Meet the High School Stage Managers Running the Show

From the audience, Frisco ISD’s high school theater productions run like a professional operation. Actors hit their marks, orchestras play on cue, lights illuminate soloists, the curtain falls at intermission.

But behind the scenes, a flock of technical theater students is quietly making it happen, ensuring their audiences don't see any rough edges as they work with calm, focused leadership. These are the stage managers of Frisco ISD.

Stage managers play assistant to their theater directors, leading a team of students who work hard to make high school productions run.

What do they do? What don’t they do — that’s the question.

Stage managers write down blocking, keep track of choreography for lighting, teach less experienced crew members how to use equipment, coordinate crew during performances, schedule rehearsals, and communicate important information from the director to the cast and crew. They train future stage managers, take attendance and call the show. They manage other technicians in charge of costumes, props, sound, lights and makeup.

“The stage manager is at the helm of the ship during our productions,” said Olivia Cantrell, technical theater director at Wakeland High School. “As teachers, we are sitting in the audience and any mishaps, issues or problems are communicated to and solved by the stage manager. They are truly the thread that ties a show together.”

Aaron Yowell, tech theater director at Liberty High School, said such high expectations call for a person with exceptional skills in organization, leadership, mental endurance and communication — someone who can “balance the technical with the tactical.”

“I joke about it, but I encourage their Google Folders to have folders,” he said. And once full-show rehearsals start, stage managers “are the primary engines of the room — leading the crews and ensuring every moving part stays perfectly on track.”

Students have greater opportunity to lead as stage managers in Frisco ISD because of the student opportunity model. More high schools mean more chances to make an impact in curricular and extracurricular activities, such as theater.

So next time you marvel at the rich, detailed worlds unfolding on a Frisco ISD high school stage, remember the tech theater students and the stage managers — and give another round of applause.

Learn more about the 2025-26 high school theater stage managers by clicking below.