Garry Ferguson: Production manager

Garry Ferguson says that it takes a good understanding and experience of all aspects of theatre to become a production manager. Much of his job at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre involves delegating work to people in six different departments: stage management, lighting, carpentry, technical, wardrobe and props. To be effective, he believes you need good communication skills and a good working knowledge of each department. Crucially, the production manager decides upon the allocation of the production budget between different departments and it is his responsibility to make sure that the production stays within that budget. Sometimes it falls to Garry to tell a director or a designer that their vision cannot be fully realised with the budget available. This takes tact, skill and self-confidence.

Garry says that he can really see the fruits of his labour when he watches the final performance and sees everything run smoothly. He loves his job and says that it's a dream to get paid for doing what he loves.

Find out more about being a production manager.