and day-to-day direction, in accordance with Laguna Playhouse policies.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Laguna Playhouse is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Qualified applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application and interview process.