The Backstage Creative

On this solo anniversary episode of The Backstage Creative I talk about the similarities between running ultramarathons and being an artist. 

Heather Augustine is a sound engineer currently getting ready to go out on tour with Mean Girls. We talk about her ten years of touring experience, making mistakes, and why she enjoys mixing shows. 

Miguel Flores is a Boston based production manager. We talk about setting boundaries, the Boston theater scene, and communication. 

Celia Kasberg is currently pursing her MFA at Carnegie Mellon University. We talk about working on a degree during a pandemic, advice for people looking for a college to go to, and the structure of a costume shop. 

Katie Spelman is a New York City based Choreographer. We talk about her work on Moulin Rouge, issues facing women in the industry, and how growing up in Chicago has influenced her work. 

Ana Maria Aburto is a New York City based painter. We talk about her favorite projects to work on, skills needed to do her job, and what she is excited about right now. 

Emma Ford is a New York City based drummer. We talk about the Australian theater scene, playing on the Australian production of Hamilton, and how running has benefitted her life. 

Tara Houston is a scenic designer and painter based in Louisiana. We talk about some of the issues in higher education, being a community based artist, and managing priorities.  

Paul Thompson is a Pittsburgh based bassist. We talk about being in the moment, what he likes about teaching, and the importance of keeping the music first. 

Harry Nadal is New York City based costume and scenic designer. We talk about knowledge being a safety net, how he gets unstuck in the design process, and what he is excited about right now. 

Beth Lake is a New York City based sound designer. We talk about deciding what projects to take on, her favorite parts of being an associate sound designer, and being a women in the sound world. 

Shantez Tolbut is a theater artist in New York City. We talk about Black Stage Everything, theater education, and entrepreneurial advice. 

German Martinez is a New York City based sound designer and audio engineer. We talk about taking time to ask big questions, the importance of telling first generation stories, and keeping calm as an audio engineer. 

Cynthia Meng is a New York City based musician. We talk about working on Hadestown, deciding when to leave a day job, and the benefits of thinking like an engineer. 

Jamie Roderick is a New York City based lighting designer. We talk about growing up in the theater industry. building rapport with other collaborators, and working on new works. 

Salmah Beydoun is a set designer who works in Mexico City and LA. We talk about Salmah's background in architecture, working in Mexico, and asking quality questions.  

Aria Evans is a Toronto based choreographer. We talk about elitism in the arts, inviting people into the artistic process, and body intelligence. 

Melissa Crespo is a multi-disciplinary theater artist based in New York City. We talk about decision fatigue, honesty with respect, and the Werking Artist podcast. 

Crystal Lee is a Toronto based production manager. We talk about the Canadian theater scene, how to make changes in the industry, and empowering others to do their jobs. 

Carolina Ortiz Herrera is a New York City based lighting designer. We talk about adaptability, supporting others' art, and the La Gente Network. 

Cherie B Tay is a New York City based stage manager. We talk about trusting the people you work with, Cherie's experience working on Hadestown, and getting into the voice over world. 

Johanna Pan and Shayna O'Neill recently started a podcast called Dirty Laundry: Unpacking the Costume Closet. We talk about the purpose of the podcast as well as issues in the theater world such as feminized labor and decolonizing costume history.

Deanna Choi is a Toronto based sound designer. We talk about her pandemic projects, favorite parts of the design process, and cultural appropriation in sound design. 

Rich Rosenzweig is a New York City based drummer. We talk about his podcast called Big Noise from Planet Earth, playing on Broadway, and touring. 

Mark Exline is a Kansas City based scenic designer and production manager. We talk about navigating the digital space when doing productions, the Kansas City theater scene, and empathy. 

Michi Egger is a New York City based guitarist. We talk about being on the SpongeBob SquarePants national tour, handling nerves, and the importance of being kind. 

Benjamin Stayner is currently pursuing a graduate degree from Ithaca College. We talk about what it's like pursuing a degree during the pandemic, working with singers versus instrumentalists, and looking on the positive side of difficult circumstances. 

Kristy Norter is a New York City based musician and contractor. We talk about working on Broadway, subbing as a musician, and the role of a music contractor. 

Jon Diener is a Michigan based musician. We talk about separating your worth from your art, imposter syndrome, and Jon's podcast Beyond the Spotlight. 

Cara Spencer is a Kansas City based scenic charge artist. We talk about the role of a scenic charge, the skills needed to do this job, and separating your identity from your work. 

Sara Sharos is a props master. We talk about all of the different jobs in props departments, Sara's path through the theater world, and what can help you stay in the industry when things get difficult. 

Bill Shinoski is a Kansas City based technical director. We talk about leadership, organization, and balancing work with life.

Paige Hernandez is a Maryland based theater artist. We talk about all of the different roles she fills in the theater world, imposter syndrome, and getting unstuck in the creative process. 

On this solo episode of the anniversary of TBC, I talk about quitting, the Resistance, and starting overwhelming projects. 

Luqman Brown is a New York City based sound designer and musician. We talk about Luqman's path into sound design, taking ego out of your art, and work as your reward. 

Jhanae Bonnick is a New York City based stage manager. We talk about her work on Hadestown and Slave Play, communicating effectively, and cultivating a healthy work environment. 

Tom Hipskind is a Chicago based drummer. We talk about the Chicago production of Hamilton, the importance of technique, and internalizing music. 

Ari Fulton is a New York City based costume designer. We talk about the books she has been reading during the pandemic, how diversity should be organic, and the importance of making mistakes. 

Brian Morgan is a trombonist who was touring with A Bronx Tale. We talk about touring, preparing for gigs, and finding love in what you do. 

Julianne Merrill is a music director based in New York City. We talk about building a network, pit technology, and audition coaching. 

Joanna Staub is a New York City based sound designer. We talk about diversity in sound design, mixing shows, and some of the realities of Broadway. 

Susan Sampliner is the company manager for Wicked on Broadway. We talk about what a company manager does, dealing with difficult people, and the Broadway Green Alliance. 

Emily Grishman is a New York City based music copyist. We talk about what a music copyist does, the importance of community, and changes in the industry over the past several decades. 

Kate Sutton-Johnson is a scenic designer based in the Twin Cities. We talk about measuring effectiveness, importance of transitions, and creativity. 

Robbie Cowan is a music director, singer, and pianist. We talk about doing theater during a pandemic, touring, and balancing ambition with satisfaction. 

Meredith Ries is a New York City based scenic designer. We talk about getting stuck in the design process, asking good questions, and the different ways to lead while creating. 

Nia Sciaretta is the production stage manager at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida. We talk about the Nia Explains It All videos, diffusing tense situations, and organization. 

Adriane Heflin is a Minneapolis based technical director. We talk about inviting collaboration, leadership, and effective communication. 

Kyra Sims is a New York City based musician, writer, and actor. We talk about subbing on Broadway, the New York Neo-Futurists, and working on off-Broadway. 

Anne McPherson stage manages in NYC. We talk about effective communication, self advocacy, and building trust with those you work with. 

Lawrence Moten is a New York City based scenic designer. We talk about self care, working on new plays, and the 2020 Antonyo Awards.