Backstage Breakdown

Allison and Elizabeth chat with Cheryl Mintz about her decades long career in stage management. Cheryl has worked professionally on Broadway and with leading Theater, Ballet, and Opera companies and productions, while also being active on the Stage Managers Association Executive Board, producing the Del Hughes awards, and teaching at Montclair State University.    Cheryl Mintz’s 42-year career as...

Evangeline is a seasoned stage manager who has worked on and off Broadway, on national tours, regionally, and currently teaches future stage managers at Webster University how to thrive in the theater world.    BIO: Evangeline has worked on and off Broadway, in regional theatres across the country, on international and national tours, with ballet and contemporary dance companies, and with large-sc...

Jay Sheehan sits down with Allison & Elizabeth and has a candid conversation about mental health in both the classroom and the workplace.  Jay talks about his own challenges while encouraging others.  A multi hyphenate creative with an impressive resume who reminds us that no matter how far your career takes you, it’s important to never lose your belief in yourself and your compassion for othe...

Jamie Torres (He/They) is a multi-hyphenate theater creative who thrives during the chaos and doesn’t back down from their beliefs.    BIO: Jaime is a theatre artist born and raised in NYC, growing up in the Bronx, Jaime starting dancing at the age of 7 and then singing in middle school, it wasn’t long until they were in love with theatre. Unfortunately college for theatre wasn’t an option so they...

Priscilla is a managerial mastermind. She is an AEA Stage Manager and an ATPAM Company Manager who has a plethora of experience in managerial roles on various levels of theatre in New York City and beyond.  Bio: Priscilla Villanueva is a New York-based stage manager and AEA member. They have graduated from City College of New York with a B.A in Theatre. They have worked for The Bushwick Starr, The...

Leon is an all around super human multi-hyphenate with professional experience as an actor, company manager, marketing manager,  general manager, and producer on the regional, Off-Broadway, and Broadway stages.    BIO: An award-winning creative producer, artistic administrator, multi-hyphenate, Leon Jones (they/he) is committed to creating space for other BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ artists on stage and off. L...

Jen Ash is a phenomenal stage manager who has worked extensively as a Stage Manager in New York, on Tour, and beyond. She talks openly with us about the professional world, friendships, and how to balance business and pleasure.      Bio: Broadway: A  Wonderful World, Days of Wine and Roses, SIX, POTUS, Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked  Tours: Come From Away, Hadestown, Wicked, IF/THEN, Off-Broadway: CATS:...

Kyra Bowie is a performer turned amazing stage manager who has worked extensively in the new york city theatre world. She talks with us about her journey to being “behind the table" and   Kyra Bowie is a NY based Stage Manager and co-founder of Transcend Streaming. Projects that excite Kyra are new works, technically challenging productions, and stories that bring up questions that might not alway...

Amanda Spooner is an accomplished stage manager and educator.  Amanda talks with us about all things backstage.  She is now working on Purple Rain The Musical, a dream come-true that she manifested years before.     Amanda Spooner is an AEA Stage Manager and Educator, who came to Ithaca from New York City. She has worked on and off-Broadway, regionally, on tour, in events, on immersive experiences...

Rian talks to us about their life on and off-broadway and breaks down what a child guardian actually does. Rian explains how hard young artists work and the trials and tribulations of advocating for them.    Rian Buksbazen is a multi-hyphenate creative and theatrical specialist. Their work as a child guardian can be seen on shows like Leopoldstadt, Trevor the Musical off-Broadway and on Disney+, I...

Tyler Crow talks to us about his college experience studying Stage Management, getting in the room as a Stage Manager, his love of new works, and the work life balance of it all.    Broadway: The Notebook, The Cottage. Off-Broadway: What Became of Us (Atlantic Theater Company), Good Enemy (Audible Theater), Breathless; we were promised honey! (59E59), Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (New Vic). Na...

Aldora Neal talks to us about how she got into Stage Management, touring as the Assistant Stage Manager on the Hamilton Phillip tour, working on Broadway and how she manages it all.    ALDORA NEAL is a Brooklyn native who blends her duality of stage management and dance. Her love for Hiphop, dance, and bringing people together naturally makes her an "Organized Creative". These passions have landed...

Rachael Ellis talks to us about the various levels of theatre and her time working for City Theatre in Pittsburgh.    RACHAEL ELLIS (she/they) is honored to serve as the Company Manager for City Theatre in Pittsburgh, and also loves being a part of the Patron Services team as a Box Office Associate. Over the years, Rachael has worked in various production, managerial, and patron-based positions. H...

Matthew Stern talks to us about his career and life on Broadway and what it means for a Stage Manager to make the transition to the world of events. We talk about management, finances, the collegiate world, and what it means to dedicate your life to the world of theatre.     MATTHEW AARON STERN has extensive credits on both Broadway and in corporate events. Broadway stage management credits on 20+...

Welcome to Backstage Breakdown, a podcast dedicated to shedding light on the backstage world of theater and the humans who make it all happen. Join Allison Leah Hohman and Elizabeth Hathaway Emond as they interview Stage Managers and Creatives in the arts community about the magic happening backstage.